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In the wake of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the UK’s fire safety framework is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. On 6 April 2026, a new legal mandate arrives: the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025.
For Responsible Persons (RPs)—including landlords, building managers, and housing providers—this marks a shift from general building safety to person-centred fire protection. Here is what you need to know to stay compliant.
The regulations introduce Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs). This process is designed to support residents who cannot evacuate a building unaided due to physical or cognitive impairments.
From 2026, safety is no longer just about the "stay put" policy; it is about having a granular, documented plan for the most vulnerable individuals in your building.
The new duties apply to buildings in England containing two or more domestic premises that meet either of these criteria:
18 metres (or 7 storeys) or more in height.
11 metres or more in height where a simultaneous evacuation strategy is in place.
Identify Relevant Residents: You must use "reasonable endeavours" to identify occupants who would struggle to evacuate without help.
Offer a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA): You are legally required to offer a PCFRA to identified residents and carry one out if requested.
Implement Mitigating Measures: Where risks are identified, you must take "reasonable and proportionate" steps to mitigate them (e.g., specialised alarm devices).
Agree an Emergency Evacuation Statement: You must record the agreed evacuation method in a formal statement and provide a copy to the resident.
Share Information with Fire Services: With explicit consent, you must maintain data in a Secure Information Box (SIB). This includes flat numbers, floor numbers, and the type of assistance required—enabling crews to make split-second tactical decisions.
Review Annually: RPEEPs and PCFRAs must be reviewed at least every 12 months, or sooner if a resident’s needs change.
Building-Wide Evacuation Plan: You must prepare a Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP), share it with the Fire and Rescue Service, and store it in the SIB.
Evacuation Alert Systems for Fire and Rescue Service use
Enhanced in-flat smoke detection to provide earlier warning
Specialist alarm interfaces or visual/vibrating alert devices
Improved alarm zoning to support building evacuation strategies All of these measures must be designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with BS 5839-1:2025, the UK’s primary code of practice for fire detection and fire alarm systems in non-domestic premises. Understanding how your alarm system supports evacuation strategy is therefore a critical part of meeting your duties under the new regulations. Ensure Your Fire Detection & Alarm Systems Are Compliant
Responsible Persons must ensure that fire detection and alarm systems are properly specified, maintained, and capable of supporting evacuation arrangements identified through PCFRAs and RPEEPs. At LFS, we offer the EAL Level 3 Award in Requirements for BS 5839-1:2025, designed to help fire safety professionals understand the updated standard and apply it in real buildings. The course equips participants with the knowledge needed to interpret system requirements, assess compliance, and ensure fire alarm systems support modern evacuation strategies.