Easy PEEPS - Making sense of the Regulatory Reform Order

Need to comply with your obligations under the Regulatory Reform Act for disabled peoples means of escape?  Is there an easier way than wading through 144 pages of risk assessment guidance, followed up with the 54 pages of supplementary guidance ? 


There will be soon... 

The following is an extract from the government publication 'Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Means of Escape for Disabled People (Supplementary Guide)' and explains in detail the statutory obligations under the Regulatory reform Order.

The Fire Service’s role in the issue of Fire Evacuation is primarily that of prevention of fires.  It is the responsibility of the building manager to provide a Risk Assessment for the building, which includes a means of escape plan for all people including disabled people...

Public bodies have an additional duty, called the Disability Equality Duty (DED), which requires them to proactively promote the equality of disabled people. This will require them to do even more to ensure that disabled people do not face discrimination by not being provided with  a safe evacuation plan from a building.

So what does this mean in real terms for those tasked with this responsibility?


In the first instance, it could mean some serious bedtime reading getting up to speed with the 144 pages of the main fire risk assessment guidance document, followed up with the 54 pages of supplementary guidance for disabled peoples means of escape.  Follow this up with developing your own systems, policies and documentation and your looking at a formidable task.


There is of course the option of getting an Access Consultant with suitable experience to help guide you through the process, which in many cases is probably still the best option.  However, for those building managers that choose to go it alone, there will soon be another option.


We are currently developing a toolkit which will guide you through the process simply and step by step, making it easier to create the processes, systems and files necessary to meet your statutory obligations.


As author of the guidance document for the government, Su Peace is ideally suited to share her knowledge and approach to making this process as easy yet robust as possible.  The toolkit will include many templates and policies as well as suggested Building and Evacuation Capability documents to adapt to suit your building.


To register your interest, drop us an email at EasyPEEPS@qequality.co.uk and we'll send you some more details.