West Sussex Fire and Rescue are reminding building managers that new fire safety laws have now come into force.
The changes follow recommendations made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and are designed to ensure firefighters can better identify people who may need assistance evacuating their homes.
The new rules apply to certain multi-occupied residential buildings in England and place legal responsibilities on the building’s “Responsible Person” – typically the owner, landlord or managing agent.
Residents who may need help include those with mobility issues, as well as people with sight or hearing impairments or cognitive conditions.
Under the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 – often referred to as Residential PEEPs or RPEEPs – Responsible Persons must identify individuals who may struggle to evacuate without support. They must then carry out a “person-centred fire risk assessment” and create a tailored emergency evacuation statement.
The legislation also requires building managers to inform their local fire and rescue service where residents have an RPEEP in place, and to regularly review and update this information.
Dave Bray, Area Manager for Protection, said: “These changes are an important step towards making sure everyone feels safe in their own home, especially those who might need extra support in an emergency. They give much clearer expectations for building owners and managers, and we welcome that.
“While the responsibility for putting these arrangements in place sits with the Responsible Person, we’re ready to receive the information they share with residents’ consent in their building’s Secure Information Box, and to use it to help us respond as effectively as possible if a fire does occur.
“If any resident think they may benefit from these new arrangements, we’d encourage them to speak to their building owner or managing agent. Our role is to use the limited information we’re given to support our crews on the ground and to continue working with our partners to help keep our communities safe.”
The regulations apply to high-rise buildings of at least 18 metres or seven storeys, as well as some multi-residential buildings over 11 metres with a simultaneous evacuation strategy. Residents can choose whether to take part and may withdraw consent at any time.
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