About PEEPs
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans
The absence of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) significantly endangers disabled individuals and Fire and Rescue Services. This risk is exacerbated by inadequate evacuation strategies during emergencies, which can expose those responsible for fire safety to potential legal liability for non-compliance with existing legislation.
PEEPs are imperative for individuals unable to self-evacuate. They ensure adherence to the Fire Safety Order’s mandate that all building occupants must be capable of moving away from immediate danger and exiting the premises. This requirement encompasses all individuals, including those with disabilities, across all accommodations.
It is crucial to understand the distinction between a PEEP and a Person-centred Fire Risk Assessment (PcFRA) that are often misunderstood.
What is a PEEP?
A PEEP is a tailored strategy designed to provide safe evacuation procedures for individuals who may need assistance during an emergency, such as those with disabilities or mobility impairments.
A PEEP provides evidence of compliance with the Fire Safety Order (FSO) by ensuring that all “relevant persons” have a clear, accessible evacuation plan.
A PCFRA considers the specific needs and vulnerabilities of individuals within the building, addressing factors like mobility, sensory impairments, or cognitive challenges to create a comprehensive, inclusive fire safety strategy.
What is a PcFRA?
A PcFRA on its’ own does not meet the requirements of the FSO if the individual is unable to evacuate as quickly and as safely as possible.
The Local Government Association (LGA), upon obtaining legal counsel, highlighted in their response to the EEIS+ Consultation:
“Part 3 of the Equality Act 2010 imposes an anticipatory duty on councils and housing associations regarding the allocation of tenancies and the management of let properties. This necessitates proactively considering disabled residents’ needs without requiring individual requests.”
Furthermore, the LGA emphasised that this obligation extends to all buildings, irrespective of their evacuation strategies and that differentiating the treatment of disabled residents based on building height is likely indefensible under equality law.