Everyone wants to feel safe when using a building space, whether for work, leisure, education or medical reasons. Knowing there is a secure and reliable means of escape in a fire or other emergency is a step towards that.  

Although there is no specific legal requirement to buy evacuation equipment, it does fall under both the Equality Act 2010 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, to enable everyone to exit a building in an emergency. 

For people with mobility issues, either long-term or temporary, an evacuation chair for stairs can provide an efficient way to exit a building should the need arise. While we all hope they are never needed, choosing the correct evacuation chair is crucial.

What are the types of evacuation chairs?

Different types of chairs are needed depending on the type of environment, the user’s needs and the capability or confidence of the staff member operating the chair. 

Manual 

These are manoeuvred entirely by the operator and are usually lightweight. They are the cheapest option available; however, time and funds would be needed to train staff to use them correctly. 

These chairs are not for the weak, as they rely heavily on the strength of the person operating the chair to ensure the passenger is safely evacuated. 

Powered

Battery-powered chairs require a little less muscle to move, so they can carry heavier passengers. 

Operators also need training to be able to use one, but on the whole, electric-powered chairs are safer due to ease of control and are more efficient than manual chairs. They can also be used to move passengers up stairs, should the building require it. 

They are useful for buildings with multiple floors to descend or ascend and for situations where a higher number of people need to use the equipment. 

However, they are substantially more expensive than manual chairs and will need to be checked and charged regularly. 

Tracked Chairs

Tracked evacuation chairs use rails to allow the chair to descend in a controlled way. Unlike other chair options, the passenger does not free-fall down the stairs using gravity; instead, the descent is more stable.

These chairs are designed to be operated by one person, allowing other people to evacuate the building more quickly. 

Bariatric 

These are designed to carry passengers who weigh more than standard chairs can handle. Higher capacity chairs can hold up to 270kg, whereas standard evacuation equipment can take up to 160kg safely. 

Why does the building layout matter when choosing an evacuation chair?

Finding a chair that will function well in the building space is vitally important. Choosing a chair that doesn’t work for the building can cause accidents or users to be left stranded and in need of rescue.

Questions to ask before you make a decision include the type of staircase – straight or curved – and how much space is available to store and move the chair. Evacuation chairs are stored by stairwells, so check if there is sufficient space there. 

If your building opens onto gravel or uneven ground at the fire muster point, that will need to be taken into account when looking at chair wheels. 

It may also need to travel across a foyer or corridor to reach a fire exit; if so, it should be able to handle flat floors as well as stairs.