‘Collaboration is key’: New reforms put residents at centre of fire risk planning

Patrick Heaney, Head of Fire Safety Technical at The FirstPort Group, says the changes formalise practices that many property managers have already been following. 

He explained: “Lots of organisations, including FirstPort, have been doing residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for years because it’s good practice. What this legislation does is enshrine that good practice in law. Currently, the Regulations only apply in England, but it is expected the rest of the UK will follow”

Supporting residents who may need extra help

A core part of the legislation is its focus on residents who may need additional support during an evacuation.  Unlike workplaces, residential buildings do not always have staff on site at all times. As a result, evacuation planning must be personalised and practical.

Patrick explained: “In the residential sector you don’t always have people on site  24 hours a day to support in an evacuation. That means it’s even more important that fire safety planning focuses on the resident and their individual needs.”

To achieve this, the regulations require four key documents:

• Person Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs)

• Resident Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs)

• Emergency Evacuation Statements

• Building Emergency Evacuation Plan

These documents outline how a resident who cannot self evacuate will be supported if a fire occurs. 

A resident led process

A notable feature of the legislation is that the process is driven by the residents’ choice. Before an RPEEP can be created, the property manager must complete a Person Centred Fire Risk Assessment with any resident who may require help. The assessment focuses solely on practical evacuation needs.

Patrick explains: “It’s not a medical questionnaire. It’s about the practicalities, such as what someone can or can’t do in an emergency and what support they might need.”

If the resident agrees to take part, the assessment leads to a personalised evacuation plan and an emergency evacuation statement. With the resident’s consent, limited information, such as their floor number and any mobility requirements, may be recorded for the fire and rescue service.

“For example, if someone on the 13th floor cannot self evacuate and uses a wheelchair, that information can be recorded securely so the fire service knows where assistance may be needed,” he added.

Property managers, acting as the Responsible Person, are required to keep this information up to date.

Participation is voluntary

Although the Responsible Person is legally required to identify residents who may require support, participation in the process remains entirely voluntary.

“As soon as you become aware someone may need support, you reach out. But this is entirely resident led,” Patrick said. “If someone doesn’t want to take part and feels they’re fine without it, that’s their choice. And they can step back at any time.”

He added: “Our role as the property manager and Responsible Person is to give residents every chance to come forward and to explain the importance of this type of planning. But no one can be required to take part.”

Patrick also emphasised the legislation’s focus on inclusivity, adding: “A Residential PEEP isn’t just for someone with a mobility issue. It also applies to residents with sight or hearing impairments, or anyone with a cognitive condition. And if a child or an adult isn’t able to engage with the process themselves, a representative can step in on their behalf.”

For both building managers and residents, the key message is that collaboration will be essential. Patrick explained: “The whole system depends on cooperation. We can put the framework in place, but ultimately the process works best when residents engage with it.”

This article was written by The FirstPort Group.