The Evacuation Chair Instructors Course from Phoenix STS is the leading evacuation chair training provider that Ireland trusts. This CPD-certified train-the-trainer programme qualifies you to deliver evacuation chair training in-house. Practical, hands-on learning with 5-year certification.
- Duration: 6.5 hours (one day)
- Certification: Valid for 5 years
- Class Size: Maximum 4 learners
- Delivery: On-site at your premises across Ireland
- Accreditation: CPD Standards Office Provider #22657
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Course Overview
Phoenix STS is the only company authorised to deliver evacuation chair training Ireland-wide on the Elite Emergency Evacuation Chair. The Evacuation Chair Instructors Course qualifies you to train colleagues in the safe operation of evacuation chairs. Rather than relying on external trainers each time staff need training, you can build this capability within your own organisation.
This train-the-trainer programme combines theory with extensive hands-on practice. You’ll learn correct operating techniques, understand the relevant legislation, and develop the instructional skills needed to deliver effective training sessions. By the end of the day, you’ll be ready to train others confidently and competently.
Phoenix STS is the only company in Ireland authorised to deliver train-the-trainer courses on the Elite Emergency Evacuation Chair. Our instructors complete manufacturer-approved refresher training every three years, ensuring you receive current, accurate instruction.
Evacuation Chair Instructor Training Matters
In an emergency, lifts must not be used unless they are designated evacuation lifts operated by trained staff. For anyone with mobility difficulties, this creates a serious problem: how do they evacuate safely via the stairs? The Evacuation Chair Instructors Course gives your organisation this capability, reducing reliance on external providers.
Evacuation chairs provide the solution. However, they’re only effective when staff know how to use them properly. Incorrect use risks injury to both the operator and the person being evacuated.
Under Irish fire safety legislation, such as the General Application Regulations 2007 to 2020, buildings with floors above or below ground level that are accessed by stairs should have appropriate evacuation provisions in place.
Having in-house instructors trained means your organisation can deliver evacuation chair training in line with the regulations Ireland expects, without waiting for external providers.
- Train new staff promptly without waiting for external providers
- Deliver refresher training when needed
- Ensure consistent training quality across your organisation
- Respond quickly to changes in staffing or building use
Who Should Attend the Instructors Course
This course is designed for individuals who will take responsibility for training others to operate evacuation chairs. Typical attendees include:
- Health and safety officers and managers
- Facilities managers
- Fire wardens and emergency response team members
- Training coordinators and HR professionals
- Building managers and property managers
- Anyone designated to deliver in-house safety training
The course is suitable for all building types, including offices, hotels, retail premises, educational facilities, and healthcare settings.
What You’ll Learn on the Instructors Course
The course covers four core areas, balancing technical knowledge with practical instructional skills.
- Evacuation Chair Fundamentals: Understanding the equipment is the foundation of effective instruction. You’ll learn about different chair types, their design features, weight capacities, and appropriate applications. This module covers how evacuation chairs work, what makes them safe, and how to select the right chair for different building configurations.
- Safe Operating Procedures: The practical core of the course. You’ll master pre-use safety checks, passenger loading and securing techniques, braking system operation, and manoeuvring on stairs and level surfaces. Emphasis is placed on manual handling principles that protect both operator and passenger from injury.
- Risk Assessment and Emergency Protocols: Evacuation chairs operate within a broader emergency context. You’ll learn to assess risks before and during evacuations, integrate chair procedures with building evacuation plans, and handle contingencies such as blocked routes or equipment issues.
- Instructional Techniques: Knowing how to operate a chair is different from knowing how to teach others to operate one. This module develops your ability to deliver engaging training sessions, demonstrate techniques effectively, assess trainee competency, and provide constructive feedback. You’ll practice delivering a mock training session and receive feedback from our instructors.
Detailed Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the course, you will be able to:
- Operate evacuation chairs safely, including pre-use checks, passenger transfer, stair descent, and storage
- Explain relevant Irish legislation and best practice guidance
- Identify equipment components and perform routine inspections
- Apply safe manual handling techniques throughout the evacuation process
- Design and deliver training sessions tailored to your organisation
- Assess trainee competency and provide actionable feedback
- Conduct risk assessments for evacuation chair deployment
- Advice on chair selection and placement within buildings
- Integrate evacuation chair procedures into emergency plans
Benefits of the Evacuation Chair Instructors Course
Completing the Evacuation Chair Instructors Course delivers benefits for both you and your organisation.
