Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans Explained

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is an individual plan designed to help someone evacuate a building safely during an emergency. It outlines the assistance, equipment and procedures required to ensure a person can leave the premises as quickly and safely as possible if an evacuation is needed.

PEEPs are commonly used in workplaces, schools, hospitals, universities, hotels and public buildings to support people who may require additional assistance during an emergency.

What Is A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan?

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan is a written document that identifies an individual's specific evacuation needs. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, a PEEP provides tailored guidance based on the person's abilities, the building layout and the emergency procedures in place.

The aim is to ensure that everyone can evacuate safely, regardless of any mobility, sensory or temporary limitations.

Who May Need A PEEP?

A PEEP may be appropriate for anyone who could experience difficulty evacuating without assistance. This may include:

• Wheelchair users
• People with reduced mobility
• Individuals with visual impairments
• People who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Those with learning disabilities or cognitive impairments
• People recovering from surgery or injury
• Pregnant employees where appropriate
• Anyone with a medical condition that could affect evacuation

Some people may only require a PEEP temporarily, while others may need one on a long-term basis.

Why Are PEEPs Important?

During an emergency, every second counts. A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan removes uncertainty by ensuring that suitable arrangements have already been agreed and communicated.

Having a PEEP in place helps to:

• Improve the safety of building occupants
• Reduce delays during evacuation
• Clearly define staff responsibilities
• Support inclusive emergency planning
• Provide reassurance for employees and visitors

What Should A PEEP Include?

Although every Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan is unique, it will typically include:

• The person's name and location within the building
• Any mobility or communication requirements
• The preferred evacuation route
• Alternative escape routes if the primary route cannot be used
• Any equipment required, such as evacuation chairs
• The location of refuge points, where applicable
• The names or roles of staff responsible for providing assistance
• Methods of raising the alarm if standard alarms cannot be detected

The plan should be practical, easy to understand and regularly reviewed.

PEEPs And Refuge Points

Many Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans include the use of a designated refuge point. This is a temporary place of relative safety where someone can wait for assistance if they cannot immediately evacuate the building.

Refuge points should be clearly identified with suitable signage and, where provided, emergency communication systems should be available to allow contact with those coordinating the evacuation.

The Role Of Staff And Fire Marshals

Staff members who have responsibilities within a PEEP should receive appropriate training and understand exactly what is expected of them during an emergency.

Fire marshals, wardens and designated assistants should be familiar with:

• The location of refuge points
• Evacuation routes
• The operation of evacuation equipment
• Communication procedures
• The specific needs outlined within each relevant PEEP

Reviewing Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans

A PEEP should not be treated as a document that is written once and forgotten. It should be reviewed whenever circumstances change, including:

• Changes to the building layout
• Alterations to evacuation procedures
• Changes to an individual's mobility or health
• The introduction of new equipment
• Following emergency drills or actual incidents

Regular reviews help ensure the plan remains accurate and effective.

Supporting Emergency Evacuation With Clear Signage

Effective emergency evacuation depends on more than just written procedures. Clear safety signage helps occupants identify escape routes, refuge points, fire exits, fire equipment and assembly points quickly during an emergency.

Signs should be positioned so they are easy to see and should form part of the building's overall fire safety strategy.

Common Signs Used Alongside PEEPs

Depending on the premises, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans may be supported by a range of fire safety signs, including:

• Fire exit signs
• Refuge point signs
• Emergency exit directional signs
• Fire action notices
• Assembly point signs
• Evacuation chair location signs
• Emergency communication point signs

Final Thoughts

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans are an essential part of creating a safe and inclusive environment for employees, visitors and members of the public. By identifying individual evacuation needs in advance, organisations can ensure that everyone has the best possible chance of leaving a building safely during an emergency.

Combined with suitable staff training, regular fire drills, clearly marked refuge points and high-quality emergency signage, a well-prepared PEEP helps build confidence, improve safety and support effective emergency evacuation procedures.