When To Use Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

Under current fire safety legislation, any business responsible for a building must provide a fire safety risk assessment and implementation plan. This plan must includes emergency evacuation procedures for all people who may be in the premises at the time of an emergency.

If an employer or service provider does not make adequate provisions for the safe and dignified evacuation of disabled people they will be in breach or fire safety legislation as well as The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA).

Personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) are a vital part of inclusive evacuation. PEEPs should be used to make provisions for anyone who would be unable to leave a building using standard evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency.

When to use a PEEP:

For employees/regular visitors

When a person uses a building regularly, for example an employee or a regular customer, a detailed and personalised plan can be put in place. The Government Guide on providing emergency evacuation for disabled people includes a new joiners form, which can be used to assess PEEP requirements when new employees join an organisation. Regular visitors should be made aware that individual PEEPs are available. PEEPs will need to be reviewed on a regular basis and assisting staff members will require extra training.

Occasional visitors

Infrequent or one-time visitors who pass a reception/entry point should be notified that standard evacuation procedures are in place. Standard evacuation plans are written procedures that can be used as options for disabled people to choose from. Standard plans should be held at reception points within the building and must be clearly advertised.

Unknown or uncontrolled visitors

In a situation where visitors do not pass a reception/entry point, standards plan should still be in place and advertised. Premises where visitors are unknown could include: a shopping centre, a coffee shop or a supermarket. In these situations, staff must communicate standard PEEP options to disabled people at the time of escape. Communicating effectively and identifying the best evacuation plan under such time critical circumstances requires rigorous training.

All escape plans should be practised and reviewed on a regular basis, at least every six months.

For further information and support, read the Government Guide: Fire safety risk assessment: means of escape for disabled people.

Need evacuation chairs as part of your PEEPs? Talk to one of our stair travel experts today on: 01707 44 33 00