What is a Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEP)?
A Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEP) is a simple, written plan that explains:
- How you would leave your home in an emergency
- What help you may need
- Important information firefighters should know about you
It’s for residents who may not be able to evacuate independently due to:
- A physical disability
- A sensory impairment (such as hearing or sight loss)
- A cognitive condition
- A temporary condition (for example, recovery from surgery)
- Any other reason that makes evacuation difficult
An RPEEP is personal to you and based on your needs.
A guide to RPEEPs for residents
Who can get an RPEEP?
You’re eligible for an RPEEP if:
- The building is your only home, or your main home, and
- You would struggle or need support to leave your home quickly without help in an emergency, and
- You live in a high-rise residential building, either
- 18m high (or 7+ storeys) or above, or
- 11m – 18m high, where simultaneous evacuation is in place.
If you’re unsure, speak to your landlord, managing agent or building owner (also known as the Responsible Person).
How do I get an RPEEP?
- Contact your landlord, managing agent or building owner
- Tell them you would like to be assessed for a Residential PEEP.
- They will offer to do a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment.
- They will talk with you about your needs and agree an evacuation plan with you in case of fire.
- If you agree to this plan, they will give you a copy of it.
You do not have to get an RPEEP, and one can only be created and shared with your consent. However, we strongly recommend having an RPEEP if you would find evacuation difficult. It helps ensure the right information is available if firefighters are called.
Who will pay the costs?
After completing an assessment with you, the landlord, managing agent or building owner of your building may recommend equipment or other measures to improve your fire safety or support your evacuation.
Who pays for the equipment and measures?
- The landlord, managing agent or building owner may pay for these themselves.
- Or, if it would benefit everyone in the building, then it might be paid for via the service charge.
- In some cases they may ask you to pay. You can choose not to.
What happens if I choose not to pay?
If you choose not to pay, or can't afford to, it may mean that you won’t be provided with the equipment or fire safety measure. We recommend that you discuss this with your landlord, managing agent or building owner.
Some measures may be eligible for the means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant, if they meet the criteria.
We recommend that you don’t use online marketplaces to look for cheaper alternatives to any equipment recommended - they may not always meet safety standards.
What happens to my information?
Your RPEEP will:
- Be recorded by the landlord, managing agent or building owner
- Be securely stored in the Secure Information Box on the outside of your building
This means that if we attend an incident at your building, we can access important information about residents who may need extra help.
Your information is handled in line with data protection law.
Will firefighters always evacuate me?
Not necessarily. When we attend an incident, firefighters will:
- Assess the situation
- Decide the safest course of action
- Use the information in your RPEEP if needed
Every incident is different.
How do I update my RPEEP?
You should contact your landlord, managing agent or building owner if:
- Your mobility or health changes
- You no longer need help
- You move to a different home
- Your contact details change
Disputes
We will not arbitrate any disputes between a Responsible Person and a resident as part of the RPEEPs process. If there’s a dispute, we’ll advise you to refer the disagreement to an appropriate dispute resolution process, such as an ombudsman service or the relevant housing authority.
Where can I get more information?
- Speak to your landlord, managing agent or building owner
- Take a look at the GOV.UK RPEEP factsheet