HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLBEING
A SAFE AND DIGNIFIED EVACUATION
When it comes to fire safety, ensuring everyone can evacuate safely is not an option; it’s a necessity, says Evaccess, the evacuation specialist exhibiting at the Fire Safety Event in Birmingham (8th – 10th April).
Despite legal obligations and ethical responsibilities, many buildings still fail to provide a safe and effective means of evacuation for those who need assistance.
At Evaccess, we specialise in assisted evacuation devices (AEDs) that provide dignified, safe, and effective evacuation solutions. We understand the risks of using the wrong equipment and the dangers of poorly planned evacuation routes.
That’s why we’re exhibiting at the Fire Safety Event 2024 at NEC Birmingham (8-10 April, Stand 4/L30) to offer expert guidance on:
• Choosing the right evacuation equipment.
• The importance of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).
• How to train your team to confidently handle emergency evacuations.
On 9th and 10th April, Elspeth Grant, an expert in PEEPs and evacuation of disabled and vulnerable individuals, will be available on our stand to answer your questions.
This is a unique opportunity to receive expert guidance on how to create legally compliant and practical evacuation plans.
You can check out Elspeth Grant’s expertise on LinkedIn.
Why the wrong equipment is no equipment at all In recent years, we’ve encountered a worrying trend: businesses are purchasing evacuation chairs or devices that simply don’t work for their specific needs.
In an emergency, the wrong equipment could lead to someone being trapped in the building - a catastrophic failure that must be avoided at all costs. Some of the most common mistakes we’ve seen include:
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• Equipment that doesn’t fit the evacuation route – Many evacuation chairs cannot handle flared or spiral staircases. Without a proper site survey, businesses may unknowingly buy equipment that won’t work when needed.
• Weight limits that don’t accommodate intended users – Some evacuation chairs are built for lightweight users only. This leaves many disabled individuals without a safe escape option.
• Devices requiring a transfer – Many evacuation chairs require wheelchair users to transfer out of their chair - something that isn’t possible for many people with mobility impairments. If an evacuation chair is not suitable for self-transfer, it could be useless in a real emergency.
• Moving equipment to a different staircase – Some businesses relocate evacuation chairs to different parts of the building without testing if they work on the new staircase. This can render the equipment ineffective and dangerous.
How to choose the right evacuation
equipment: A step-by-step guide Selecting the right evacuation chair or stair climber is not as simple as buying any available product and placing it by the stairs.
A well-planned evacuation strategy must consider who will use the equipment, where it will be used, and who will operate it.
At Evaccess, we take a four-step approach to ensure that businesses choose the right evacuation solutions:
Step one: Consultation and site survey
Before selecting evacuation equipment, we conduct a comprehensive assessment of your premises. This includes:
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