Emergency Evacuation Chairs
Providing safer stairwell evacuation for commercial, education, and public buildings
In the event of an emergency, everyone must be able to evacuate a building safely, including those with reduced mobility or temporary impairments. Emergency evacuation chairs provide a safe, controlled means of escape for people who may be unable to use stairs without assistance during a fire or evacuation.
At Hoyles Fire & Safety, we supply, install, and maintain high-quality evacuation chairs for all types of commercial, educational, and public buildings. Whether you’re looking to improve your compliance with the Equality Act or strengthen your evacuation strategy, we can help you choose the right solution for your premises.
We understand the critical role evacuation chairs play in safeguarding your staff, visitors, and building users. As part of the LS Fire Group, we support organisations across the UK with fire safety solutions that go beyond compliance, offering peace of mind, expert advice, and long-term support.
What is an emergency evacuation chair?
An evacuation chair is a specially designed folding chair that is used to transport mobility-impaired individuals down stairs during an emergency. Lightweight yet robust, these chairs allow trained staff to assist with safe evacuation from multi-storey buildings, particularly where lifts cannot be used due to a fire or power failure.
Designed for ease of use and quick deployment, an evacuation chair for stairs typically features secure seat harnesses, braking systems, and stair-glide tracks to support controlled descent with minimal strain on the operator.
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Why are emergency evacuation chairs important?
In an emergency, delays in evacuation can put lives at risk. Emergency evacuation chairs ensure that everyone – including wheelchair users, injured individuals, or those with temporary mobility issues – can exit the building quickly and safely.
Installing an evacuation chair in your building shows a clear commitment to:
- Meeting your legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010
- Supporting safe egress for all building occupants
- Complying with BS 9999 and fire safety best practice
- Protecting employees, visitors, pupils, or residents during emergencies
They’re also particularly important for buildings with multiple levels, narrow stairwells, or settings where large numbers of people may require assistance.
Where are emergency evacuation chairs required?
While they’re not legally required in every building, an evacuation chair for stairs is strongly recommended – and often expected as part of a fire safety strategy – in any premises with staircases and a diverse mix of occupants.
Some common buildings you may find an evacuation chair include:
- Offices and commercial buildings
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Hospitals, care homes, and health centres
- Hotels and multi-storey residential properties
- Shopping centres, public venues, and transport hubs
They’re a practical component of any building’s fire evacuation plan and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).
At Hoyles Fire & Safety, we can help you assess your building’s layout and evacuation procedures to determine the right placement and number of emergency evacuation chairs.
Our emergency evacuation chair services
We provide a complete end-to-end service for emergency evacuation chairs – from product supply and installation, to annual maintenance and support.
Our services includes:
- Supply of high-quality, certified emergency evacuation chairs
- Advice on correct placement within your building
- Installation and wall mounting where required
- Scheduled annual inspections and maintenance
- Compliance with BS 9999, the Equality Act, and Health & Safety at Work Act
We can also work with you to integrate evacuation chairs into your fire strategy, fire risk assessment, and staff training plans.
Whether you’re looking to install an emergency chair for stairs, upgrade your current setup, or you need to schedule maintenance, speak to us today for expert guidance, a no-obligation quote, or to schedule a site visit.
0808 196 4527
