In the press: Understanding the impact of PEEPs on block management

Our Director of Risk David Flack shared his thoughts with News on the Block, read the whole article here

Since Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) became a requirement for higher-risk residential buildings in April, the industry has been getting to grips with the practical realities of implementing tailored support and planning designed to ensure residents who may have difficulty evacuating during an emergency.

In his piece, David highlights the scale of the challenge facing Responsible Persons (RP), Resident Management Companies (RMCs) and managing agents in effectively delivering a highly personalised and resource-intensive process across large residential portfolios.

Challenges and considerations mentioned include:

• Identifying vulnerable residents when residents cannot be compelled to disclose vulnerabilities, but ‘all reasonable efforts’ must be taken, utilising a variety of different mediums including portals, letters or posters and engaging with residents.
• Qualifying resident data to identify those individuals for whom a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) may be required. If the resident declines to participate in the PCFRA, the RP therefore must ensure clear and accurate records that demonstrate steps taken in identifying and offering the PCFRA.
• Ensuring PCFRAs are carried out by a competent person, for example, a fire risk assessor who can lead a wide-ranging discussion around any aspect that may impact fire risk or evacuation including vulnerabilities, lifestyle factors or medical equipment. Assessors must be able to navigate potentially challenging or intrusive conversations sensitively.
• Proposing suitable measures and risk mitigations, dependant on the individual, the building and the circumstances.
• Navigating cost considerations when implementing recommended measures, as residents can’t be compelled to implement change as it is likely to be at resident expense.
• Continual engagement with residents in case circumstances or needs change

Why this is an important read:

The new PEEPs regime increases responsibility and perceived liability on Responsible Persons, whether they be Freeholders, RMCs or Right to Manage (RTM) companies. To get into the best possible position, property managers or Responsible Persons should already be working to identify the buildings that this applies to and gather a baseline of quality contact information to support engagement and ongoing communications with residents, which will be critical to identifying those for whom vulnerabilities or existing conditions might impede evacuation.

For assessors and property service providers, investing in bespoke or tailored training is vital; a cookie-cutter approach simply won’t cut it anymore. Training needs to go far beyond the current market standards to help assessors develop the right interpersonal skills to deliver sensitive, human-centric assessments, and implement the right structure to create the best possible conditions for productive one-to-one conversations.

Even though PEEPS have been some time in the making, there has not been enough guidance or support to enable the sector to deliver what is a complex and nuanced stakeholder engagement programme effectively at scale, to achieve the ideal outcomes of ensuring timely, inclusive assistance during emergencies.

While PEEPs undoubtedly present a significant step-change in the skills required to stay compliant with building safety regulations, it also offers an opportunity for the sector to work together to collectively create a safer built environment for all.

Get in touch with David Flack to find out how SRVO Property can help you navigate the new requirements of Residential PEEPS on your portfolio – Email David.Flack@srvoproperty.com