University of Greenwich Study

A more efficient way to evacuate people with reduced mobility

The Evac+Chair has been independently demonstrated to be among the fastest and most efficient methods for evacuating people with reduced mobility.

Backed by independent research

In an independent academic study conducted by the University of Greenwich Fire Safety Engineering Group, led by Professor Ed Galea, evacuation trials were carried out in 2008 using trained hospital staff from Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent), Belgium.

The study comprised 32 evacuation trials, including the transfer of occupants from wheelchairs and descent of 11 floors, providing a realistic assessment of emergency conditions within a multi-storey hospital environment at the University Hospital of Gent (Belgium).

The Evac+Chair was tested against commonly used alternatives, including carry chairs, stretchers, and drag mattresses (often referred to today as rescue sheets).

Performance was evaluated across key criteria:

Speed on flat surfaces and stairs
Number of operators required
Ease of use and manoeuvrability
Impact on other evacuees (e.g. stairwell obstruction)

The findings were published and presented in 2010 at the International Conference on Pedestrian and Evacuation Dynamics (PED), reinforcing the study’s academic credibility and industry relevance.

Proven speed and efficiency

The study measured both horizontal and vertical evacuation performance across all devices tested.

Horizontal movement:
The Evac+Chair achieved speeds of up to 53 m/s, comparable to fast, unobstructed walking and outperforming alternative methods such as stretchers and drag-based evacuation.
Stairwell evacuation:
The Evac+Chair delivered the fastest recorded descent speeds (up to 0.84 m/s), maintaining consistent performance even in congested stairwell conditions.

The study also identified the Evac+Chair as the fastest device during stair evacuation (0.81 m/s), being approximately 30% faster than other devices tested while requiring the least number of handlers.

These findings confirm the Evac+Chair as the fastest device in the trials for stair evacuation, where performance is most critical.

Source: University of Greenwich FSEG evacuation trials, presented at PED 2010

Operational efficiency with minimal resource requirement

A key differentiator identified in the study was the number of personnel required:

Evac+Chair: 1 operator (with assistance where required)
Carry chairs: 3–4 operators
Stretchers: Up to 4 operators

This represents a significant reduction in operational burden, enabling faster response while maintaining safe evacuation procedures.

Enhanced safety and user confidence

In addition to performance metrics, the study assessed:

Physical effort required by operators
Handling and control
Perceived safety of evacuees

The results indicated reduced physical strain on operators, high levels of control during descent, and strong confidence reported by evacuees.

Validated in real-world conditions

The evaluation was carried out in a multi-storey hospital environment, including 11-floor evacuations, and involved:

Trained evacuation teams
Individuals with reduced mobility
Simulated evacuation conditions, including stairwell traffic

This large-scale, practical testing ensured the findings are directly applicable to real building evacuation strategies.

A trusted solution for emergency preparedness

The independent evidence demonstrated that the Evac+Chair:

Delivered superior evacuation speed
Required fewer personnel
Provided safe, controlled descent
Performed reliably in real-world environments

For organisations responsible for the safety of building occupants, the Evac+Chair offered a proven and dependable evacuation solution.

See the study in action

Watch how the Evac+Chair performed during the evacuation trials.

Confidence when it matters most

Investing in the right evacuation equipment isn’t just about compliance – it’s a clear demonstration of your commitment to protecting every individual.

With over four decades of engineering expertise, comprehensive training, and dedicated service support, Evac+Chair helps ensure your building is prepared to respond swiftly and safely.

Is your organisation ready for RPEEPs?

Don’t leave safety to chance – book your complimentary evacuation assessment today and make sure your emergency plans protect every life.

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