Escape routes are the lifeline in any fire emergency. If a fire starts, people rely on clear, well‑planned means of escape, which is protected, to reach a safe location unharmed.
That’s why it’s vital for any public building or residential accommodation to have planned escape routes under UK law (specifically the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005).
These routes are part of your fire safety risk assessment and must lead directly to safety, without obstacles or delay
In practical terms, escape routes need to:
- lead directly to a safe place outside the building
- allow prompt evacuation for everyone, including those with mobility needs
- be sufficient in number and width for the occupancy
- be protected from fire and smoke
What features should fire escape routes have?
1. Plenty of exits where they’re needed
There should be enough emergency exits provided for the number of occupants so people can evacuate quickly, even during busy periods. Ideally exits are positioned to give people different escape directions.
2. Clear and short paths
Corridors and stairs must be free from clutter, and travel distances must meet the requirements in Approved Document B which specifies different distances determined by the type of premises:
- One direction available – 9m to 25m
- More than one directions – 18m – 25m
If you’re not sure if your escape routes are within the required distances, you can access the relevant document here:
Approved Document B – Vol 1 – Dwellings
Approved Document B – Vol 2 – Buildings other than dwellings
3. Doors that open easily
Fire exit doors shouldn’t need a key and must open quickly, ideally swinging outwards in the direction of travel.
There should be no sliding or revolving doors on escape routes and if there are, there should be a failsafe in place.
4. Fire safety signs and lighting
During a fire emergency, every change of direction needs a clear fire safety sign. If lights fail, emergency lighting needs to be there to guide people out.
5. Safe stairways and corridors
Staircases and corridors used for escape should be protected from smoke and fire. The construction of the walls, floors and ceiling should be with fire resisting materials and doors leading into the escape should be fire doors. Lifts should never be used in a fire emergency.
6. Help for people who need it
For anyone who is regularly in the premises and requires assistance to evacuate there should be a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) in place, so staff know how to assist them.
Not sure whether you need a PEEP or GEEP? Read our guide.
Keeping escape routes working
To keep your fire escape routes ready for any emergency, you should perform:
- Daily checks if many people use the building (shops, schools, or busy offices).
- Weekly checks in medium-use buildings (offices or shared housing).
- Monthly checks in low-use or storage-only areas.
- Fire safety drills at least once a year to identify any slow spots or problem areas.
Check that corridors are clear, exit doors open easily, signs are visible, emergency lights work and fire doors are functioning correctly.
Keep a record of each inspection and take note of any concerns or potential hazards so they can be addressed quickly.
Escape routes and fire risk assessments
What is a fire risk assessment for?
First off, a fire risk assessment is a simple process to check your building for fire hazards, decide if people could be harmed, and make changes if needed to reduce those risks by removing the hazards or by introducing relevant fire safety equipment.
It’s a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – the law that covers fire safety in England and Wales. Since the introduction of the Building Fire Safety Act 2022, section 156 has new responsibilities for those persons responsible for fire safety.
Fire emergency escape routes
A big part of this risk check is planning and testing escape routes. The law clearly states (in Article 14) that the responsible person must ensure routes and emergency exits:
- are always clear and usable
- lead as directly as possible to a safe place outside the building
- match the size, layout and number of people who need to escape
So during the fire risk assessment, the assessor needs to:
- Map out the routes people will take to get out
- Check that doors work and open easily (no locks, use push-panels for panic escape)
- Measure travel distances (see gov.uk guidance)
- Confirm routes are wide enough and lead safely through staircases or corridors without passing through high‑risk areas
What’s expected of the responsible person?
If you’re the responsible person (like a business owner, landlord, or manager) you have to:
- Carry out (or commission) the fire risk assessment and record it in writing, since October 2023 (Building Safety Act 2022) it is required by law to record all findings not just the significant ones.
- Regularly review it, especially if the building use, layout, or occupancy changes.
- Make sure escape routes stay clear and functional at all times (performing daily or weekly checks as needed), adding any notes or updates to a fire safety logbook.
- Make sure signs and emergency lighting along routes are maintained and visible.
- Train staff or fire wardens so people know the routes to take and how to use them safely. Every FireRiskAssessment.com service includes basic fire safety training – we offer expert fire warden training as a separate service.
Using a UK fire risk assessment template
If you’re not sure what your risk assessment needs to include, you can use templates like our fire safety checklist, the HSE fire risk assessment template, or PAS 79 to help you.
These templates help you cover all legal requirements, record your findings, and complete the escape routes checklist (e.g. “are routes clear?”, “do doors open?”, “are distances reasonable?”).
Most government or HSE templates follow the GOV.UK 5‑step checklist, which includes means-of-escape questions as a key item.
Protect your premises with FireRiskAssessments.com
If you’re responsible for a building, arranging a professional fire risk assessment is the safest choice, especially because you’re legally required to have one.
Trying to do it yourself can leave gaps; you might overlook hazards, under‑estimate risks, or fail to meet strict legal standards.
When you hire a qualified assessor from FireRiskAssessments.com, you get:
- Expert guidance that ensures compliance and protects people
- A clear, written report based on recognised fire safety standards
- Lower long‑term costs – from avoided fire damage to reduced insurance premiums
Want peace of mind, full legal compliance and better fire safety? Get a free, no‑obligation fire risk assessment quote today and see how affordable, straightforward and essential this step really is.