Evacuation Chairs and Platforms – Guidance, Legal Duties and Support
Importance of Evacuation Chairs in Emergency Planning
Evacuation chairs and platforms are designed to assist people with reduced mobility to be safely evacuated from a building in the event of a fire, lift failure, or other emergency. While commonly associated with physical mobility impairments, evacuation chairs may also be required for individuals with other conditions such as vertigo, balance disorders, or temporary injuries.
Effective evacuation planning ensures that all occupants, including those who cannot use stairs unaided, have a safe and dignified means of escape.
Legal Responsibilities and Fire Safety Compliance
Since the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) in October 2006, Fire and Rescue Services are no longer responsible for evacuating occupants from buildings.
While the emergency services will always act to preserve life, businesses and organisations must plan for evacuation and must not rely on Fire and Rescue intervention.
The RRFSO, together with the Equality Act 2010, places a legal duty on the Responsible Person to:
- Identify people at risk
- Provide adequate means of escape
- Ensure arrangements are in place for both mobile and mobility-impaired occupants
This duty is commonly met through the use of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and suitable evacuation equipment.
Powered Evacuation Chairs and Platforms
Powered evacuation chairs and platforms may be suitable where:
- Evacuation is required upstairs
- A person must be evacuated while remaining in their wheelchair
- Manual handling risks to staff must be reduced
The use of powered evacuation chairs and platforms can significantly reduce the risk of injury to operators, minimise manual handling concerns, and lower the likelihood of staff absence or litigation arising from evacuation-related incidents.
Standard (Manual) Evacuation Chairs
Standard evacuation chairs are widely used as part of generic evacuation planning and are suitable in many environments.
However, a PEEP must always be completed to ensure:
- The chair selected is appropriate for the individual
- Staff are trained in its correct use
- The evacuation method is safe, dignified, and effective
Not all evacuation chairs are suitable for every person or building layout.
Training and Servicing Requirements
Regardless of whether a powered or manual evacuation chair is used, staff must receive regular training to remain competent and confident in their role.
Evacuation chairs are classified as Class I Medical Devices and must be:
- Inspected
- Serviced
- Maintained
This must be carried out in accordance with the PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment) Regulations, ensuring equipment remains safe and fit for purpose.
How Train2Protect Can Support You
Train2Protect (T2P) International Ltd can support organisations by:
- Identifying individuals at special risk, including those with mobility impairments or additional needs
- Assisting with the preparation and review of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
- Providing independent advice on suitable evacuation chairs, whether powered or manual
- Supplying evacuation chairs and associated equipment
- Delivering on-site evacuation chair training for staff
- Carrying out servicing and maintenance of evacuation chairs at your premises
Our experience shows that not all evacuation chairs are suitable for everyone, and evacuation planning does not end once a person reaches a place of safety. We can also advise on wheelchairs and other evacuation aids where these are required as part of a complete solution.
A Complete Evacuation Chair Solution
Put simply, Train2Protect can meet all of your evacuation chair requirements — from planning and equipment selection through to training and servicing.
Our approach helps you to:
- Reduce risk from fire
- Provide a safe means of escape for all occupants
- Demonstrate compliance with UK fire safety and equality legislation
Train2Protect (T2P) International Ltd is a UK-wide provider of evacuation chair supply, training, servicing and evacuation planning support. We help organisations meet their legal duties under UK fire safety and equality legislation by providing compliant, practical solutions.