Current status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with local authorities regarding the implementation of its guidance on the safe evacuation of disabled people and the development of personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEP) in schools and other educational establishments.
The Scottish Government engages with Local Authorities on a wide range of education-related issues.
In Scotland, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 place a duty on an employer and other dutyholders who have control of safety obligations in respect of non-domestic premises, which includes educational establishments, to carry out a fire safety risk assessment, take adequate fire safety measures and keep the assessment under review. Fire safety measures include formulating an emergency fire action plan with evacuation arrangements for all people likely to be in the premises, including disabled people.
For staff and children in educational premises who may not be able to self-evacuate, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) should be discussed and developed as part of their enrolment and subsequently practiced, to ensure any necessary amendments to the plan are made.
Scottish Government guidance on Practical fire safety guidance on the evacuation of disabled persons from buildings is well established and is available on the Scottish Government website for those who seeking further information and guidance on this issue. Scottish Government Education officials have highlighted this important guidance again to Local Authorities through their Scottish Heads of Property Services and Association of Directors of Education in Scotland networks.