Evacuation chairs are compact and foldable mobile chairs used to evacuate people with disability down stairs. Evacuation chairs may be manual or have a battery powered motor. The chairs have wheels and rubber tracks which allow for a controlled decent down stairs. Many evacuation chairs have speed regulation devices and braking systems that control the speed of descent and have an additional brake when stationary. The seats have adjustable safety straps to secure the person to the seat during transport.
Evacuation chairs are normally operated by one person.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Evacuation chairs are particularly important for people who have mobility limitations. They are particularly useful for people who are wheelchair dependent, where in the event of an emergency are unable to use a lift and are unable to exit the building independently via the stairs.
Evacuation products that may be of interest can be found at the links below:
References
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2008, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 30 November 2011, http://www.ilcaustralia.com/home/search4.asp?State=NSW&MC=44&MinC=50&Item=2476&page=10.
Job Accommodation Network 2008, Evacuation Devices, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, viewed 30 November 2011, http://askjan.org/media/emergency.html.
Latrobe City Council 2007, Emergency Recovery Fact Sheet—What to do in an emergency: Information for older people, people with a disability and carers to prepare for an emergency, Latrobe City Council, Morwell, viewed 30 November 2011, http://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/WebFiles/Council%20Services/Fires/Fact%20Sheet%203%20-%20What%20To%20Do%20In%20An%20Emergency.pdf.