Residents page - Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans

What is happening? 

From 6 April 2026, new regulations come into force in England to help improve the safety of residents who may need support to evacuate their high rise building in the event of a fire. These changes introduce a new process called Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs). 

The information on this page is designed to support you as the resident.

Who is a “relevant resident”? 

A relevant resident is someone who lives in the building and has a physical or cognitive impairment that means they may be unable to leave the building without help during a fire. 

Examples might include reduced mobility, hearing or sight impairments, long-term health conditions or cognitive conditions affecting awareness or decision making 

You can appoint a representative or trusted person to act on your behalf if needed.  

What residents can expect?

If you are identified as someone who may need support, your building’s Responsible Person should: 

1. Offer you a person-centred fire risk assessment

This is a conversation about: 

• any challenges you may face should you need to evacuate your building in an emergency 
• what arrangements might help improve your safety and help you evacuate your building quickly and safely in the event of a fire 

You do not have to take part unless you want to. 

2. Discuss possible measures

Any support measures will be based on the assessment. Who pays will depend on what is reasonable in each situation. You cannot be made to pay for something if you don’t want to or can’t afford it. 

3. Agree an emergency evacuation statement (if you wish)

This is a short, written explanation of what you should do if there is a fire. You decide whether to agree to it. 

4. Share minimal information with the fire and rescue service — only if you consent

This includes only: 

• your flat number 
• your floor number 
• a basic indication of the assistance you might need 
• whether you have an evacuation statement 

No medical or personal information is shared, and you may withdraw consent at any time. 

5. Keep information up to date

Your assessment and arrangements should be reviewed by the Responsible Person at least every 12 months, or sooner if things change. 

What the fire and rescue service does 

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service will: 

• access the information listed above with your consent 
• use this information to help them plan a safe and effective response if a fire in your building occurs 
• keep your information secure and only use it to support the operational response to a fire 

Fire and rescue services do not: 

• carry out the resident assessments 
• create evacuation statements 
• hold medical details 
• decide what mitigation measures are reasonable 
• mediate disputes between residents and Responsible Persons 

Your choice, your consent 

Residents’ participation in the RPEEP process is voluntary. You decide: 

• whether to take part 
• whether to agree an evacuation statement 
• whether any information about you is shared with the fire and rescue service 
• whether to withdraw consent later