Evacuation Plans
Professionally prepared evacuation plans tailored to your building, occupancy and emergency arrangements, helping occupants leave safely during a fire or other emergency.
Professional Evacuation Plans
An evacuation plan provides clear procedures and escape information to help occupants leave a building safely in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Every building has different risks, layouts and occupants. The plan should therefore be tailored to the property, its use, the people who may be present and the emergency arrangements already in place.
One Stop Consult can coordinate professionally prepared evacuation plans for residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings, helping employers, owners and responsible persons manage their legal fire-safety duties.
What an Evacuation Plan Can Include
The exact content depends on the building and occupancy, but the plan may include the following information.
Building-Specific Procedures
Clear instructions tailored to the layout, use and emergency arrangements of the premises.
Escape Routes and Exits
Clearly identified routes, stairways, final exits and alternative escape options.
Assembly Points
Designated safe locations where occupants should gather after leaving the building.
Alarm Procedures
Instructions covering alarm activation, raising the alarm and notifying emergency services.
Staff and Fire-Warden Duties
Responsibilities for staff, managers, fire wardens and other designated persons.
Emergency Contacts
Key internal and external contact details for use during an emergency.
Why Evacuation Planning Is Important
During an emergency, people may have very little time to understand what is happening and decide how to respond. A clear plan reduces confusion and helps occupants act quickly.
Evacuation planning also helps identify issues before an incident occurs, including unsuitable assembly points, unclear escape routes, gaps in staff responsibilities and the needs of vulnerable occupants.
Legal Responsibilities and Fire Safety
The Responsible Person has a legal duty to establish suitable emergency procedures under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
An effective evacuation plan forms part of these arrangements and helps ensure occupants understand how to respond safely during a fire.
Plans may also be prepared with reference to the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and relevant British Standards where applicable, depending on the building and purpose of the instruction.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, commonly known as a PEEP, provides tailored arrangements for a person who may require additional assistance to evacuate safely.
This may include people with reduced mobility, sensory impairments, temporary injuries, medical needs or other circumstances affecting their ability to use the standard evacuation route.
Escape Routes, Exits and Assembly Points
Primary Escape Routes
The normal route occupants should use when evacuating the building.
Alternative Routes
Backup routes where the primary escape route is unavailable or affected by fire.
Final Exits
Doors leading occupants from the building to a place of safety.
Assembly Points
Safe external locations where occupants can be accounted for without obstructing emergency services.
Refuges
Temporary protected locations used as part of an assisted evacuation strategy where applicable.
External Escape Conditions
Consideration of gates, access roads, courtyards, vehicle routes and other external hazards.
Staff, Fire Wardens and Management Duties
Raising the Alarm
Clear responsibility for activating the alarm and contacting the fire and rescue service.
Guiding Occupants
Fire wardens or staff may direct people towards safe exits and prevent re-entry.
Checking Designated Areas
Agreed sweep procedures may be used where safe and appropriate.
Assisting Vulnerable People
Named persons may provide support in accordance with relevant PEEPs.
Assembly-Point Control
Occupants should be directed to the correct location and accounted for.
Liaison With Firefighters
A responsible person should be available to provide relevant building and occupancy information.
Building Layout and Evacuation Diagrams
Layout diagrams can be included where required to show escape routes, final exits, fire alarm points, firefighting equipment and assembly locations.
Diagrams should be clear, easy to understand and based on the current building layout.
How the Evacuation Plan Process Works
The service begins with a review of the building, occupancy and existing fire-safety information.
Initial Review
Confirm the premises, occupancy, risks and available fire-safety documents.
Scope and Quotation
Agree the written procedures, drawings, PEEPs and site visit requirements.
Plan Development
Prepare the evacuation procedure around the actual building and occupancy.
Documentation
Issue the written plan and building diagrams where included.
Implementation and Review
Communicate the plan, train relevant staff and review it when circumstances change.
Evacuation Plans for a Range of Premises
When Should an Evacuation Plan Be Updated?
Layout Changes
Altered doors, partitions, escape routes or assembly points can affect the plan.
Occupancy Changes
New residents, staff, visitors or vulnerable occupants may require revised arrangements.
Fire-Safety System Changes
Alterations to alarms, smoke control or suppression systems may affect emergency procedures.
Following a Drill or Incident
Lessons from drills, false alarms or emergencies should be reflected in the plan.
Management Changes
Updated staff roles, contact details or fire-warden arrangements should be recorded.
Periodic Review
The plan should be reviewed regularly even where no major change has occurred.
Information Required for a Quotation
Provide the full property address, building use, number of storeys, approximate occupancy and preferred completion date.
Please also provide floor plans, the latest fire-risk assessment, fire strategy, existing emergency procedures and details of any vulnerable occupants or known PEEP requirements.
Evacuation Plans Across England and Wales
One Stop Consult coordinates professionally prepared evacuation plans for suitable residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings across England and Wales.
Other Services Your Building May Require
Important Evacuation Plan Information
An evacuation plan is based on the building layout, occupancy, management arrangements and information available at the time of preparation. The Responsible Person remains responsible for implementation, staff training, drills, maintenance of escape routes and keeping the plan under review. Significant changes to the building, use, occupancy or fire-safety systems may require the plan to be revised. Individual PEEPs should be prepared with appropriate consultation and kept confidentially where personal information is involved. One Stop Consult provides consultancy and coordination support through experienced fire-safety specialists.
Evacuation Plan FAQs
What is an evacuation plan?
It is a building-specific document explaining how occupants should respond and leave safely during a fire or other emergency.
What information can the plan include?
It can include escape routes, exits, assembly points, alarm procedures, staff duties, PEEPs, emergency contacts and diagrams.
Who is responsible for evacuation procedures?
The Responsible Person must establish suitable emergency procedures and ensure they are communicated and maintained.
What is a PEEP?
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan provides tailored arrangements for an individual who may need additional support to evacuate.
Are evacuation diagrams included?
Building layout diagrams can be included where required and agreed within the scope.
Does every building use the same evacuation procedure?
No. Procedures should reflect the building layout, occupancy, hazards and fire-safety strategy.
How often should the plan be reviewed?
It should be reviewed regularly and whenever the layout, occupancy, management or fire-safety arrangements change.
Do staff need training?
Relevant staff should understand the evacuation procedure, their responsibilities and the assistance required by vulnerable people.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Provide the address, building use, occupancy, floor plans, fire-risk assessment and any existing emergency procedures.
Request Your Free Evacuation Plan Quote
Complete the form below with the property address, building use and occupancy details. Upload the latest floor plans, fire-risk assessment, fire strategy and any existing emergency procedures so our team can review the requirement and coordinate an appropriate quotation.