Evacuation equipment manufacturer Evac+Chair has published a new White Paper highlighting the importance of comprehensive, building-specific evacuation strategies to support the safety of vulnerable residents.

Titled Beyond Stay Put, the White Paper explores the potential risks associated with relying solely on a ‘Stay Put’ strategy, which advises residents who are not directly affected by fire or smoke to remain in their flats during a fire incident.

Established in 1982, Birmingham-based Evac+Chair developed the original evacuation chair and now provides evacuation equipment, training and support to organisations in more than 70 countries, helping to facilitate the safe and dignified evacuation of people with mobility impairments.

The publication draws attention to findings from the English Housing Survey, which indicate that 59% of social-rented households include at least one person with a long-term illness or disability. This highlights the importance of ensuring that evacuation arrangements take account of residents who may require additional assistance, particularly where fire compartmentation fails or conditions within a building deteriorate.

The White Paper emphasises the need for a comprehensive approach to evacuation planning that considers the specific characteristics of individual buildings and the needs of their occupants.

It also examines the introduction of Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs), which came into force in April 2026, and the importance of identifying residents who may require assistance in the event of an evacuation.

Research undertaken by Evac+Chair suggests that challenges remain in understanding and implementing these requirements. Senior professionals working across the housing, property and care sectors rated their understanding of the legislation predominantly between five and seven out of ten, while one senior property manager rated their confidence in translating the requirements into practical measures at just two out of ten.

The research identifies several barriers to effective implementation, including incomplete resident information, inconsistent assessment approaches, building constraints and uncertainty surrounding responsibilities, staffing, training and equipment provision.

A key finding is that identifying an individual's evacuation needs through an RPEEP must be supported by appropriate practical arrangements to ensure those needs can be met.

The White Paper also considers the challenges faced within care settings. Separate research conducted by Evac+Chair in partnership with Care Home Magazine found that 78% of professionals surveyed considered a ‘Stay Put’ approach appropriate only ‘sometimes’ or ‘rarely’ for residents with mobility or cognitive impairments.

Furthermore, 79% of respondents believed that the use of ‘Stay Put’ strategies in care homes should be reconsidered.

Claire Blakemore (managing director of Evac+Chair) commented: “The ‘Stay Put’ strategy may be an appropriate Plan A, but no resident should be left without another way out of the building if the conditions supporting it start to crumble. RPEEPs are a significant step forward. However, they must now be backed by realistic procedures, trained individuals on-site and appropriate equipment in order to ensure that Plan B works when lives are at risk.”

The findings reinforce the importance of regularly reviewing fire safety arrangements, considering the needs of all building occupants and ensuring that evacuation strategies are supported by suitable procedures, equipment and training.

Beyond Stay Put follows Evac+Chair's award-winning Risky Business White Paper, which examined gaps in inclusive evacuation planning within workplace environments.

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