Evacuation Chair Training

The Real Cost of Inadequate Emergency Evacuation Planning
• Challenges associated with evacuating mobility-impaired persons during emergencies
• Consequences of delayed or ineffective evacuation procedures
• Impact on employee safety, visitors, contractors, and building occupants
• Business continuity and reputational risks
• Lessons learned from workplace emergency incidents

Understanding Evacuation Chair Systems
• What an evacuation chair is and how it works
• Types of evacuation chairs and their applications
• Understanding chair design and safety features
• Limitations of evacuation chair equipment
• Importance of routine inspection and maintenance awareness

Hazard Identification & Emergency Risk Awareness
• Risks associated with stairway evacuations
• Challenges in multi-storey buildings
• Identifying individuals who may require evacuation assistance
• Environmental factors affecting emergency evacuations
• Common mistakes during assisted evacuations

Legal Responsibilities & Emergency Planning
• Employer responsibilities for emergency preparedness
• Accessibility and inclusion considerations
• Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) awareness
• Role of designated evacuation assistants
• Supporting organisational emergency arrangements

Safe Preparation for Evacuation
• Assessing evacuation routes
• Preparing individuals for assisted evacuation
• Communication and reassurance techniques
• Conducting pre-use equipment checks
• Understanding operator responsibilities

Practical Evacuation Chair Operation
• Safe deployment of evacuation chairs
• Correct seating and securing procedures
• Stairway descent techniques
• Operator positioning and control methods
• Safe handling principles during evacuation

Emergency Procedures & Incident Response
• Responding effectively during fire alarms and emergencies
• Coordinating with Fire Wardens and emergency teams
• Maintaining communication throughout evacuations
• Escalation procedures and emergency reporting
• Supporting safe assembly point procedures

Organisational Responsibility & Safety Culture
• Employee responsibilities
• Fire Warden and evacuation team responsibilities
• Supervisor and management responsibilities
• Maintaining emergency preparedness
• Supporting an inclusive workplace safety culture

Evacuation Planning as an Ongoing Risk Management Activity
• Regular drills and practice exercises
• Reviewing emergency evacuation plans
• Equipment inspection and maintenance awareness
• Continuous improvement of evacuation procedures
• Embedding accessibility into emergency planning

This course is suitable for employees responsible for assisting during emergency evacuations and those involved in workplace safety management.

Participants may include:

• Fire Wardens / Fire Marshals
• Health & Safety Officers
• Facilities Managers
• Building Managers
• Security Personnel
• Care and Support Staff
• HR and Workplace Safety Coordinators
• Emergency Response Team Members

No prior evacuation chair experience is required.

Inclusive Emergency Planning
Emergency evacuation procedures must consider individuals with limited mobility to ensure safe exit from buildings.

Workplace Safety
Proper training reduces the risk of injury to both the operator and the person being evacuated.

Emergency Preparedness
Employees trained in evacuation chair use ensure organisations can respond effectively during emergencies.

Risk Reduction
ractical training ensures evacuation equipment is used correctly and safely.

Participants will:

• Understand the purpose and importance of evacuation chairs
• Identify situations where evacuation chairs should be used
• Safely prepare and position individuals for evacuation
• Operate evacuation chairs on stairways safely and effectively
• Demonstrate safe handling techniques during evacuation
• Support workplace emergency evacuation procedures

Instructor-led training with strong emphasis on practical demonstration and hands-on exercises.

Training includes:

• Demonstration of evacuation chair operation
• Practical handling exercises
• Stairway evacuation simulations
• Discussion of emergency scenarios

Delivered:

• Onsite at client premises, or
• Online Webinar

This training supports employer responsibilities under:

• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007

Workplace emergency planning and fire safety requirements

Irish workplace safety legislation requires employers to:

• Ensure safe evacuation procedures are in place
• Provide appropriate emergency equipment where required
• Ensure employees are trained in emergency response procedures
• Maintain safe evacuation arrangements for all building occupants

Samson Training delivers practical workplace safety training designed to support real-world emergency preparedness.

Our training focuses on:

• Practical evacuation chair operation
• Safe manual handling techniques
• Real workplace evacuation scenarios
• Hands-on learning with professional instructors
• Building confidence in emergency response situations

We help organisations ensure evacuation procedures are effective, inclusive, and compliant with workplace safety responsibilities.

What is evacuation chair training?
Evacuation chair training teaches participants how to safely operate specialised evacuation equipment used to assist individuals with reduced mobility during emergency building evacuations.

Who should attend evacuation chair training?
Employees responsible for emergency evacuation procedures such as fire wardens, health and safety staff, facilities personnel, and building managers.

How long does evacuation chair training take?
The course is delivered over approximately 3 hours and includes both theory and practical hands-on training.

Does the course include practical training?
Yes. Participants receive hands-on training in setting up, operating, and safely manoeuvring evacuation chairs on stairways.