What Does FEEP Stand For? (2026 UK Fire Safety Compliance)
April 2026 marks a critical turning point for UK building safety. If you are a landlord, employer, or facilities manager, you likely know that the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 governs your duties. But with the enforcement of new regulations following the Grenfell Inquiry, the “Responsible Person” (RP) now faces a stricter compliance landscape.
One acronym sits at the centre of this: FEEP.
Many business owners treat the FEEP as a static document tucked away in a dusty folder. This is a dangerous mistake. In 2026, a Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan is not just paperwork; it is a dynamic, legally binding strategy that must evolve with your building and its occupants.
This guide clarifies exactly what FEEP stands for, how it differs from PEEPs and the newly introduced BEEPs, and what you must do to avoid prosecution under the latest UK fire safety laws.
What Does FEEP Stand For? (The Official Definition)
FEEP stands for Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan.
At its core, a FEEP is a written document that details the specific actions to be taken by all staff and occupants in the event of a fire. It bridges the gap between the theoretical risk identified in your Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) and the practical reality of getting people out of a burning building safely.
Why the Acronym Matters for UK Business Owners
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “Responsible Person” is legally required to provide clear instructions on evacuation procedures.
[Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – legislation.gov.uk]
If you employ five or more people, hold a licence (such as a pub or club), or have an Alterations Notice in force, this plan must be written down. However, professional advice from the London Fire Brigade and other authorities suggests that every business, regardless of size, should document their plan to ensure consistency.
A FEEP is not a generic “fire policy.” It is site-specific. It tells your occupants exactly where to go, who is in charge, and how to raise the alarm. If a fire officer visits your premises today and you cannot produce an up-to-date FEEP, you are effectively admitting to a breach of fire safety law.
FEEP vs. PEEP: Why Most UK Businesses Get It Wrong
Confusion between FEEP and PEEP is one of the most common reasons for failed safety audits. While they sound similar, they serve distinct legal functions.
The Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) Explained
While a FEEP covers the general population of a building (the “many”), a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) is designed for the “one.”
A PEEP is a bespoke plan for any individual who cannot evacuate the building unaided or who requires more time to escape. This is a requirement under the Equality Act 2010, which mandates that service providers and employers make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure safety.
FEEP vs. PEEP Comparison
| Feature | FEEP (Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan) | PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) |
| Target Audience | All building occupants (staff, visitors, contractors). | Specific individuals with disabilities or impairments. |
| Primary Goal | General safe evacuation of the premises. | Assisted evacuation for a specific person. |
| Legal Basis | Fire Safety Order 2005. | Equality Act 2010 & Fire Safety Order. |
| Customisation | Site-specific (building layout). | Person-specific (mobility, sensory, cognitive). |
| Responsibility | The “Responsible Person” (RP). | RP in consultation with the individual. |
Pro-Tip: The “Invisible” Gap
Many managers assume PEEPs are only for wheelchair users. This is incorrect. You must consider staff with “invisible” impairments, such as neurodivergence (who may freeze during loud alarms), hearing impairments (who cannot hear the bell), or temporary conditions like a broken leg or late-term pregnancy. If your evacuation strategy relies solely on sounders and stairs, you are likely non-compliant.
The 2026 Regulatory Shift: Introducing the BEEP
If you manage high-rise residential buildings, the vocabulary has expanded. April 2026 sees the strict enforcement of new duties derived from the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and subsequent updates.
What is a Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP)?
A BEEP is effectively a FEEP tailored for residential blocks. However, the stakes are higher. Unlike an office where you can run drills with staff, residential buildings contain people sleeping, children, and vulnerable residents you may not know personally.
New Duties for Residential Building Managers (April 2026)
Under Statutory Instrument 2025 No. 797, responsible persons for high-rise residential buildings must now provide an electronic record of their evacuation strategy to the local Fire and Rescue Service.
[Statutory Instrument 2025 No. 797 – legislation.gov.uk]
You must explicitly state whether your building operates a “Stay Put” policy or a “Simultaneous Evacuation” strategy.
- Stay Put: Residents remain in their flats unless the fire is in their unit, relying on compartmentation (fire walls and doors) to stop the spread.
- Simultaneous Evacuation: The entire building evacuates at once, usually triggered by a common alarm system.
Failure to clearly document which strategy you are using constitutes a critical failure. Fire crews arriving at the scene need to know immediately if they are rescuing people from a “Stay Put” building or supporting a mass exit.
5 Mandatory Elements of a Compliant FEEP in 2026
To satisfy a Fire Risk Assessor or an HSE inspector, your FEEP must contain five non-negotiable elements.
1. Clear Action Protocols (Discovery vs. Alarm)
Your plan must distinguish between what a person should do if they find a fire versus what they should do if they hear the alarm.
