Why Fire Risk Assessments Are Essential for Your Business
December 23, 2025The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations 2025 – What They Mean for Property Managers
Effective from 6 April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations 2025 introduce new legal duties for residential buildings, particularly those adopting a simultaneous evacuation strategy (where all residents evacuate rather than “stay put”).
These changes form part of the UK Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen building safety and ensure the protection of residents — especially in multi-occupancy or higher-risk buildings.
🔍Key Requirements
- Prepare and maintain a Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP) for each relevant building.
- Create and regularly review Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs) for residents who may find self-evacuation challenging.
- Establish Emergency Evacuation Statements for all residents.
- Submit updated evacuation plans annually to local fire and rescue authorities.
- Store all plans and information in a secure on-site information box.
- Share details of vulnerable residents’ evacuation needs with local fire and rescue services (subject to consent).
While the regulations don’t explicitly mandate a 24/7 Fire Marshal, they do require buildings to demonstrate adequate and sufficient fire precautions — including clear procedures, competent management, and effective communication at all times.
⚖️Enforcement & Accountability
The new framework is supported by three key enforcement routes:
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 – requiring responsible persons to maintain suitable fire precautions. Non-compliance can lead to fines or prosecution.
- The Building Safety Act – empowering the Building Safety Regulator to issue compliance notices, enforcement orders, and penalties for higher-risk buildings.
- Fire & Rescue Authorities – authorised to inspect, request documentation, and take enforcement action where required.
This means that failure to prepare or manage evacuation procedures effectively could expose property owners, directors, or managing agents to direct regulatory action.
🚨Why This Makes 24/7 Fire Warden & Evacuation Management Essential
For properties operating under a simultaneous evacuation strategy, the requirement for continuous oversight is clear. A 24/7 Fire Marshal / Evacuation Manager ensures that:
- Evacuation plans (BEEP/PEEPs) are managed proactively and updated in real time.
- Vulnerable residents receive support during any emergency.
- Alarms and incidents are handled immediately, with correct escalation procedures followed.
- Golden Thread records are maintained — capturing accurate logs, actions, and compliance evidence.
- Buildings maintain continuous readiness for audits and inspections.
In short, these regulations move fire safety from documentation to demonstration — requiring real-time capability and competent oversight.
🔒How iES Security Can Help
At iES Security, our Waking Watch and 24/7 Fire Warden Services are designed to meet and exceed these new expectations:
✅ SIA-licensed, Fire Marshal-trained officers
✅ Digital Golden Thread compliance reporting via our Fire Warden Portal
✅ Evacuation management and resident reassurance 24/7
✅ Fast mobilisation for temporary or long-term coverage
✅ Audit-ready documentation aligned with the Building Safety Regulator’s requirements
We work closely with Property Block Managers, Freeholders, and Estate Teams to ensure every building is safe, compliant, and confidently managed.
📞Get Prepared for 2026
Is your estate ready for the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations?
Our experts can provide a free site compliance audit and tailored proposal to help you prepare
📞 0333 3055 328
✉️ info@ies-security.com
🌐www.ies-security.com
