General Emergency Evacuation Plans

A General Emergency Evacuation Plan is a plan that provides information on a building’s layout, evacuation procedures, equipment and communication devices used in an emergency for people who are unfamiliar with the building. While they are useful for all staff, students, and visitors, GEEPs are designed to give people with restricted mobility, or those who can’t evacuate unaided, the information they need prior to arrival to do so safely and effectively.

A PEEP is a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. This bespoke ‘escape plan’ is for individuals who may not be able to reach a point of safety unaided, or within an adequate amount of time, during an emergency. Unlike a GEEP, a PEEP is tailor-made for an individual to secure their safety in the event of an emergency evacuation. The plan must be drawn up with the individual so that the evacuation method can be agreed upon. As well as detailing the escape routes, the PEEP will identify the people who will assist in the evacuation and training.

The university is required to provide GEEPs. It’s that simple. Knowing whether you need a PEEP, however, isn’t as straightforward. To ensure the right outcome, you should ask yourself, “Can the employee, student or regular visitor evacuate the building unaided, promptly, during an emergency?” If the answer to that question is “no”, a PEEP is needed. If you are in doubt as to whether a GEEP or PEEP is required, please contact the Health & Safety Department at healthandsafety@keele.ac.uk .

A PEEP isn’t needed for everyone with a disability or an impairment. If the individual can leave the building unaided safely and within an acceptable period of time, they will not need a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. However, it’s always best to speak to the individual before settling on a decision, because while they may not have a problem entering and exiting the building, they may need assistance in an emergency.