Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is highlighting the importance of new national fire safety regulations that aim to give extra protection to residents who may need support to leave their high rise building during an emergency.
The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 come into effect on 6 April 2026 and introduce a new, structured approach that strengthens how building owners identify and support residents who could face challenges evacuating during a fire (Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans).
Under the regulations, Responsible Persons (usually the building owner, landlord or managing agent) must use reasonable endeavours to:
- Identify residents who may struggle to evacuate without help
- Offer a person-centred fire risk assessment
- Work with the resident, if they wish, to agree an emergency evacuation statement
- Create and maintain a building-wide evacuation plan
With the resident’s consent, building owners will share limited information — flat number, floor level and basic assistance needed — with the fire and rescue service. No medical or personal data will be shared.
Key points for residents
- Taking part in the process is completely voluntary
- Consent can be withdrawn at anytime
- Fire and rescue services do not carry out assessments — this is the building owner’s responsibility
Which buildings do the new regulations apply to?
These rules apply to residential buildings in England that are 18 metres or 7 storeys or higher, or over 11 metres where a simultaneous evacuation strategy is already in place. A simultaneous evacuation strategy means everyone should leave the building if there is a fire, even if they are not directly affected.
HIWFRS Assistant Director of Community Safety, James Lucy, said:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe at home. These new regulations give clearer expectations for the responsible person of a high-rise premises and more support for residents who may need help in an emergency, and we welcome that.
Once the new information has been collected by the Responsible Person and made available to HIWFRS, we can then use this to help us respond as effectively as possible if a fire does occur.
If a resident thinks they may benefit from these new arrangements, we’d encourage them to get in touch with their Responsible Person or building owner.”
Visit the dedicated area of the HIWFRS website for more information.
