What is a PEEP?
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is a customised evacuation strategy designed for individuals who might require additional support to reach a place of safety during an emergency, or who may not be able to do so within a reasonable timeframe without assistance. A PEEP highlights the necessary extra aid or specific arrangements to help the individual, as well as those around them, to make sure they understand what actions to take during an evacuation to ensure everyone’s safety.
Permanent PEEP vs temporary PEEP
There are two types of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs): permanent and temporary.
Temporary PEEPs are for those with temporary medical conditions, such as individuals in the later stages of pregnancy or those with short-term injuries such as a broken leg.
Permanent PEEPs are necessary for anyone who requires assistance when exiting a building during an emergency, including the following examples:
wheelchair users
deaf or blind individuals
those with certain medical conditions that can affect stair use such as asthma
those with neurodiverse or cognitive / mental health conditions
Given this, permanent PEEPs are often required in care homes.
What’s included in a PEEP?
According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “responsible person” has a legal obligation to create PEEPs for anyone who requires assistance as part of their fire risk assessment duties. So for example, fire risk assessments for care homes should include PEEPs for all individuals who require one.
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is tailored to an individual and their environment and will vary significantly based on these factors. Nonetheless, most PEEPs typically contain information about:
The individual for whom the PEEP was developed.
The escape route that the individual will use during a fire emergency
The individuals who have been designated to provide assistance to the individual during an evacuation
Any special equipment needed, such as an evacuation chair
If it’s necessary to have a PEEP then it means you’re dealing with especially vulnerable people which makes it even more vital for you to conduct regular fire risk assessments that should include things like fire door inspections, evacuation procedures and staff fire training.
For help with your care home fire risk assessments, contact us at Martyn Young Fireproofing Consultant. We can make sure your care home fire risk assessment is accurate, thorough and completely bespoke to your particular care home and its residents.
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