In an emergency, every second counts. Evacuation chairs play an important role in ensuring a safe and quick evacuation from a building, especially for those with mobility impairments. However, an evac chair needs to be operated by a trained individual to guarantee its effective use when it matters most. In this blog, we delve into the importance of evac chair training and what you can expect to learn during your evac chair training course.
- What is an Evac Chair?
- Types of Evac Chairs
- The Legal Requirements for Evac Chairs
- What is Evac Chair Training?
- Benefits of Evac Chair Training
- Equip Your Staff with Evac Chair Training Today
What is an Evac Chair?
An evac chair or evacuation chair is designed to safely transport individuals with disabilities or mobility impairments down stairs during an emergency. It is an especially vital tool for buildings with more than one floor, as lifts should not be used during fire evacuations.
Evac chairs typically feature a sturdy frame and wheels for efficient movement on flat surfaces. They can also have tracks or belts that allow them to go down stairs safely. With a safety harness to secure the occupant, evac chairs are a crucial tool to aid those who can’t use stairs independently, potentially saving lives in critical situations.
Types of Evac Chairs
There are many different types of evac chairs available. Based on your building layout and mobility needs, you may need a more advanced evac chair or the standard option. Here are a few examples of the types of evac chairs you could encounter:
- Standard Evac Chair: These chairs are the most basic type of evac chair with a lightweight frame and foldable design.
- Powered Chair: This evac chair is designed to aid people in moving up and down stairs with ease.
- Tracked Chair: A tracked chair is placed upon tracks to guide it up and down stairs, ideal for more complicated staircases such as winding staircases.
- Paediatric Chair: These chairs are designed to evacuate children with a smaller seat and adjustable harness.
- Carry Chairs: This evac chair is a lightweight option mostly used in situations where a rapid evacuation is needed. It is not suitable for stairs.
The Legal Requirements for Evac Chairs
Although it is not explicitly a legal requirement to have evac chairs available in your building, it is the responsibility of building owners or landlords to provide a means of escape for all occupants, including individuals with disabilities or mobility issues.
An evac chair is a great solution as it is easy to operate and can be stored safely and ready for an emergency. However, if you are to install an evac chair on your premises, you must ensure that your staff are trained to operate it safely to avoid accidents during an emergency situation.
What is Evac Chair Training?
Evacuation chair training is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively use evac chairs during emergencies. This training is crucial to ensure workplace safety, especially in multi-story buildings.
Emergency situations can cause a lot of panic, but with the right training, occupants can be safely evacuated with the help of trained personnel who can respond quickly and competently, potentially saving lives. Regular training and practice drills should be completed to ensure your staff understand the correct evacuation procedures.
What Will Evacuation Chair Training Cover?
Typically, evac chair training will encompass the basics of operating an evacuation chair, including how to use an evacuation chair, disability awareness and etiquette and moving, lifting and handling techniques.
At Fire & Safety Centre, we offer two comprehensive evac chair training courses to ensure your staff understand the ins and outs of evacuation chairs. Our courses will cover:
- What is an Evacuation Chair?
- Who Can Use an Evac Chair and When?
- Legislation and Regulations Surrounding Evac Chairs
- Disability Awareness and Etiquette
- Evacuation Strategies
- Moving, Lifting and Handling Techniques
- How to Use an Evacuation Chair
- Assisting People In and Out of an Evacuation Chair
Our Master Class in Evac Chair Training will also train your staff to train other staff members and new employees in operating evac chairs. Many businesses choose this course as it can enable a larger portion of their workforce to understand the importance of evac chairs and how to operate them.
Benefits of Evac Chair Training
It is vital to provide evacuation chair training to your staff so they can safely handle any emergency situation and contribute to a quick evacuation. Evac chair training provides multiple benefits, including:
- Enhanced Safety: Properly trained staff can effectively and safely evacuate mobility-impaired individuals, reducing risks during emergencies.
- Legalisation Compliance: Meet legal requirements and safety standards for workplace safety with evac chair training.
- Increased Confidence: Emergency situations can be stressful and cause panic, but with the right training, staff members can feel more confident in handling evacuation scenarios.
- Faster Response Times: It’s all about speed and efficiency when dealing with an emergency. With evac chair training, staff members can evacuate occupants quickly.
- Reduced Risk of Injury: Ensuring staff understand how to operate an evac chair will prevent any avoidable accidents and minimise the chance of injury.
Equip Your Staff with Evac Chair Training Today
At Fire & Safety Centre, we specialise in equipping you with the knowledge, skills and equipment to handle any emergency situation. From our Evac Chair Training and Master Class to Emergency Evacuation Equipment, including Evac Chairs, we have everything you need to have the confidence to handle any emergency situation. Explore our range of emergency equipment and training today to rest assured that you are prepared for any unexpected emergency.
FAQs
What is evac chair training?
Evac chair training involves gaining the knowledge and skills to operate an evac chair during an emergency. From who can use an evac chair to how to operate the chair safely, this training equips staff with the skills to provide a fast evacuation response.
Do you need training to use an evac chair?
It is recommended that building owners, landlords or employers provide evacuation chair training to ensure staff can safely operate the evac chairs in an emergency situation. Evac chair training will enable staff to have the confidence to assess emergency situations and operate the chair efficiently for a faster evacuation response.
How long does evac chair training last?
Our evacuation chair training lasts 2.5 hours and provides a comprehensive overview of how to operate an evacuation chair safely. You can also opt for our Master Class, which lasts a whole day but enables individuals who complete the course to train other staff members in evacuation chair operation. Upon completing each of our courses, you will receive a certificate.
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