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Fire Evacuation Guide for Vulnerable Residents

Fire evacuation plans only work if they take real people into account. This guide helps housing providers, landlords and building managers think more carefully about residents who may not understand a standard evacuation plan or may not be able to follow it without extra support.

It covers practical steps such as checking understanding, having better conversations with residents, identifying fire risks, preparing Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and making information more accessible. It is a useful guide for anyone responsible for resident safety in managed or tenanted buildings.

PLEASE NOTE: this document is for guidance only and does not substitute the key requirement and duty placed on employers and businesses which is to develop a premises emergency evacuation plan covering all likely scenarios of occupation.

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What's included?

  • Guidance on identifying residents who may be more vulnerable in a fire evacuation, including people with mobility issues, hearing or visual impairments, low literacy, dementia, mental health conditions, caring responsibilities or limited English
  • Practical advice on having conversations with residents, checking understanding and encouraging people to share what support they may need
  • A section on developing Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, including how to complete them, review them and store information appropriately
  • Guidance on legal responsibilities under current fire safety and building safety regulations, including the need to provide clear fire safety information and plan for all likely occupants
  • Ideas for making fire evacuation information more accessible, such as large print, translated materials, visual formats, audio and signed video instructions
  • Advice on spotting and reducing fire risks in the home, including overloaded sockets, blocked exits, faulty alarms, hoarding, portable heaters and charging e-bikes or e-scooters indoors
  • A section on evacuation resources, such as handrails, tactile markers, flashing lights, vibrating pillows and other tools that may support safer escape
  • A summary checklist to help organisations review what they need to put in place across communication, PEEPs, training, equipment, maintenance and resident support

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