Scope test
Which residential buildings are covered?
The regulations apply to buildings in England containing two or more sets of domestic premises where the building is at least 18 metres high or has at least seven storeys. They also apply where the building is more than 11 metres high and operates a simultaneous evacuation strategy.
A relevant resident must use the home as their only or principal residence and have difficulty evacuating without assistance because of a physical or cognitive impairment or condition.
| Building | In scope? |
|---|---|
| At least 18m with 2+ domestic premises | Yes, regardless of stay-put or simultaneous strategy. |
| At least 7 storeys with 2+ domestic premises | Yes, even if the measured height is below 18m. |
| More than 11m with simultaneous evacuation | Yes. |
| More than 11m with stay put, below 18m and fewer than 7 storeys | Not brought in by this specific regulation, though other duties remain. |
Reasonable endeavours
Identify and engage relevant residents
The responsible person must use reasonable endeavours to identify residents who may have difficulty evacuating unaided. This means providing accessible information and a safe, practical way for residents to come forward, rather than making assumptions from appearance or medical labels.
A resident cannot be compelled to participate. The responsible person should explain the process, obtain the necessary consent and revisit identification because residents and needs can change.
- Tell all residents about the process in accessible formats
- Provide confidential ways to request support
- Avoid collecting unnecessary medical details
- Record reasonable identification efforts
- Review after resident, building or evacuation-strategy changes
Person-centred assessment
Offer and complete the PCFRA process
Each identified relevant resident must be offered a person-centred fire risk assessment. If accepted, it considers the resident’s ability to respond and evacuate, the building and flat context, and reasonable and proportionate measures that could reduce risk.
The process should lead to an emergency evacuation statement agreed with the resident, explaining what they should do in a fire. It is not a medical assessment and should not promise assistance that cannot be delivered.
Discuss needs
Understand barriers involving movement, hearing, sight, cognition or other relevant circumstances.
Consider the building
Account for floor, routes, evacuation strategy, alarms and available facilities.
Identify measures
Consider reasonable and proportionate equipment, information, management or assistance.
Record the statement
Give the resident a clear written emergency evacuation statement.
Whole building
Building emergency evacuation plans
Every building within scope requires a building emergency evacuation plan. It should set out the evacuation strategy, arrangements and relevant building information, be shared with the local fire and rescue authority and placed in the secure information box where one is required.
The plan must be reviewed at intervals not exceeding 12 months and sooner where relevant changes occur. It should align with the FRA, fire strategy, resident instructions, PEEPs information and safety case where applicable.
- Prepare a building-specific plan
- Resolve any mismatch in the stated evacuation strategy
- Share it with the fire and rescue authority
- Place it in the secure information box where required
- Review at least every 12 months and after relevant change