When every second counts: why care homes need personal evacuation plans

For many families, a care home is so much more than a place of residence. Over time, it becomes a trusted sanctuary of comfort and round-the-clock care.

With over 16,700 care homes supporting more than 440,000 residents across the UK, the scale and importance of the sector cannot be denied. However, these environments are also complex, and with high vulnerability among residents, this makes safety planning essential.

Fire risk in care settings is very real. In 2023/24, there were 485 primary fires in UK care homes, resulting in 57 non-fatal casualties. Incidents like the 2019 Hertfordshire fatal care home fire are a sobering reminder that behind each statistic is a vulnerable person, and a care team under pressure to act quickly.

This is why robust evacuation planning, including personally tailored PEEPs and a facility-wide GEEP, is not just best practice but lifesaving. Emergencies can escalate fast and, without a tailored evacuation plan in place, lives and dignity are put at risk.

More than a PEEP: why evacuation planning matters

Effective evacuation planning isn’t just a matter of legal obligation – it’s a moral responsibility and a central component of resident safety. In a care home, where many residents have mobility limitations, cognitive impairments or severe medical conditions, evacuating without having a tried and tested plan can become extremely dangerous or even fatal.

This is where Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and Generic Emergency Evacuation Plans [GEEPs] come in. A ‘PEEP’ is a personalised, detailed strategy, built into the care plan and fire risk assessment of residents, who are unable to safely evacuate a building independently in an emergency. It considers their specific needs, ranging from mobility assistance and communication difficulties to the use of vital equipment like evacuation chairs. Most importantly, it sets out who is responsible for helping that individual and what steps need to be followed.

In contrast, a ‘GEEP’ offers clear guidance by outlining the steps required to evacuate safely – such as designated assembly points and exit routes – specifically for visitors, temporary staff or contractors. This generic plan helps address the unpredictability of precisely who might be on-site at any given moment.

Together, PEEPs and GEEPs form the basis of a comprehensive evacuation plan, but evacuation planning goes beyond paperwork. It requires ongoing reviews, staff training, reliable equipment and knowledge of the building’s layout and dangers. When executed well, these plans can mean the difference between chaos and control, and risk and reassurance.

Understanding the legal duties in care home evacuation

Evacuation planning in care homes isn’t just good practice – it’s a legal requirement. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021, the designated “responsible person”, typically the care home manager or operator, has a legal duty to ensure that everyone in the building can be safely evacuated during an emergency. This includes those who may need extra assistance due to limited mobility or cognitive impairment – a group that represents the majority in care home settings.

Furthermore, the Equality Act 2010 requires that individuals with mobility impairments are not placed at a disadvantage compared to others. This means that reasonable adjustments, including the provision of evacuation equipment such as an Evac+Chair and properly trained staff, are not optional – they are legal obligations.

Failing to plan adequately puts care providers at risk of regulatory penalties, legal liability and reputational damage, but more importantly, it puts lives at risk.

Not your average evacuation – the realities of care home evacuation

Evacuating a care home is not like evacuating an average workplace or public building due to the complexity of the residents’ needs, many of whom can’t simply comply with standard procedures or exit independently.

Residents often rely heavily on lifts to move between floors, but when they stop working in an emergency, immobile residents can be left stranded.

The impact isn’t only physical. Being unable to leave their rooms can result in fear, confusion and serious distress, and the impact on mental and emotional wellbeing can be just as dangerous as the physical risk.

This causes ongoing anxiety for residents, families and staff. The uncertainty of “what would happen to me in a fire?” becomes a barrier to inclusion and wellbeing.

This challenge is further exacerbated by low staff-to-resident ratios, especially during night shifts. In addition, many care homes are often located in older, multi-storey buildings and therefore not constructed to meet today’s evacuation standards, making emergency planning even more crucial.

Together, these factors highlight that generic fire safety policies are not sufficient. As health conditions evolve – and in some cases deteriorate – PEEPs must be regularly reviewed, along with the overall evacuation plan and reinforced through regular fire drills. Care homes must also ensure the availability of appropriate equipment and trained staff to carry them out effectively.

Evacuate with confidence

Even the best evacuation plan is only as effective as the tools and training behind it. For residents unable to use stairs independently, evacuation chairs are essential – not just a ‘nice to have’. According to Greenwich University, the Evac+Chair 300H evacuation chair is the fastest method of escape in emergency situations for those with reduced mobility.

However, speed alone isn’t enough. Staff must be trained not only in how to operate the equipment, but also in how to do so safely and confidently under pressure. If an evacuation chair is operated incorrectly or with hesitation, it can delay the process or even place residents and carers at risk.

This is why staff need hands-on training and regular practice to keep skills current – not just once, but throughout the year. Staff need to know exactly what to do, how to use the equipment in real-world conditions and how to remain calm and coordinated during a high-stress situation. In addition, regular maintenance ensures each evacuation chair remains fully operational and ready for use when it is needed most.

In care homes, where time is precious and lives are on the line, the correct equipment coupled with the right training can make all the difference.