- Discovery: Trigger the nearest call point immediately. Do not tackle the fire unless trained to do so.
- Alarm: Leave immediately by the nearest exit. Do not use lifts.
2. Means of Escape & Assembly Point Logistics
Identifying escape routes is basic. The failure point is usually the Assembly Point.
Is your assembly point safe? A car park might seem logical, but if it sits directly in the path of arriving fire engines, it is a hazard. Your FEEP must designate a location that is far enough away to avoid smoke and falling debris but close enough to account for staff quickly.
3. Identification of Key Fire Wardens/Marshals
A FEEP is useless without people to execute it. Your document must list the specific duties of Fire Wardens.
- Who sweeps the toilets and meeting rooms?
- Who assists visitors?
- Who meets the Fire Brigade on arrival?
4. The 12-Month Mandatory Review Cycle
A FEEP is a living document. It must be reviewed:
- Every 12 months (minimum).
- Whenever there is a significant change to the building (e.g., new partitions, moved desks).
- Following any “near miss” or false alarm.
- When staff levels change significantly.
5. Integration with the Secure Information Box (SIB)
For buildings over 11 metres (or 18 metres depending on specific local regulation), you are now required to keep hard copies of your floor plans and evacuation strategy in a Secure Information Box (SIB) on the premises. This allows emergency responders to access your FEEP even if you are not on site.
[Code of Practice for the Provision of Premises Information Boxes]
How to Conduct a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA)
The 2026 regulations push beyond generic safety toward Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRA). This ensures that your FEEP is not just protecting the building, but the specific people inside it.
Identifying “Relevant Residents” and Staff
You must actively identify occupants who need help. For residential buildings, this might involve an annual census or survey. For workplaces, it is part of the onboarding process.
Agreeing on the Emergency Evacuation Statement
Once you identify a vulnerable person, you cannot simply impose a plan on them. You must agree on an evacuation statement.
- Will they use an Evacuation Chair?
- Do they need a “buddy” assigned to them?
- Do they require a vibrating pager for fire alarms?
Common Mistake: The GDPR Trap
Be careful how you store PEEP and PCFRA data. This is sensitive medical and personal information. Sticking a list of “Disabled Staff” on a public noticeboard is a GDPR breach. This information should be shared only with Fire Wardens and the Fire Service via the Secure Information Box.
The “Responsible Person” Checklist for 2026 Compliance
Use this checklist to audit your current standing. If you answer “No” to any question, your business is at risk.
- [ ] Do you have a written FEEP accessible to all staff?
- [ ] Does your FEEP clearly distinguish between “Stay Put” and “Simultaneous Evacuation”?
- [ ] Have you completed PEEPs for all staff with temporary or permanent mobility issues?
- [ ] Are your Fire Warden lists up to date (accounting for staff turnover)?
- [ ] Is your FEEP linked to your Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)?
- [ ] For residential blocks: Have you shared your evacuation strategy electronically with the local Fire Service?
- [ ] Is there a hard copy of the plan in your Secure Information Box?
Conclusion: Beyond Compliance
Understanding what FEEP stands for is the first step, but valid compliance requires action. The shift in 2025 and 2026 toward stricter regulation signals that the UK government is no longer tolerating passive fire safety management.
The difference between a “paper exercise” and a functional FEEP is seen during an emergency. A robust plan, supported by PEEPs and clear communication, prevents panic, protects your assets, and saves lives.
Do not wait for a Fire Officer to issue an enforcement notice. Review your Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan today, consult with your staff, and ensure your “Responsible Person” duties are fully discharged.
FAQs
What is a FEEP in fire safety?
A FEEP (Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan) is a written document detailing the actions staff and visitors must take during a fire, including escape routes, assembly points, and how to raise the alarm.
Is a FEEP a legal requirement for small businesses?
Yes. While you only legally need to write it down if you have five or more employees (or a licence), the Fire Safety Order requires all businesses to have a plan. Writing it down is the best way to prove you have one.
How often should a FEEP be reviewed?
At least annually. However, you should also review it immediately after any staff changes, building renovations, or following a fire drill/incident.
What is the difference between FEEP and PEEP?
A FEEP covers the evacuation strategy for everyone in the building. A PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) is a specific plan for one individual who needs assistance to evacuate.
Who is the ‘Responsible Person’ under the Fire Safety Order?
The Responsible Person is usually the employer, the building owner, or the landlord. If you have control over the premises, you are likely the Responsible Person.
Do I need a FEEP for a block of flats?
Yes. Under the new Fire Safety (England) Regulations, residential buildings must have a clear evacuation strategy (often called a BEEP) and share it with residents and the fire service.
Can I use a generic FEEP template?
You can use a template as a starting point, but it must be customised. A generic plan that mentions “lifts” when your building has none, or “car park assembly point” when you don’t have a car park, will fail a fire safety audit.
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