A fire evacuation plan sets out what people should do if a fire starts or the fire alarm operates. It should explain how people will be warned, how evacuation will take place, who has specific responsibilities, where people should assemble and how people who may need assistance will be supported.
For responsible persons, landlords, managing agents and employers, a fire evacuation plan should be based on the fire risk assessment and matched to the building layout, occupancy, escape routes, fire alarm arrangements and evacuation strategy.
A clear plan is especially important in workplaces, shops, schools, care settings, hotels, HMOs, blocks of flats, warehouses, venues and other premises where staff, residents, visitors or members of the public may need clear emergency instructions.
Quick Answer
A Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan, often called a FEEP, is a written plan explaining what occupants and staff should do in the event of fire. It should cover warning arrangements, evacuation procedure, escape routes, assembly points, staff duties, vulnerable people, emergency services, equipment shutdown and review arrangements. It should be based on the fire risk assessment.
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.
A FEEP is different from a fire evacuation strategy. The strategy describes the overall method of evacuation, such as simultaneous evacuation, phased evacuation, progressive horizontal evacuation or stay put. The evacuation plan explains how that strategy is put into practice. See our guide to fire evacuation strategies.
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
Notices should be consistent with the fire risk assessment, staff training and the building’s emergency plan.
Why Fire Evacuation Plans Are Important
A fire evacuation plan helps occupants and staff respond quickly and consistently. In an emergency, people should not be trying to work out escape routes, roles or assembly points for the first time.
A suitable plan can help to:
- Reduce delay and confusion during evacuation
- Make staff responsibilities clear
- Support vulnerable people or anyone who may need assistance
- Coordinate evacuation in shared or multi-occupied buildings
- Support fire drills, staff training and fire safety records
- Demonstrate that emergency arrangements have been considered
What Should a Fire Evacuation Plan Include?
The content should be proportionate to the premises, but a suitable fire evacuation plan may include:
| Item | What it should cover |
|---|---|
| Alarm and warning | How people will be warned, including alarms, staff alerts or manual procedures. |
| Action on discovering a fire | What occupants or staff should do if they find a fire. |
| Action on hearing the alarm | Whether people leave immediately, wait for instruction or follow a staged procedure. |
| Escape routes and exits | Primary and alternative escape routes, final exits and assembly points. |
| Staff roles | Fire wardens, reception, managers, sweep procedures, roll call and liaison with emergency services. |
| People needing assistance | PEEPs, assisted evacuation, refuges, evacuation chairs or other arrangements where appropriate. |
| High-risk areas | Kitchens, plant rooms, workshops, storage areas, dangerous substances or process risks. |
| Shutdown procedures | Any equipment, gas, electricity, machinery or processes that need to be isolated if safe to do so. |
| Training and drills | How staff will be instructed, trained and how evacuation procedures will be tested. |
| Review arrangements | When the plan will be reviewed and updated. |
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.
For detailed guidance, see our guides to Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and person-centred fire risk assessments.
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.
Fire Evacuation Plans for Different Premises
- Offices and shops: usually need clear alarm response, escape routes, staff duties and assembly points.
- Care homes and healthcare: may need progressive horizontal evacuation and detailed resident support arrangements.
- Blocks of flats and HMOs: plans should reflect the building’s evacuation strategy, common parts, fire doors and resident information.
- Schools and nurseries: plans should account for supervision, safeguarding, roll call and assembly arrangements.
- Warehouses and industrial premises: plans may need to cover machinery shutdown, hazardous materials and large escape distances.
- Venues and public buildings: plans should consider visitor management, stewards, crowd movement and alternative exits.
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.
Evacuation plans should also be tested through suitable fire drills and reviewed if drills identify confusion, delays, blocked routes or unclear responsibilities.
Need a Fire Evacuation Plan Reviewed?
Fire Risk Assessment Network can help arrange fire risk assessments and fire safety compliance support where evacuation plans, PEEPs, escape routes or emergency procedures need competent review.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Evacuation Plans
Are fire evacuation plans a legal requirement in the UK?
Responsible persons must have suitable emergency procedures and fire safety arrangements. In practice, many premises need a written fire evacuation plan based on the fire risk assessment.
What is a Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan?
A Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan, or FEEP, is a written plan explaining what occupants and staff should do if there is a fire or the alarm sounds.
What should be included in a fire evacuation plan?
It should cover warning arrangements, escape routes, exits, assembly points, staff duties, vulnerable people, emergency services, training, drills and review arrangements.
What is the difference between a FEEP and a PEEP?
A FEEP covers the building or premises evacuation procedure. A PEEP is a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan for an individual who may need assistance to evacuate safely.
How often should fire evacuation plans be reviewed?
They should be reviewed regularly and whenever there are changes to the building, occupancy, escape routes, fire alarm arrangements, staffing, evacuation strategy or fire risk assessment findings.
Who is responsible for fire evacuation planning?
The responsible person, such as an employer, landlord, managing agent, owner or occupier with control of the premises, is responsible for ensuring suitable emergency arrangements are in place.
Last updated
