Emergency Response Training Ltd provides practical Evacuation Chair Training in Doncaster and across Yorkshire, helping staff develop the knowledge and confidence to assist people who may require additional support during an emergency evacuation.

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This 1.5-hour classroom and practical course covers the basic principles of assisted evacuation, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), pre-use equipment checks, passenger communication, deployment and practical operation of an evacuation chair.

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Approximately 45 minutes of the course is dedicated to practical training, giving learners the opportunity to become familiar with the evacuation chair they may actually need to use during an emergency.

Training is delivered at your premises using your organisation's own evacuation chair wherever possible.

Simply provide the make and model when booking and our instructor can tailor the practical session to your equipment.

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Why is Evacuation Chair Training Important?

During a fire or other emergency, some people may be unable to use the normal evacuation route independently.

This can include people with permanent or temporary mobility impairments, injuries, medical conditions or other circumstances that affect their ability to evacuate safely.

Government fire safety guidance states that evacuation chairs require training and practice and that staff operating them should be familiar with the equipment. It also emphasises that evacuation chairs form only one part of suitable arrangements for the evacuation of disabled people.

Effective evacuation planning should consider the needs of everyone likely to be on the premises, and this can require additional planning, staff responsibilities and appropriate training.

Our course therefore doesn't just show learners how a chair moves down stairs. It puts the equipment into the context of your organisation's emergency procedures, PEEPs and evacuation arrangements.

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What is an Evacuation Chair?

An evacuation chair is specialist equipment designed to assist a person who cannot independently use the normal evacuation route, particularly where stairs need to be negotiated.

Depending on the make and model, an evacuation chair may incorporate:

• Stair tracks or belts

• Passenger restraints

• Operating handles

• Wheels for movement on level surfaces

• Head or passenger supports

• Folding mechanisms for storage

Different evacuation chairs operate differently.

For this reason, learners should be familiar with the specific evacuation chair provided at their workplace, rather than assuming that all chairs deploy and operate in the same way.

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What Will I Learn on the Evacuation Chair Course?

During the course, learners will cover both theoretical knowledge and practical operation.

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• Introduction to Evacuation Chairs

• Emergency Evacuation Procedures

• Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans – PEEPs

• Pre-Use Evacuation Chair Safety Checks

• Communication and Passenger Safety

 

45-Minute Practical Evacuation Chair Training

A key part of the course is the practical session.

Approximately 45 minutes is allocated to practical evacuation chair training, subject to the premises, equipment and needs of the group.

Practical scenario – bringing the different elements together in a realistic evacuation exercise.

CONTROL – COMMUNICATE – REASSURE – NEVER RUSH

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Training Using Your Own Evacuation Chair

Wherever possible, we deliver the course using your own evacuation chair at your premises.

This is important because evacuation chairs vary between manufacturers and models.

Training with your own equipment allows staff to become familiar with:

• Its location

• How it is removed from storage

• How it deploys

• Its operating controls

• Passenger restraints

• Stair track mechanism

• Folding and storage arrangements

When booking, please provide us with the manufacturer and model of your evacuation chair, where known.

If the chair is unlabelled or its manufacturer cannot be identified, please let us know before training.

 

Who Should Attend Evacuation Chair Training?

This course is suitable for employees who may be expected to assist another person during an emergency evacuation, including:

• Fire Marshals and Fire Wardens

• Facilities and Estates Teams

• Health & Safety Representatives

• Building Managers

• School and Academy Staff

• College and University Staff

• Healthcare Workers

• Care Home Staff

• Reception and Front-of-House Teams

• Emergency Response Teams

• Public Sector Employees

No previous evacuation chair experience is required.

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Evacuation Chair Training for Schools

Schools, academies and colleges may need to consider the evacuation requirements of pupils, staff and visitors who may be unable to independently use stairs or standard evacuation routes.

Our practical training can be delivered at your school using your existing evacuation chair and can be arranged to fit around the school day.

Sessions can be provided as part of an INSET day, staff development programme or other suitable training period.

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Evacuation Chair Training for Care & Healthcare Settings

We can also provide evacuation chair training for:

• Care homes

• Medical centres

• Healthcare facilities

• Supported living environments

• Community healthcare organisations

Training can be tailored around the premises, equipment and existing emergency procedures.

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On-Site Evacuation Chair Training in Doncaster & Yorkshire

ER Training can provide group evacuation chair training at your premises throughout:

Doncaster | Sheffield | Rotherham | Barnsley | Worksop | Retford | Leeds | Wakefield | Scunthorpe | Lincoln | Chesterfield | York | Hull

Training is also available nationally by arrangement.

