Glossary — Fire Safety Law
Refuge Area
A refuge area is not a place to shelter from a fire — it is a protected holding point, enclosed in fire-resisting construction, where a person who cannot use the stairs waits for evacuation assistance. It is a designed element of the building's fire strategy, not a fallback option.
Definition
Refuge area — an area enclosed by fire-resisting construction within or adjacent to a protected escape staircase, fitted with two-way communication equipment, where a person unable to use the stairs can wait safely for evacuation assistance during a fire. Required under Approved Document B for new multi-storey buildings; provision for existing buildings is assessed under the RRO 2005.
Refuge area design requirements
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Fire resistance | Enclosed by fire-resisting construction for the same rating as the adjacent escape staircase — typically 30 or 60 minutes |
| Size | Minimum 900 mm × 1,400 mm clear space for a standard wheelchair; 1,400 mm × 1,400 mm recommended for a powered wheelchair or motorised scooter |
| Location | Within a protected staircase enclosure, or in a protected lobby immediately adjacent to the staircase |
| Two-way communication | An intercom or voice alarm system connecting the refuge to the building's fire control point and to the fire service on arrival; mandatory under BS 5839-9 |
| Signage | ISO 7010 E025 symbol (wheelchair with arrow); must be clearly visible; illuminated or photoluminescent |
| Access to staircase | Should not require the user to re-enter the general fire compartment to reach the staircase |
| PEEP documentation | The refuge is part of a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) — each person who may use the refuge should have a named PEEP |
Refuges and the wider evacuation strategy
A refuge area only functions if it is part of a rehearsed evacuation procedure. The responsible person must ensure that: fire marshals know the refuge locations; the two-way communication system is tested regularly; evacuation chairs are available and staff are trained to use them; and PEEPs are in place and current for all identified users. A refuge area on a building drawing that has no associated procedure, no trained staff, and no PEEPs is not a functional provision.
For the broader means of escape context in which refuges operate, see our means of escape entry and our fire compartmentation entry. For the full disabled persons fire safety framework, see our fire safety for disabled persons guide.
Common deficiencies found in practice
- Refuge areas used for storage, reducing available wheelchair space
- Two-way communication system not tested or found non-functional on inspection
- No PEEPs in place for known disabled occupants
- Fire marshals unaware of the location of refuges
- Refuge signage missing, obscured, or non-illuminated
- Doors into the refuge area not self-closing or failing the smoke seal requirement
Frequently asked questions
FAQ