Fire Safety 2026: The New Evacuation Rules Coming in April

This blog explains the new evacuation requirements coming into force in April 2026 under the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations and what they mean for hotels, serviced accommodation and wider hospitality settings. 

Here is what you need to know and how to prepare. 

What changes in April 2026? 

From April 2026, accommodation providers will be required to meet clearer expectations around evacuation planning under the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations. These updates sit alongside the Fire Safety Order and recent changes to building safety legislation and they create a more structured approach to managing fire evacuations in premises where people sleep. 

The new requirements focus on: 

• Clear evacuation strategies for all guests.

• Documented evacuation plans.

• Accessible information for vulnerable individuals.

• Stronger handover processes during an emergency.

• Evidence of staff understanding and training.

These changes apply to any accommodation where guests sleep, including: 

• Hotels.

• Serviced apartments. 

• Aparthotels. 

• Hostels. 

• PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation).

• Holiday parks with lodges or cabins. 

• Leisure accommodation complexes. 

• Mixed use buildings with residential and hospitality areas. 

If people sleep on the premises, you are expected to meet the new evacuation expectations. 

Key requirements explained 

1. A clear evacuation strategy for your site

Your building must have a defined evacuation strategy that all staff understand. This may be: 

• Stay put. 

• Simultaneous evacuation. 

• Phased evacuation. 

• A hybrid approach supported by compartmentation. 

The strategy you use should be documented and easy for all staff to explain. 

2. Documented evacuation plans

You must have a written evacuation plan that covers: 

• How the alarm is raised. 

• Staff roles during evacuation. 

• Escape routes. 

• Assembly points. 

• How vulnerable or mobility impaired guests are supported. 

• Communication with emergency services. 

This needs to be accessible, up to date and reviewed regularly. 

3. Support for vulnerable guests

While venues are not required to create Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for every guest, you must ensure: 

• Your evacuation plan considers people with reduced mobility. 

• Team members understand how to provide safe assistance. 

• Equipment such as evacuation chairs is available where needed. 

• Information is easy for guests to understand. 

Clear signage and staff confidence are key. 

4. Stronger emergency handover information

Responsible Persons must ensure: 

• Key building information is available for emergency services. 

• Staff know what information they should share. 

• Fire action notices and plans are visible and clear. 

This helps fire crews make faster decisions on arrival. 

5. Team training and consistent briefings

The new regulations place greater emphasis on ensuring staff know their role in an evacuation. Operators should focus on: 

• Quick, clear instructions. 

• Knowing primary and alternate escape routes. 

• Understanding guest support procedures. 

• Staying calm during an incident. 

Short, frequent briefings are more effective than annual sessions alone. 

How to prepare before April 2026 

Here is a simple action list for accommodation teams: 

 Review your existing evacuation strategy – Check it still matches your building layout and resident profile. 

Update your written evacuation plan  – Make sure it is simple enough for all staff to use in an emergency. 

Walk every escape route – Look for obstacles, signage issues and visibility concerns. 

Check nighttime procedures – Night teams often have reduced staffing which means clear roles are essential. 

Test alarms and communicate with guests  – Ensure your systems work and that guests know what to do if they hear the alarm. 

Brief all teams – Consistency is vital. Every shift should understand the same key actions. 

What this means for hospitality operators 

These changes are not intended to add unnecessary pressure. They are designed to bring clarity and create a structure that supports safer evacuations across the sector. The strongest operators will: 

• Keep documentation simple.

• Embed daily awareness into frontline routines.

• Review escape routes with fresh eyes. 

• Give short, regular briefings to teams. 

• Prepare for mixed-use building challenges.

Small improvements make a significant difference when every second counts. 

How Shield Assure supports accommodation providers 

When legislation changes, the biggest challenge for teams is staying organised. Shield Assure keeps key checks, updates and essential fire safety routines in one place, so staff always know what to do and when to do it. It supports confident decision making during busy periods and helps operators maintain steady standards across every shift. 

If you would like to see how Shield Assure supports fire safety routines in real hospitality settings you can contact us here.