For organisations with larger numbers of employees requiring training, we can arrange multiple sessions on the same day.

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Why Choose Emergency Response Training Ltd?

Emergency Response Training Ltd has been providing workplace safety and emergency response training since 2002.

From our Doncaster base, our instructors work with businesses, schools, healthcare providers, public-sector organisations and other employers throughout Yorkshire and surrounding areas.

Our approach is practical and straightforward: learners need to understand what to do, how to use their equipment and how to respond safely if an emergency occurs.

With evacuation chair training, we place particular emphasis on practical participation so learners can gain experience using the equipment provided at their own workplace.

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Related Fire Safety Training

Evacuation Chair Training can be delivered independently or alongside other ER Training services, including:

• Fire Marshal / Fire Warden Training

• Fire Marshal Training with Live Fire Extinguisher Practice

• Fire Safety Awareness Training

• Fire Risk Assessments

• Workplace First Aid Training

• Health & Safety Training

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Evacuation Chair Training FAQs

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What is evacuation chair training?

Evacuation chair training teaches staff how to prepare, deploy and safely operate an evacuation chair to assist someone who may be unable to use stairs independently during an emergency. ER Training's course combines evacuation awareness, PEEP awareness, equipment checks and practical evacuation chair operation.

How long does evacuation chair training take?

Our Evacuation Chair Training course takes approximately 1.5 hours, including around 45 minutes of practical training.

How many people can attend an evacuation chair course?

We recommend a maximum of 12 learners per session to provide sufficient opportunity for practical participation and instructor supervision.

Do we need our own evacuation chair?

Yes. Our on-site course is designed to use your organisation's evacuation chair so staff can become familiar with the equipment they would be expected to use during a real emergency.

Do you need to know the make and model of our evacuation chair?

Where possible, yes. Please provide the manufacturer and model when booking. This allows us to understand the equipment being used and tailor the practical training appropriately.

What if our evacuation chair doesn't have a manufacturer's label?

Please tell us when booking. If possible, send us photographs of the chair beforehand. The instructor can assess the equipment available, but manufacturer-specific specifications or operating limits should not be assumed where they cannot be verified.

Is evacuation chair training a legal requirement?

UK fire-safety guidance requires appropriate arrangements for people who may require assistance to escape. Where an evacuation chair forms part of those arrangements, government guidance states that operators require training and practice and that regular staff training in the use of evacuation chairs is essential.

What is a PEEP?

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) records arrangements to help an individual who may need assistance to evacuate during an emergency. It can consider the person's needs, evacuation routes, assistance, equipment, communication and staff responsibilities. Government guidance includes example documentation for recording PEEPs.

Does everyone with a mobility impairment need an evacuation chair?

No. An evacuation chair should not automatically be assumed to be appropriate for everybody with a mobility impairment. Government guidance notes that some wheelchair users may be unable to transfer into an evacuation chair or maintain a suitable seated position. Individual evacuation requirements should therefore be properly considered.

Can lifts be used during a fire evacuation?

This depends on the building and the type of lift. An ordinary passenger lift should not simply be assumed to be available during a fire. Some buildings have appropriately designed evacuation or firefighting lifts that form part of the evacuation strategy. The arrangements should be determined through the building's fire-safety planning and risk assessment.

Does the course include practical stair descent?

Yes. The course includes practical familiarisation and, where the premises and equipment allow it to be undertaken safely, supervised stair-descent training using the organisation's evacuation chair.

Will learners receive a certificate?

Yes. Learners who complete the course receive an Emergency Response Training Certificate of Attendance.

Can you provide evacuation chair training at our workplace?

Yes. This course is specifically designed for on-site delivery using your own evacuation chair. We provide training in Doncaster and throughout Yorkshire and surrounding areas, with national delivery available by arrangement.

Is evacuation chair training suitable for schools?

Yes. The training is suitable for schools, academies, colleges and other education settings where staff may be responsible for assisting pupils, employees or visitors during an emergency evacuation.

How often should evacuation chair training be refreshed?

The appropriate frequency should be determined by your organisation's fire-safety arrangements, equipment and staff competence. Government guidance emphasises regular training and practice. Refresher training may also be appropriate following equipment changes, changes to evacuation procedures or where staff no longer feel confident operating the chair.

 

Book Evacuation Chair Training

Give your staff the opportunity to practise using the evacuation equipment provided at your premises.

Evacuation Chair Training
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Maximum Group: 12 Learners
Delivery: On-Site
Practical Training: Included
Certification: Emergency Response Training Certificate of Attendance

Call: 01302 802016

Or contact the ER Training team to discuss dates and on-site delivery.