New Fire Safety Law: Residential Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) Required from April 2026

New fire safety regulations will come into force across England on 6 April 2026, introducing additional responsibilities for building owners and responsible persons to consider the evacuation needs of residents who may not be able to leave a building independently during an emergency.

The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 will require responsible persons to take reasonable steps to identify residents who may need assistance in the event of a fire. This includes individuals with mobility impairments, sensory disabilities, or other conditions that could affect their ability to self-evacuate.

The regulations introduce Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs), which are designed to ensure that vulnerable or disabled residents are properly considered within a building’s fire safety arrangements.

Where residents agree to participate, responsible persons must carry out a person-centred fire risk assessment and produce an Emergency Evacuation Statement outlining what support or procedures should be followed during an emergency.

The legislation primarily applies to higher-risk residential buildings, including those that are 18 metres or more in height (or seven storeys), as well as some buildings over 11 metres where a simultaneous evacuation strategy is in place.

In addition, key information relating to residents who may require assistance must be securely recorded and made available to attending fire and rescue services, helping crews respond more effectively during an emergency whilst maintaining appropriate data protection safeguards.

The introduction of RPEEPs follows recommendations made by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which highlighted the need for improved evacuation planning and better protection for residents who may struggle to escape without assistance.

With the April 2026 implementation date approaching, many building owners, managing agents and responsible persons have already been preparing for the introduction of this legislation, reviewing their fire safety procedures and putting appropriate processes in place to ensure compliance. However, for those who have not yet done so, now is the time to review existing arrangements and ensure the necessary measures are in place ahead of the new requirements coming into force.