Finding the Correct Evac+Chair: The Perfect Fit for Your Evacuation Needs
Emergencies can happen at any time and when they do, every second counts. Safe evacuation for all building occupants, including those with reduced mobility, is a fundamental part of emergency preparedness. Stairways can often be a major barrier to escape, which is why Evac+Chair exists: to ensure everyone can be evacuated swiftly, safely and with dignity.
As the global leader in evacuation chairs for over 40 years, Evac+Chair has developed a comprehensive range of solutions designed to suit different building types, stair configurations and user needs. The key is not choosing between one type of Evac+Chair or another but finding the correct Evac+Chair for your environment.
Choosing the Right Evac+Chair
Selecting the right Evac+Chair isn’t simply a matter of choosing one model over another – it’s about ensuring the safety, dignity and peace of mind of everyone in your building. The correct Evac+Chair can mean the difference between a calm, efficient evacuation and a stressful, chaotic situation. Every environment is unique, and factors such as the design, angle and dimensions of staircases, the payload and mobility needs of passengers – play a critical role in planning a safe and smooth evacuation.
Choosing the right Evac+Chair ensures that in an emergency, people can be moved quickly and securely, minimising delays, confusion and panic. It also supports trained staff in performing evacuations confidently, allowing everyone to focus on safety rather than improvising under pressure.
For multi-storey buildings, our best practice recommendation is to install an Evac+Chair at every stairwell. In an emergency, you never know where people will be, and having the right Evac+Chair in the right location ensures a smooth, safe evacuation from every floor.
To make this process simple, Evac+Chair offers a complimentary evacuation assessment. Our nationwide team of specialists will review your building layout, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), Generic Emergency Evacuation Plans (GEEPs) and any existing equipment. Based on this, we’ll recommend the model – or combination of models – that best protects your people, guarantees compliance with current legislation and ensures that your evacuation plans can be executed calmly and efficiently.
You can also take advantage of our innovative Evac Xpert™ tool, an online solution that quickly identifies the most suitable Evac+Chair for your building and personnel. By entering key details, you can receive tailored recommendations in just minutes, helping you plan for every scenario and giving you confidence that your people are protected
Our Range of Evac+Chairs
We offer a comprehensive range of evacuation chairs – both manual and powered – providing flexibility, reassurance and compliance for a variety of environments. Each model is precision-engineered to ensure safe, reliable evacuation when it matters most.
Evac+Chair 300H
The original Evac+Chair and a trusted choice worldwide. Effortlessly operated by a single person, the 300H delivers smooth, controlled descents on a wide variety of staircases. Lightweight, compact and reliable, with a payload capacity of 182kg, it’s the ideal solution.
Evac+Chair 500H
Engineered for strength to handle payloads up to 227kg, the Evac+Chair 500H delivers versatility. Designed for smooth, controlled descents and simple one-to-two-person operation, its robust construction and friction belt system make it perfect for demanding environments.
Evac+Chair 600H
Designed for maximum adaptability in complex evacuation scenarios. with a payload capacity of 182kg, the 600H is capable of single-person descent or team-assisted ascent operation with two to four operators, it navigates obstacles, short staircases and high thresholds with ease. Foldable grab handles and a dual-grip extendable handle ensure smooth, controlled descents.
Evac+Chair 110
Built for spaces where every inch matters. Ideal for narrow staircases, older buildings and heritage sites, its ultra-slim profile and 150kg payload capacity deliver smooth, controlled descents. With height-adjustable handle and a foldable footrest for added comfort and compact stowage, the 110 combines precision engineering with practical design.
Evac+Power 1000H
For organisations requiring powered assistance, the Evac+Power 1000H delivers exceptional performance. With a world-leading 270kg payload, a 36V lithium-ion battery and Rapid deployment System, it allows smooth ascent and descent at the touch of a button. Ergonomic controls, an advanced track system and a lightweight frame minimise manual handling and give operators complete confidence.
IBEX
Engineered for more complex environments, the IBEX enables safe evacuation through smooth ascent and descent using two-person operation. Perfect for spiral, narrow or steep staircases, its adaptable design, supporting a payload of 159kg, offers maximum versatility across challenging building layouts, including older or unconventional structures.
Evac+Chair 200H
Designed for fast, safe transfers of mobility-impaired individuals. With a 200kg payload capacity and lightweight aluminium construction, it combines strength with effortless portability. Its swift deployment mechanism, large wheels and front grab handles enable smooth movement over uneven terrain, making it ideal for single-floor buildings. Compact and easy to store, the 200H ensures you are ready to respond quickly.
Complete Evacuation Solution
Together, these Evac+Chairs create a complete evacuation solution – adaptable to a variety of buildings, occupants and emergency scenarios, giving organisations the confidence that they are prepared for any situation.
The Role of the Evac+Chair in Safety and Compliance
Evacuation chairs are more than essential safety equipment – they are a cornerstone of building compliance and inclusive emergency planning. Whilst not named specifically in law, evacuation chairs help organisations meet their responsibilities under key UK legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Equality Act 2010 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021 provides a framework for managing fire safety in all non-domestic premises, including workplaces and the communal areas of multi-occupancy residential buildings. It places responsibility on a designated “responsible person,” such as a building owner or manager, to carry out fire risk assessments and take steps to reduce or eliminate risks. Under these duties, employers must provide provisions, like an Evac+Chair, and appropriate fire safety training to ensure that everyone – including individuals with reduced mobility – can be safely evacuated. Importantly, fire services no longer carry out evacuation from refuge areas, making on-site solutions such as Evac+Chairs a critical part of a safe and compliant evacuation plan.
Training and Maintenance: Supporting Long-Term Preparedness
Selecting the right Evac+Chair is only the first step. True preparedness depends on well-trained operators and properly maintained equipment.
Evac+Chair provides nationwide training programmes tailored to your needs. Our Operator Training Course equips staff with the hands-on skills and confidence to deploy Evac+Chairs safely and effectively during emergencies, whilst our Key Trainer Course empowers selected delegates to train and certify others in-house, ensuring consistent expertise across your organisation. Both courses combine practical and theoretical learning, build competence and compliance and give your team the confidence to act swiftly and safely when it matters most.
Our comprehensive maintenance plans – available in one, three or five-year contracts – ensure every Evac+Chair is annually inspected, serviced and fitted with genuine replacement parts if needed. Regular maintenance not only extends the lifespan of your equipment but guarantees reliability when it’s needed most. As a Class 1 Medical Device, an Evac+Chair also meets the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) in the UK so legally must be properly maintained to guarantee that every Evac+Chair is safe and reliable.
Prepared for Every Possibility
Every building, team and evacuation scenario is different. That’s why the most effective approach often involves a combination of Evac+Chairs – strategically placed across stairwells to ensure speed, safety and accessibility for everyone.
Whether you require lightweight simplicity, increased payload capacity or powered support, Evac+Chair delivers the flexibility and performance to meet every requirement.
Confidence When It Matters Most
Investing in the right Evac+Chair isn’t just about meeting compliance standards – it’s a clear demonstration of your commitment to protecting every individual and fostering an inclusive environment. With over four decades of engineering expertise, comprehensive training, and unmatched service support, Evac+Chair ensures your building is prepared to respond swiftly and safely, giving everyone the peace of mind they deserve.
Book your complimentary Evacuation Assessment today here or use Evac Xpert™ here to find your perfect evacuation solution.