In the event of a fire or other building emergency, lifts are taken out of service — and that leaves a fundamental challenge for any building with disabled occupants, elderly users, or anyone who cannot safely use stairs unassisted. Evacuation chairs are purpose-designed devices that allow a trained assistant to safely descend a staircase with a non-ambulant person seated in the chair, using controlled descent mechanisms to navigate stairs without risk of falls.
For UK building owners, facilities managers, and fire safety officers, understanding the legal requirements for evacuation chairs and selecting the right equipment is both a compliance issue and a matter of life and death.
The Legal Duty to Provide Evacuation Chairs
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO)
The RRO is the primary legislation governing fire safety in non-domestic UK premises. It requires the Responsible Person (typically the employer or building owner) to:
- Carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
- Implement appropriate fire safety measures based on that assessment
- Ensure all occupants — including those with disabilities — can evacuate safely
Where disabled people regularly use a building, the fire risk assessment must address their evacuation needs. In practice, for multi-storey buildings, this almost always means providing evacuation chairs or equivalent Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) measures.
The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act reinforces the obligation to ensure disabled people are not placed at a disadvantage, including during emergency evacuation. Failing to make appropriate evacuation provision for disabled building users constitutes a failure of reasonable adjustment obligations.
BS 9999:2017 and BS 8300:2018
British Standards provide technical guidance on fire safety and accessibility. BS 9999 addresses fire safety in the design, management, and use of buildings, including provisions for phased evacuation. BS 8300 addresses the design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people, including evacuation provisions.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
These more recent regulations increased responsibilities for high-rise residential building management, including fire safety assessment obligations and information sharing with residents about personal emergency evacuation plans.
When Is an Evacuation Chair Required?
An evacuation chair is generally required when:
- The building has more than one floor accessible to the public or staff
- The building is used by people who cannot independently use stairs in an emergency
- The fire risk assessment identifies non-ambulant persons as building users
- A PEEP is in place that specifies an evacuation chair as the means of descent
Typical premises requiring evacuation chairs include: offices, schools, hospitals, care homes, universities, shopping centres, hotels, cinemas, and any public building with upper floors.
How Evacuation Chairs Work
Evacuation chairs use a combination of tracks (skids) on the rear of the chair and a controlled descent mechanism to allow safe staircase navigation. Key components:
- Rubber tracks or skids: These run along the stair edges, providing controlled movement and cushioning
- Braking mechanism: A hand-controlled brake regulates the speed of descent — the operator does not need to support the weight of the occupant
- Safety harness: Secures the occupant in the chair during descent
- Rear handles: Allow the operator to guide and control the descent
- Front casters: For level surface manoeuvre in corridors and rooms
Types of Evacuation Chairs
Standard Evacuation Chairs
The most widely used type — designed for general office, retail, and commercial environments. Typically accommodate users up to 114–150 kg and fold flat for wall mounting in stairwell evacuation points.
Heavy-Duty Evacuation Chairs
Rated for users up to 180–250 kg — essential for buildings where heavier occupants are likely, including bariatric care facilities, gyms, and sports venues. Never attempt to use a standard chair beyond its weight rating.
Power-Assisted Evacuation Chairs
Battery-powered models that use motorised assistance on the stairs, reducing the physical effort required from the operator. Useful in high-rise buildings with many flights of stairs, or where operators may not be physically strong.
Weight Ratings: Critical Compliance Issue
Every evacuation chair has a stated maximum user weight (SWL). Using a chair beyond its rated capacity is dangerous — the braking mechanism may not function correctly, and the chair structure may fail. When assessing your building:
- Identify the likely maximum weight of building users
- Select chairs rated at least 20% above this maximum
- For public buildings, consider providing at least one heavy-duty option
- Clearly label chairs with their weight capacity at the storage point
Training Requirements
An evacuation chair is only as safe as the person operating it. UK guidance is clear: all designated operators must receive formal training before using an evacuation chair in a live emergency. Training should cover:
- Safe deployment from wall-mounted storage bracket
- Correct positioning and securing of the occupant
- Controlled descent technique on various stair types
- Communication with the occupant throughout evacuation
- Post-use inspection and return to service
Training records should be maintained and refreshed annually or whenever there is a significant change in designated operators.
Maintenance and Inspection
Evacuation chairs must be maintained in full working order at all times. Best practice:
- Monthly checks: Inspect tracks/skids for wear, check harness webbing for damage, test braking mechanism function, verify storage bracket is secure
- Annual service: Full manufacturer-specification service by a competent person
- Post-use inspection: After any use (training or real), inspect before returning to service
- Battery-powered models: Battery charge level to be checked monthly
- Records: Maintain a maintenance log alongside the fire safety records
Placement and Signage
Evacuation chairs should be:
- Positioned at or near the top of each staircase, in a dedicated evacuation chair bracket
- Clearly signed with an evacuation chair symbol (BS ISO 7010:2019 E021)
- Accessible to trained staff within seconds of an alarm
- Not obstructed by other equipment, furniture, or deliveries
- Included on floor plans shared with emergency services
View our range of evacuation chairs at Barriers Co — including standard, heavy-duty, and power-assisted models with wall-mounted storage brackets, training options, and fast UK delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an evacuation chair a legal requirement in the UK?
Not explicitly mandated by name, but the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the Responsible Person to ensure all occupants can evacuate safely. For multi-storey buildings with disabled users, this effectively requires evacuation chairs or equivalent provisions.
How many evacuation chairs do I need?
As a minimum, one per staircase (at the top). For high-occupancy buildings, the fire risk assessment may specify additional chairs at intermediate floors or multiple chairs per staircase to enable parallel evacuation streams.
Can anyone use an evacuation chair, or do they need training?
Formal training is required before using an evacuation chair. Untrained use risks injury to both the operator and the occupant. Training should be refreshed annually.
How much does an evacuation chair cost?
Standard evacuation chairs in the UK typically cost £300–£700. Heavy-duty models range from £600 to £1,200. Power-assisted chairs can exceed £2,500. Wall-mounted storage brackets are typically £50–£150 extra.
What is the maximum user weight for an evacuation chair?
Standard models are typically rated to 114–150 kg. Heavy-duty models extend to 180–250 kg. Always check the manufacturer's specification and ensure it exceeds the weight of your heaviest likely building occupant.
Do evacuation chairs need to be serviced?
Yes — annual service by a competent person is recommended, alongside monthly pre-use checks. Maintain a log of all inspections and services.