A green illuminated Fire Exit sign with a running figure points left and right, mounted on a wooden ceiling in an indoor corridor. Another exit sign is visible further down the corridor.

Get out and stay out: fire evacuation plans and fire exits

Fire Risk Assessment, Complete Security Solutions

15 May 2026

A crucial element of any fire prevention plan is the provision of emergency exits and escape routes. The best fire detection and alarm system will inform your staff that they need to get out of the building via a signed route. If that route is blocked, locked, or via poorly lit emergency exits and corridors, that escape could be hindered at best and fail at worst.

As the Home Office “Guide for persons with duties under fire safety legislation” says:

“6.3. The provision of adequate means of escape from a fire is the most fundamental of the fire precautions incorporated in the design of a building. Therefore, fire safety legislation makes a number of requirements in respect of provision and maintenance of means of escape.”

Common obstructions we find in fire exists

At Spire, we’ve seen fire and other emergency exits in, frankly, shocking condition. The ones that haunt us most are:

Toys in a nursery blocking the hallways
Racking placed over fire escapes
Doors that cannot even be opened
Escape routes around a building overgrown with vegetation
No lighting or faulty emergency lighting so staff can’t see their way out

Some of the most common problems we still find are:

Fire extinguishers propping open fire doors especially in warm weather
Fire exit signage obscured by furniture such as filing cabinets
Fire doors obstructed by nearby desk/s
Fire exit corridors used as storage areas for janitorial supplies
Fire doors at the end of routes locked or with faulty push bars or locks.

Key considerations for emergency exits

If you are the ‘Responsible Person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it’s a major part of your duties to ensure that all fire exits are accessible to all.

The Responsible Person (whether an employer, building owner, or manager) is legally obliged to ensure all emergency exits and routes are clearly marked, safe to use, and are kept free from obstructions at all times. If not, this lack of attention can result in penalties if found during an inspection.

Checking your fire exits should be a major part of your fire risk assessment, including the points below. (If you need help with your Assessment call us at Spire and ask about our experienced Fire Risk Assessors.)

Clear Routes and Assembly Point: All exits must lead to a final place of safety outside the building, with the assembly point clearly signed throughout the building before exiting.
Emergency Exit and Fire Doors: All emergency doors must open easily and be maintained in full working order, with regular checks.
Accessibility: Fire doors must be able to be opened immediately and easily without a key.
Signage and Lighting: Exits must be indicated by proper signage, preferably photoluminescent (glow in the dark) signs which conform to EN ISO 7010.
Emergency Lighting: Lighting must be provided if the route is not illuminated. As the Home Office Guide reminds:

“Emergency escape lighting is lighting that provides adequate illumination of escape routes if the normal lighting fails. This can happen if, for example, a fire damages the cables to the normal lighting.” (1)

Direction of Escape: Doors should open in the direction of escape, and directly to a designated refuge area or a safe outside route to it.
Maintenance: Your Responsible Person should regularly test and maintain all fire doors, emergency lighting, and exit mechanisms, ensuring they are free from damage and that open/closing fixtures such as push bars work effectively.
Check the Capacity: As part of your fire risk assessment, you’ll need to work out the required number and width of exits for the building’s capacity.
Staff Training: You need to ensure your staff are familiar with all exit routes through training or information sharing.

Fire exits for disabled people

Your fire safety provision should include an emergency evacuation plan for all those who may be in your building at the time, including disabled staff and visitors. According to the Home Office (2)

“Where an employer or a service provider does not make provision for the safe evacuation of disabled people from its premises, this may be viewed as discrimination. It may also constitute a failure to comply with the requirements of the fire safety legislation (The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995).”

However the same document also advises that:

“When writing escape plans that include disabled people, there is sometimes a tendency to overplay the safety issue to the detriment of the independence and dignity of disabled people.”(2)

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

A PEEP is an individual escape plan tailored to the specific requirements of an individual working or regularly visiting your premises, and who might need additional assistance to exit your building. PEEPS come in two types:

Permanent
Temporary

According to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, a permanent PEEP might be required for employees and visitors who may have:

“Mobility impairments – unable to use stairs; slow or difficulty walking; distance limited; may impede the escape of others.

Sight impairments – difficulty identifying exit routes or obstructions, or reading signage, particularly emergency action notices.

Dexterity or strength – (difficulty) opening doors, particularly self-closers; operating door handles, snib locks, panic bars, lift controls etc.

Hearing impairments – awareness of alarm sounds; ability to hear verbal instructions/warnings.

Cognitive impairments – awareness of alarm systems such as bells, sirens, voice alarms; ability to act as directed; ability to interpret signs, instructions, warnings; unable to read; neurodiverse or mental health conditions; dementia.” (3)

You may also need to identify colleagues who will help with their evacuation, and ensure they are trained in any skills required. These skills may include the use of an evacuation chair, knowledge of accessible emergency exit routes near the refuge area, and means of communication in an emergency.

Working in different areas of your building

A PEEP may also need to take in consideration the individual working in multiple areas of your premises. For example, different provision (and potentially a different PEEP) would be required for a wheelchair user working primarily at ground floor level, but also on various storeys in the building.

If your building has standard lifts, they cannot be used in the event of an emergency. So other provision will need to be in place for assisting disabled staff and visitors to safety. (This doesn’t apply to specially designed ‘evacuation lifts’ that can be used in an emergency.)

You may also require a safe space or refuge where people can wait for assistance in a fire resistant area. As a document from the CHP explains:

“The refuge will allow a staged evacuation of the person with mobility issues. By waiting to evacuate, until the main rush of people have left the building, the risk of being caught up in the rush is eliminated.” (4)

How Spire can help

As experienced specialists in the design, installation, and servicing of fire systems, we have helped corporate clients across London and the Home Counties ensure all their personnel and visitors can exit their building easily. We can design systems, conduct Risk Assessments, provide the latest fire safety systems, and provide fire prevention items from fire extinguishers to emergency lighting.

About the author

David Whiteside is both Founder and Managing Director of Spire. David has been involved in the Fire & Security industry for over 15 years, experiencing the services at all technical and project levels. With a keen eye for detail, a passion for quality of work and unparalleled customer service, David ensures Spire F&D delivers a service that meets and exceeds to the demands of any industry and sector.