Re-visiting Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for High Rise Buildings

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (or PEEPs) are used to ensure that those who may need assistance can evacuate safely in an emergency, for example, persons with limited mobility, vision, or hearing. These are often used in situations such as healthcare premises, hotels, and residential educational establishments where people with restricted mobility may be present.

In 2021, following on from the Phase 1 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Government consulted on proposals that would make the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building legally responsible for preparing a PEEP for all residents whose ability to self-evacuate may be compromised and for including up-to-date information about persons with reduced mobility and their associated PEEPs in the premises information box.

While there was strong support for the proposal, significant concerns were also raised regarding the proportionality and practicality of introducing PEEPS as set out in the consultation. In 2022, the government launched a new consultation on alternative proposals to support the fire safety of residents whose ability to self-evacuate may be compromised.

On 2^nd September 2024, Rushanara Ali MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Building Safety and Homelessness, announced that “The Home Office will bring forward proposals in the autumn to improve the fire safety and evacuation of disabled/vulnerable residents in high-rise and higher-risk residential buildings in England in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 1 recommendations that relate to Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, or PEEPs. These proposals will be called ‘Residential PEEPs’.”

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