Fire evacuation procedures are used to facilitate the safe evacuation of everyone in a building, including those who are mobility-restricted. With laws and legislation surrounding fire safety evacuation procedures clearly stating those with restricted movement have the right to have reasonable access to all parts of a building and a safe escape route in an emergency, it is more important than ever to implement the appropriate evacuation tools. In this guide, we delve into what evacuation chairs are and how you can use them to enhance your current fire evacuation procedures to benefit everyone at your workplace.
- What is an Evacuation Chair?
- Evacuation Chair Regulations
- How Does an Evac Chair Work?
- Who Can Use an Evac Chair?: Evac Chair Training
- Fire Evacuation Procedures in the Workplace: Key Risk Areas
- Protect All Your Employees with Evac Chairs from Fire & Safety Centre
What is an Evacuation Chair?
An evac chair is a lightweight but sturdy device which, in appearance, is very much like a lightweight wheelchair. However, it is designed specifically for use on stairways, and is therefore generally equipped with a combination of wheels and ‘skids’ so that it can glide down stairs under the control and guidance of a trained operator.
There are different models of evac chairs available on the market. With variations in weight capacity and degrees of mobility, each evac chair is designed for a specific use and operation. You should make sure to do your research before investing in an evac chair as you will need to choose one that meets the requirements of the evac chair user and complies with the law.
Evacuation Chair Regulations
Laws granting disabled people the right to reasonable access throughout a building have been around for many years. Since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, innovative technology has allowed for the creation of lifts and escalators to help people with reduced mobility. However, it’s common knowledge that lifts cannot be used in an emergency, especially in the event of a fire.
As per the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the ‘responsible person’ must ensure there is a safe means of evacuation for those who are less mobile. Without the use of lifts, especially in high-rise buildings, those with restricted mobility are left stranded, with no safe way of escaping. That’s where evac chairs come in!
Fire evacuation chairs allow those with disabilities or other health conditions a safe way of evacuating a building during a fire or other emergency. But evac chairs aren’t just for those who have established disabilities or health conditions. What if someone has recently broken their leg? They will also need an evac chair.
To find out more about evacuation chair regulations, take a look at our guide!
How Does an Evac Chair Work?
Emergency situations are unpredictable so having an evac chair on each floor of a building will ensure anyone who has restricted mobility will be able to access a safe route of evacuation no matter where they are in the building. The fire evacuation chairs are typically foldable meaning they don’t block the escape routes of other employees in a building. Each evac chair should also be covered with a clear sign for easy identification during an emergency.
With the range of evac chairs on the market, you should make sure operators receive the appropriate training before operating an evac chair. Typically, an operator will follow this procedure:
- Unfold the chair
- Ensure the evac chair user is securely seated in the evacuation chair
- Slowly release the chair and guide it down the stairs using the handles of the evac chair
- If needed, the brakes can also be applied to ensure a more controlled descent (in some models)
Who Can Use an Evac Chair?: Evac Chair Training
As with any equipment, evac chairs should only be used by those who have the essential evac chair training. For example, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 states equipment provided at work should only be used by those with the “adequate information, instruction and training”.
Plus, each evacuation chair will have a different mode of operation given their various features. This means even if a staff member has received evac chair training from a previous job, you should ensure they receive the training again so they understand how to use the particular evac chairs in your building and familiarise themselves with the evacuation procedures.
Choosing the appropriate people to receive fire evacuation chair training can be difficult as you are trying to predict the future by anticipating who will be present during an emergency. We recommend you select members of staff that are in the building more frequently. There’s no point choosing a Field Sales Representative if they will be out of the office most of the time!
Fire Evacuation Procedures in the Workplace: Key Risk Areas
As a responsible person, it is your job to imagine the worst-case scenario emergency and implement fire evac procedures accordingly. Some questions to consider are “Who is most at risk?” and “Is there a safe route for evacuation no matter what the emergency is?”. You should also think about having a spare fire evacuation chair in case one of your employees has a temporary mobility issue such as a broken leg.
Now that you have considered who will need an evac chair and the safest route for evacuation, you should next determine the best places to install the evac chairs. Generally the best areas to consider are:
- The entrance of stairwells
- High traffic areas
- Areas closest to where those with established restricted mobility work
- Along designated emergency evacuation routes
- Near lifts
- Reception areas
- Areas with potential hazards such as laboratories or workshops
Protect All Your Employees with Evac Chairs from Fire & Safety Centre
At Fire & Safety Centre, we strive to protect everyone during an emergency. We offer a diverse selection of fire evacuation chairs to ensure all employees have a safe means of escape. Our range even includes an evacuation sledge for added versatility! But remember, not everyone can operate an evac chair. With our evac chair training courses, you can enable your staff to safely operate evac chairs and comply with evacuation chair regulations. By exploring our range of evacuation equipment today, you can provide a secure evacuation method for your employees with restricted mobility. Your commitment to safety begins with choosing the right tools and training.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the evacuation chair?
An evacuation chair is designed to safely transport individuals with mobility limitations down stairs during emergencies. Its primary purpose is to ensure quick and safe evacuation of people who cannot use stairs independently, particularly when elevators are unavailable or unsafe to use.
Are fire evacuation chairs a legal requirement?
Fire evacuation chairs are not explicitly mandatory according to fire safety regulations. However, as the ‘responsible person’, you must provide a safe means of escape for all your employees including those who have restricted mobility as stated in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Evac chairs are a great way to address this.
What should be included in a fire evacuation plan?
A comprehensive fire evac plan should include clearly defined escape routes, assembly points, roles and responsibilities of key personnel, and specific procedures for assisting vulnerable individuals. It should also cover alarm systems, communication protocols, regular drills and post-evacuation accountability measures to ensure all occupants are safely accounted for.
What is the standard evacuation chair price?
The price of an evac chair depends on the model, weight capacity and special features. For example, the Evac Chair 300H MK5 is a more basic model whereas the Evac Chair 900H Power is battery-powered with a motor.
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