Escape chair

Escape chair

An escape chair or evacuation chair is a device manufactured for the smooth descent of stairways in the event of an emergency. It was invented in the United States in 1982. The single-user operation device does not require heavy lifting to evacuate a person. An Escape Chair comes always with a green seat, head rest and dust cover.

At airports this equipment is being used to assist persons with reduced mobility during emergency evacuation.

Types[]

A powered version of the escape chair is available as well. By using the electrical track system a person can be saved or moved up and down the stairs by a single operator. Like a mobility problem solver.

Enhanced models can have chairs that require two-person operation; these are more commonly used in ambulances. Lifting handles are used for descent and ascent of stairs. Caterpillar tracks are also used on the stairs.

Laws[]

United Kingdom[]

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995^[1] says that every person is to have a safe entrance into and exit from a building.

Another law regarding chairs is the RRFSO.^[2] Created in 2005, this regulation states that fire officers are not required to enter buildings.

Failure to follow the above laws can result in serious issues. If a person was to perish in the building due to a lack of adequate evacuation equipment, the owners or operators of the building could be charged with corporate manslaughter.^[3]

References[]