Help to evacuate in an emergency
“Would you, or someone in your household have difficulty responding to a smoke alarm or leaving your home in an emergency?”
If the answer to this question is yes, please let us know.
- If you are a tenant (pay rent) contact: HousingManagement@lewisham.gov.uk or call us on 0800 028 2028 (option 5, then option 1).
- If you are a leaseholder, contact the Home Ownership team on: hos@lewisham.gov.uk or call us on 0800 028 2028 (option 3, then option 5)
There are many reasons for answering “yes”. For example, you may have:
- reduced mobility (use a wheelchair or have difficulty using stairs, even if only temporarily, for instance because of injury, operation, pregnancy etc)
- sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing loss
- cognitive, neuro-diverse conditions, mental health or other medical conditions that would affect your ability to leave your home in an emergency
- may take medication which could affect your ability to respond to a smoke alarm
We understand that a person’s ability to evacuate safely can change over time, and our approach is designed to be flexible and responsive to those changes. If you are in any doubt, please contact us.
Once you contact us, we will then be able to meet with you and have a discussion where we can ask some questions. This process is called a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA). Once we have met, we can ensure that, where required, we will recommend additional fire safety provisions. We would also, with your permission, share your location with the London Fire Brigade.
Rest assured only minimal information would be shared with the London Fire Brigade and this is to give them vital information at the earliest stage of an incident so they can make informed decisions allowing them to prioritise and plan your evacuation or rescue should a fire occur.
Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs)
Depending on your needs, we may recommend that you need a Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEP).
What is an RPEEP?
A Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEP), sometimes just referred to as a PEEP, is a tailored evacuation plan for residents who may struggle to leave a building quickly and safely without support.
RPEEPs ensure that in an emergency, the right steps and support are already in place. With your permission, your RPEEP information will also stored in a secure information box in your building, which the Fire Brigade can access if there is an emergency.
Why we are creating RPEEPs
National fire safety regulations mean building owners have responsibilities to offer extra support for residents who may need assistance during an evacuation. These updates follow recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and are designed to improve safety for residents with mobility, sensory or other health related needs.
The government introduced the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025.
Under the rules, we must:
- identify residents who may need evacuation assistance
- carry out a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA)
- create and agree an RPEEP with the resident, if required
- keep written records of the RPEEP
- with the resident’s consent, share relevant information with the Fire and Rescue Service to support emergency response
When RPEEPs won’t be used
Your RPEEP will only be used if an incident which requires it. If you are not at immediate risk, you will not be unnecessarily disturbed or evacuated. However, having PEEPs in place ensures fire crews already know where you are and what support you would need if conditions change.
What this means for you
If you think you may have difficulty leaving your building without help, for example, due to mobility, sensory, health or temporary conditions, you can request a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA), which may lead to us creating an RPEEP for you.
Taking part is voluntary. You do not need to request a RPEEP if you feel confident you can evacuate independently. If you do choose to take part, we will also ask whether you consent to sharing relevant information with the London Fire Brigade.
What is the difference between a PCFRA and an RPEEP?
A Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) is a detailed assessment that looks at a resident’s individual fire safety needs. It considers factors such as mobility, health conditions, sensory impairments, and how easily a person could leave their home in an emergency. The goal is to understand any risks and identify what support or safety measures might be needed.
A Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEP) is created only if the PCFRA shows a resident may need extra help to evacuate safely. The RPEEP is a practical plan that sets out exactly what help is needed, who will provide it, and any equipment or special arrangements required. It can also include information shared with the Fire and Rescue Service (with the resident’s consent) to make sure emergency responders can act quickly and safely.
The PCFRA tells us what risks exist and what a resident might need, while the RPEEP is the step-by-step plan for staying safe and evacuating if help is needed.