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Introduction

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, or PEEP, is a bespoke plan for individuals who may have difficulties evacuating a building to a place of safety without support or assistance from others.

Who Needs a PEEP?

PEEPs may be required for any member of the University community (staff, students, visitors) that may have one or more of the following:

  • Mobility impairment
  • Sight impairment
  • Hearing impairment
  • Neurodiverse or mental health conditions
  • Other circumstances that may affect a person’s ability to evacuate (this could include people with underlying health conditions, or who are pregnant or who have a short-term injury, such as a broken leg).

The key question that determines whether a PEEP is required is “Can you evacuate a building unaided in a reasonably prompt manner during an emergency situation?” If the answer is “no” then a PEEP is likely to be required.

How do I get a PEEP?

University Library users

In the case of University Library members, alumni and readers who make regular use of the University Library, the Reader Services Desk team will take responsibility for ensuring that a PEEP is completed. The University Library’s PEEP form may be found here: PEEP form. Please email disability@lib.cam.ac.uk to arrange a time to complete this with a member of Library staff or book an in-person appointment.

If you are using other Cambridge University Libraries, please check with the library that you intend to use for full advice on their evacuation process and PEEP procedure.

Members of Cambridge University Libraries Staff

If you need assistance evacuating a building, even if this is only on a temporary basis, you should bring this to the attention of your line manager. Your line manager is responsible for working with you to complete your PEEP. You do not need to reveal any personal medical information but you should tell your line manager about anything that affects your ability to evacuate a building.

Short-Term Visitors

For short-term visitors, such as guest lecturers or attendees at University Library events, such as open days, or Library tours, it is not practical to put in place individual PEEPs. The University Library has general emergency evacuation procedures that are used in place of a PEEP for these occasions.

Review

PEEPs should be reviewed at least annually. More frequent reviews will be required if your condition changes. Reviews should also be carried out if there is reason to believe that changes are required, for example as a result of a fire drill where the PEEP arrangements are identified as being inadequate.

The PEEP Process

Once the potential need for a PEEP is identified, Reader Services staff will work with University Library users to complete the PEEP form. For members of Library staff, your line manager will work through the PEEP form with you.

In the first instance, you will be asked to identify if you have any health conditions, disabilities or other circumstances that will affect your ability to get to a place of safety in the event of an emergency. If you answer no to each of these questions then no further action is required. This will be recorded on your PEEP form and the record will be placed on file.

If you answer yes to one or more categories then you will be asked to complete the relevant sections of the form. You do not need to provide any private or confidential information to identify any specific medical conditions or disabilities; we are only interested in identifying the support you require.

When formulating the PEEP the distinction should be made between core hours and non-core hours and it is probable that two plans should be created; one catering for each possibility.

Please contact disability@lib.cam.ac.uk or 01223 333030 for further information or to make an appointment to create a PEEP.

Contact us

e-mail: disability@lib.cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 333030

AccessAble Cambridge University Library access guide

Detailed access guides for the UL, the Moore Library and most faculty and departmental libraries are available via the University of Cambridge AccessAble site.