The Grenfell Phase 1 Report and the Government Consultation on PEEPs
Just over 40% of the disabled people who lived in London’s Grenfell Tower died during the tragedy. In the Phase 1 Report of the Public Inquiry that followed (October 2019), one of the recommendations made (Chapter 33, Section 12: Evacuation) was that the Government should develop national guidelines for carrying out partial or total evacuations of high-rise residential buildings which should include procedures for evacuating persons unable to use stairs in an emergency and those who may require assistance, such as disabled people, older people and young children.
The Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans in High-Rise Residential Buildings Consultation took place in the summer of 2021. It focused on two of the recommendations in the Phase 1 Report, which were set out in paragraphs 33.22(e) and 33.22(f):
e. that the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to prepare PEEPs for all residents whose ability to self-evacuate may be compromised (such as persons with reduced mobility or cognition); and
f. that the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building be required by law to include up-to-date information about persons with reduced mobility and their associated PEEPs in the premises information box.
The Consultation received close to 400 responses. The respondents represented a wide range of groups and individuals that included Fire and Rescue Services, fire safety professionals, local authorities and other responsible persons, disability groups, residents' groups and Grenfell survivors. The responses received showed a clear approval of measures that would improve the safety of residents unable to self-evacuate in an emergency situation.
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