Fire Evacuation Plans

For business owners and Responsible Persons, few things are more important than ensuring people can evacuate safely and quickly in the event of a fire. Even well-maintained fire doors, alarms and detection systems can fail to protect life if there is no clear, documented evacuation procedure in place.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Responsible Persons must establish and implement appropriate procedures to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger, including clear fire evacuation arrangements.

A fire evacuation plan sets out exactly what occupants and staff must do when a fire alarm sounds or a fire is discovered. It is a core part of effective fire safety management and a legal requirement for most workplaces and non-domestic premises in the UK.

Under Article 15 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Responsible Persons must establish and implement appropriate procedures to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger, including fire evacuation arrangements. Failure to do so can lead to enforcement action, fines, or prosecution.

What Is A Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan (FEEP)?

A Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan (FEEP) is a written document that sets out the actions occupants and staff must take if there is a fire or a fire alarm activation.

It explains:

• How people will be warned
• How the building will be evacuated
• Who has specific duties
• How emergency services will be contacted
• Where people should assemble

A FEEP must be based on the findings of the fire risk assessment and tailored to the building’s layout, use, and occupants.

General Fire Notices vs Staff Fire Notices

Most evacuation plans include two types of notice:

General Fire Notice

Typically suitable for smaller, low-risk premises. These are simple instructions displayed prominently, explaining:

• What to do if you discover a fire
• What to do when the alarm sounds
• Where exits and assembly points are located

Staff Fire Notice

Required for larger or higher-risk premises. These provide detailed instructions for staff with specific responsibilities, including fire wardens, reception staff, or facilities teams.

Staff notices reflect:

• Fire risk assessment findings
• Building-specific hazards
• Management procedures and staff roles

Why Fire Evacuation Plans Are Essential

A clear, rehearsed evacuation plan helps to:

• Reduce panic during an emergency
• Ensure vulnerable people are assisted
• Support safe and orderly evacuation
• Demonstrate legal compliance
• Protect life and minimise disruption to business operations

Without a clear plan, evacuation becomes uncoordinated, increasing the risk of injury, delay, or fatality.

What Should Be Included in a Fire Evacuation Plan?

Fire evacuation plans should be developed based on the findings of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, which identifies hazards, people at risk, and escape route challenges.

A comprehensive fire evacuation plan should reflect the principles set out in official UK fire safety guidance. This includes ensuring that escape routes are clearly marked and as short and direct as possible, that clear passageways are maintained to all exits, that emergency lighting is in place where needed, and that employees are trained to use these routes. Your plan should also consider how fire detection and alarm systems integrate with evacuation procedures.

A compliant fire evacuation plan should be written, site-specific, and easy to understand. It should include:

• How occupants will be alerted to a fire
• Evacuation routes and final exits
• Assembly point locations
• Procedures for calling the fire and rescue service
• Locations of fire-fighting equipment
• Roles and responsibilities of staff (e.g. fire wardens)
• Procedures for assisting vulnerable occupants
• Isolation points for machinery, gas, or electrical systems
• Training and drill arrangements

For multi-storey buildings, evacuation plans should be supported by fire evacuation drawings showing:

• Escape routes
• Fire alarm call points
• Fire extinguishers
• Final exits and assembly points

Plans should clearly distinguish between:

• Discovering a fire
• Hearing the fire alarm
• Daytime vs out-of-hours procedures

Carrying out regular fire drills is key to effective evacuation planning. Drills help staff understand procedures and identify issues in escape routes or communications. As a best practice, drills should be scheduled at least annually and whenever there are significant changes in staff, occupancy, or building layout.

Evacuation plans, including route drawings and assembly point locations, should be consistent with guidance in Approved Document B (Fire Safety) to support safe and compliant evacuation procedures.

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is a tailored plan for individuals who may need assistance to evacuate safely during an emergency.

PEEPs are required where people:

• Cannot evacuate unaided
• May not hear alarms
• May become disorientated
• Require specialist equipment or support

Modern fire safety guidance expects Responsible Persons to consider evacuation needs under the Equality Act 2010, rather than older legislation.

What a PEEP Should Cover

An effective PEEP should identify:

• Escape routes and refuges
• Staff responsibilities
• Evacuation equipment (e.g. evac-chairs)
• Training requirements
• Alternative arrangements where standard evacuation is not possible

Employers must ensure the safety of all employees and visitors during emergencies. Further details on fire safety responsibilities are set out in fire safety guidance published by the UK Government.

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments to support the safe evacuation of people with disabilities or additional needs, including through Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).

Practical templates and advice for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans are available in official PEEP guidance.

Who Needs a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan?

A PEEP may be required for people with:

• Mobility impairments
• Visual or hearing impairments
• Cognitive or neurological conditions
• Temporary injuries
• Medical conditions affecting evacuation

Not every disability requires a PEEP, but each case must be assessed individually.

How Often Should Fire Evacuation Plans Be Reviewed?

Fire evacuation plans should be reviewed:

• After changes to the building layout
• When occupancy or use changes
• After fire drills or incidents
• When staff roles change
• At regular intervals as part of fire safety management

Plans must remain current, accurate, and familiar to staff.

How Our Fire Evacuation Plan Services Help Your Business

We prepare clear, compliant fire evacuation plans tailored to your premises and fire risk assessment.

Our service includes:

• Site inspection and review of existing arrangements
• Development of building-specific evacuation procedures
• Integration with fire risk assessments
• PEEP support and advice
• Staff briefing and guidance
• Clear written plans and evacuation drawings

We work with Responsible Persons, managing agents, landlords and employers to ensure evacuation procedures are practical, legally compliant, and workable in real emergencies.

Conclusion

Fire evacuation plans are a fundamental part of effective fire safety management. They protect lives, support safe evacuation, and demonstrate compliance with fire safety law.

A clear, up-to-date evacuation plan — supported by training, drills and personal evacuation arrangements — ensures your building is prepared when it matters most.

If you need help creating or reviewing a fire evacuation plan, our experienced fire safety professionals are here to help.