Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a list of frequently asked questions concerning the new legislation for Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs).
1. Are there standard templates available for Responsible Persons to provide the information required under Regulations 10 and 13?
Yes. The information required under Regulation 10 has been built into the standard templates provided in the FIA / NFCC Secure Information Box Guidance, which also includes a building schematic.
For Regulation 13, a standardised Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP) template has been developed. This has been made available as a downloadable resource within the RPEEPs toolkit on the NFCC’s and RBFRS’ webpage.
2. Can fire and rescue service staff provide support to carry out a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) if I, as the Responsible Person, request it?
No. Fire and rescue services are not responsible for and are not competent to conduct a PCFRA. This legal duty sits with you as the Responsible Person.
3. Is there a single place where I can access all information related to RPEEPs?
Yes. We have dedicated pages on our website that hosts all current RPEEPs products, updates, resources, and supporting information.
4. Can the fire and rescue service arbitrate if a resident and I disagree about RPEEP responsibilities?
No. Fire and rescue services are not responsible for mediating or arbitrating disputes. You should raise concerns with the housing provider, landlord, Building Safety Regulator, or the relevant ombudsman.
5. If I need advice as a Responsible Person, where should I go?
Government guidance for Responsible Persons – including factsheets, examples, and toolkits – is available online and should be your first reference point.
6. If a building over 11m temporarily changes from stay‑put to simultaneous evacuation, do RPEEP regulations apply?
Yes. When the evacuation strategy changes to simultaneous evacuation, the RPEEP regulations apply.
Fire and rescue services may take a reasonable and proportionate approach to enforcement, depending on the circumstances and the duration of a temporary change.
7. Do RPEEP requirements apply to student accommodation?
Yes. The legislation applies to buildings containing two or more domestic premises, which includes student accommodation. This aligns with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
8. What evidence must I provide to show I have made “reasonable endeavours” to identify relevant residents?
“Reasonable endeavours” is not defined in the regulations, but you should be able to show that you took genuine, proactive steps.
Government guidance outlines examples of such measures.
9. What must I demonstrate to show reasonable and proportionate measures have been taken after a PCFRA?
You should be able to evidence actions aligned with the outcomes of the PCFRA, including:
- Identifying residents who need additional fire safety support;
- Completing assessments for those requesting them;
- Discussing findings with the resident;
- Implementing proportionate mitigations;
- Providing written instructions for fire situations;
- Sharing information with the FRS only with consent; and
- Reviewing the RPEEP process regularly.
10. Can the fire and rescue service require me to place information only in a Secure or Premises Information Box (SIB/PIB)?
Yes. The fire and rescue service can mandate this under Regulations 10(3) and 10(4).
Templates including the required information are in the FIA/NFCC SIB guidance.
11. Can the fire and rescue service request that I submit a nil return if there are no relevant residents?
No. There are no requirement for nil returns and you are responsible for compliance.
If the fire and rescue service believes duties are not being met, they may take regulatory action.
12. If a resident does not give consent to share their information, how will the fire and rescue service know they may need support?
Fire and rescue services may hold some information from other activities (such as Safe and Well Visits). During incidents, the Incident Commander may liaise with you directly for additional information.
13. Are Secure Information Boxes (SIBs) and Premises Information Boxes (PIBs) the same thing?
Yes. The terms are used interchangeably, and no retrospective signage changes are required.
14. What happens if the fire and rescue mandates use of a SIB but we cannot source one immediately?
A risk‑based approach should be taken. Interim measures must be agreed between you and the service.
15. What should a resident do if they believe I am not fulfilling my RPEEP duties?
Residents may approach the fire and rescue service.
Fire and rescue services have the duty and power to enforce compliance and may also notify the Building Safety Regulator.
16. Is there a standardised Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) available for RPEEPs information?
No. DSAs are not legally required but may be advisable.
Any decisions rest with the fire and rescue service’s Data Protection Officer and Senior Information Risk Officer.
17. If I refer a resident for a Safe and Well Visit, does the fire and rescue service need separate consent?
Yes. Using RPEEP-related information for other purposes (like a Safe and Well Visit) usually requires additional resident consent.
18. How is a PCFRA under RPEEPs different from traditional PCFRAs or HFSCs?
A RPEEPs PCFRA specifically assesses:
- The resident’s ability to evacuate without assistance
- Additional risks relating to cognitive or physical impairment
- Traditional HFSCs examine wider hazards inside a dwelling.
- Future legislation is expected to require RPs to also consider domestic‑premises risks as part of the RPEEPs PCFRA.