PIB® (Premises Information Boxes)
What Is a Premises Information Box (PIB®)?
A premises information box (PIB®) is a secure wall-mounted box that gives the fire and rescue service immediate access to critical building plans and information when they arrive at an incident.
The Gerda PIB® is the original version and was developed in 2005 in collaboration with the Fire and Rescue Service. Since then, secure information box (SIB) has become the generic industry term, while PIB® remains Gerda’s recognised product name.
The box was designed alongside operational firefighters, so it works the way they actually need it to: no power, no Wi-Fi, no reliance on anyone being on site.
The PIB® is used across a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, offices, transport infrastructure, listed buildings, warehouses, and places of assembly, among others.
If you’re responsible for fire safety compliance or managing a high-rise residential building, a Gerda PIB® with Emergency Response Plans (ERP) can form a key part of your obligations under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
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Call 01638 711028
for a quote today.
or fill out the contact form below and we will call you back
HSS PIB® C
- High-security cylinder with 30 billion key combinations, tested successfully in EN 1303:2015
- Successfully tested to STS 205 BR2
- Third Party Certification: Certisecure CS 5139
- Recognised focal point in line with FIA/NFCC Code of Practice
- No reliance on power, Wi-Fi, or on-site personnel
- Offers weather protection
- FRS access via GSP One Key® System; building owner access via bespoke key
- Emergency Response Plans (ERP) service as per FIA/NFCC code of practice
Key Features
The HSS PIB® C is Gerda’s high-security option, developed specifically for higher-risk residential buildings (HRRBs). It’s third-party certified and carries Secured by Design approval, with an annual security audit against STS 205 BR2, making it one of the most demanding standards in the sector.
Key Features
The Standard PIB® is designed for buildings that need a reliable, compliant, secure information box without the high-security specification required for HRRBs. It suits internal siting or sheltered, external locations, and is used across healthcare, education, commercial, and infrastructure settings.
PIB® Premises Information Box (Standard)
- The PIB® is designed under ISO 9001:2015 system
- Bespoke key access for building owners; FRS access via GSP One Key® System
- No reliance on power or personnel
- Cylinder technology with 30 billion key combinations, tested successfully in EN 1303:2015
- The Premises Information Box is a recognised focal point
- Emergency Response Plans (ERP) service as per FIA/NFCC code of practice
Gerda® ERP
- ERP Plans Service delivers clear and relevant information for the FRS
- ERP service as per FIA/NFCC Code of Practice
- Immediate access for FRS use
- 18 years’ experience producing ERP plans and contributing to the FIA/NFCC Code of Practice is acknowledged in the Code itself
- Digital customer copies provided
- Assists the FRS in evacuating residents safely out of their building
- Full survey service by qualified experts
- Assists with Fire Safety (England) 2022 Regulation 6
Key Features
A PIB® is only as useful as the information inside it. Gerda’s ERP (Emergency Response Plans) service produces A3 laminated plans that fire crews actually need at an incident. These include orientation plans, floor layouts, flat numbers, vertical sections, and firefighting equipment locations, all in the format specified by the FIA/NFCC Code of Practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Difference Between a PIB® and an SIB?
A PIB® and an SIB are the same product. PIB® is Gerda’s registered name; secure information box (SIB) is the term used in current legislation. If your building requires an SIB under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, a Gerda PIB® meets that requirement.
What goes in a Premises Information Box?
The contents are collectively called the Emergency Response Pack (ERP), as defined by the FIA/NFCC Code of Practice. For a residential high-rise, a compliant ERP should include:
- A3 laminated floor plans for each storey, showing flat numbers and layout
- An orientation plan showing access points and nearby water supplies
- Firefighting shaft, dry riser, hydrant, and lift locations
- Utility isolation points for gas, electricity, water, and solar panels
- The evacuation strategy and any Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
- An off-the-run notice for any fire safety equipment currently not operational
- A logbook for recording emergency use and maintenance
- Contact details for the responsible person
For non-residential buildings, the contents will vary, but the purpose is the same: give the Incident Commander the information they need on arrival. Gerda’s ERP plans service produces everything to the FIA/NFCC specification.
Where should I keep a Premises Information Box?
A PIB® should be at the entrance that the fire and rescue service is most likely to use. The FIA/NFCC Code of Practice specifies:
- Bottom edge at least 1.4m above floor level (up to 2.5m if vandalism is a risk)
- External siting is fine if the location is sheltered and well-lit
- White sans-serif text on a red background with the fire service pictogram, fixed by rivets or security screws
- Directional signage where the location isn’t immediately obvious
- More than one box may be needed for large premises with multiple entry points
It’s worth confirming the exact location with your local fire and rescue service before installation so they can add it to their mobilising systems.
How often do PIB®s need to be checked?
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 require responsible persons to inspect the PIB® at least annually. Each check should confirm:
- All documents are present, laminated, and up to date
- Floor plans reflect any building changes since the last review
- Off-the-run information is current
- The contact details of the responsible person are correct
- The box, lock, and fixings are undamaged
If the box has been accessed during an emergency, contents should be checked before it’s considered operational again. Gerda offers a maintenance service for both Standard and High Security PIB® models, with the option to combine it with an ERP review.
Performance in Detail
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More Information
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More Information
How do I find out more about legislative requirements
We have a requirement for fire safety works – what differentiates Gerda Security from other suppliers?
We would like to find out more about your products, where can we view these?
Do you offer CPD presentations?
How do I go about providing an Emergency Response Pack?