COVER STORY


“Do not refuse entry to a wheelchair user because you could not evacuate them.” - Fire Reform Equality Act.


“Ensure that all people … can leave the building safely in the event of a fire.” - Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005


“Schools and colleges are obliged to anticipate and put in place ‘reasonable adjustments’ to avoid disabled students being treated less favourably.” - Equality Act 2010


An extremely low number of organisations and companies offer an evacuation plan where a wheelchair user can be evacuated in their own chair. This is a problem as, without an appropriate evacuation route, wheelchair users enter buildings with the risk of losing their life.


The CEO of Sociability posted on LinkedIn in reflection of World Wheelchair Day, listing reasons why their wheelchair is a ‘tool for freedom’ rather than something they are restricted by. They describe how the wheelchair enables them to work as CEO, to travel, to speak publicly and to navigate their life fully. Reflecting on this, losing a wheelchair in an evacuation would put the person back to square one, restricting their life once again.


HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT EVACUATION EQUIPMENT


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 1: CONSULTATION & SITE SURVEY


Before selecting evacuation equipment, we conduct a comprehensive assessment of your premises. This includes:


• Evaluating your staircases and escape routes. •


• Determining whether the intended users can self-transfer.


• Testing different models to find the best fit for your needs.


We also bring equipment for live demonstrations so that your team can see first-hand how it performs in an emergency scenario.


Learn more about our evacuation products. https://evaccess.uk/products/


STEP 2: PERSONAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS (PEEPS)


A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is not just a document – it’s a life-saving plan. It must be:


• Legally compliant and tailored to the individual. • Tested and practiced ensuring a smooth evacuation. • Agreed upon by all relevant parties, including the individual affected.


Many businesses assume that the Fire Service will handle evacuations – this is not the case. It is your responsibility to have the right AEDs on-site and ready for immediate use.


If you need expert advice, contact us Find out more about our PEEPs training. STEP 3: TRAINING – COMPETENCE SAVES LIVES


https://evaccess.uk/training/e-learning-online-courses/


Buying the best evacuation equipment is pointless if your staff don’t know how to use it properly. Training is critical to ensuring that, in an emergency, your team can:


• Confidently operate evacuation devices. • Safely evacuate disabled and vulnerable individuals. • Respond quickly and effectively under pressure.


At Evaccess, we offer:


• Operator training – Hands-on sessions to build confidence and competence.


• Train-the-Trainer programs – Empowering internal teams to train others.


• Annual refresher courses – Keeping staff ready and prepared.


Explore our training options. STEP 4: SERVICING & ONGOING SUPPORT


https://evaccess.uk/training/


AEDs need regular servicing to remain operational. A faulty evacuation chair during an emergency can have catastrophic consequences. That’s why we provide:


• Annual servicing to ensure your equipment is in top condition.


• Regular testing and inspections to catch potential issues early.


• Support for all makes and models of evacuation chairs and stair climbers.


https://evaccess.uk 15 WWW.TOMORROWSHS.COM Identifying who will operate the evacuation device.


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