For You
- Gain a recognised instructor qualification
- Develop transferable training and presentation skills
- Enhance your professional profile in health and safety
- Build confidence through practical, hands-on learning
- Contribute meaningfully to workplace safety
For Your Organisation
- Create a sustainable in-house training capability
- Reduce long-term training costs
- Ensure consistent training quality and availability
- Demonstrate proactive commitment to safety
- Meet regulatory expectations for emergency preparedness
Evacuation Chair Instructors Course Details
Prerequisites
To attend this instructor course, you must have:
- Previous evacuation chair training: You must have completed an Evacuation Chair Operator Course before attending the instructor programme
- Manual handling training: A current Manual Handling Certificate is required
- English language proficiency: You must be able to understand, speak, read, and write in English
- Minimum age: 18 years or older
Please wear comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement for practical exercises. If you have any medical conditions that could affect your participation in physical activities, please let us know in advance.
What We Provide
- Experienced, manufacturer-certified instructors
- Evacuation chair equipment for practical training
- Training manikins (Ruth Lee rescue manikins) for realistic practice
- Course materials and reference documentation
- CPD-certified certificate upon successful completion
What You Need to Provide
- A suitable training area with staircase access
- Space for classroom-based elements
Assessment
Assessment on the Evacuation Chair Instructors Course is continuous throughout the day…
- Practical skills evaluation: Demonstrating safe chair operation
- Mock training delivery: Planning and delivering a short training session to peers
- Peer and instructor feedback: Constructive review of your instructional technique
Certification
Successful participants receive a Phoenix STS Training Certificate, accredited by Exitmaster and the CPD Standards Office, valid for 5 years. Refresher training is recommended every five years to maintain certification.
Participants who assist during practical exercises will also receive certification as trained evacuation chair operators.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6.5 hours |
| Maximum Participants | 4 learners |
| Certificate Validity | 5 years |
| Delivery Location | On-site at your premises |
| Accreditation | CPD Provider #22657, Exitmaster-approved |
Our Evacuation Chair Instructor Trainers
Our instructors are experienced fire safety and training professionals. They hold memberships with recognised professional bodies, including NAHFO, IFE, IOSH, IIESMS, IIRSM, IHEEM, and L&DI.
All instructors are qualified People Moving and Handling Instructors and Evacuation Equipment Instructors. They complete manufacturer-approved refresher training every three years and hold a minimum of Fire Safety Technician (FST.IIESMS) recognition with the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Safety Management Systems.
Training Methods
We use a blended approach to maximise learning:
- Structured presentations: Covering legislation, equipment types, and procedural frameworks
- Practical demonstrations: Our instructors demonstrate correct techniques before you practice
- Hands-on exercises: Extensive practice with evacuation chairs and training manikins
- Mock training sessions: You design and deliver training to your peers, receiving constructive feedback
- Group discussion: Sharing experiences and addressing questions throughout the day
Public Course Dates
In addition to on-site delivery at your premises, we run scheduled public courses throughout the year. These are ideal if you have one or two staff members to train and prefer not to arrange dedicated on-site training.
Public courses are held throughout Ireland, including at our training centre in Longford, and follow the same CPD-certified programme as our on-site delivery. You’ll train alongside participants from other organisations, which often provides valuable opportunities to share experiences and learn from different workplace contexts.
Benefits of Public Courses
- No minimum numbers required, book individual places
- Fixed dates for easier planning
- Network with safety professionals from other organisations
- Same certification and course content as on-site delivery
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Evacuation Chair Instructors Course FAQs
Yes. You must have completed an Evacuation Chair Operator Course and hold a current Manual Handling Certificate before attending the instructor programme. This ensures you have foundational knowledge before developing instructional skills.
Your instructor certificate is valid for five years. We recommend completing refresher training before your certificate expires to maintain your qualification.
Yes. We deliver this course on-site across Ireland. You’ll need to provide a training area with staircase access and space for classroom elements. Our instructors bring all the necessary equipment.
The course accommodates a maximum of four learners. This small class size ensures everyone receives adequate hands-on practice and individual feedback during the mock training assessment.
Irish fire safety legislation requires adequate emergency evacuation provisions, including for people with disabilities. Technical Guidance Document B and I.S. 3217 provide guidance on evacuation planning. While specific equipment isn’t mandated, evacuation chairs are widely recognised as best practice for buildings with stairs. Having trained operators and the instructors to train them demonstrates compliance with your duty of care.
Training is delivered using the Elite Emergency Evacuation Chair. The skills and principles you learn are transferable to other evacuation chair models, though we recommend operators receive familiarisation training on any specific equipment they’ll use.
Assessment is continuous, and our instructors provide guidance throughout the day. If you’re struggling with any element, they’ll work with you to address it. In rare cases where a participant doesn’t meet the required standard, we’ll discuss options for additional practice or reassessment.
Yes. Staff members who assist learners during practical exercises will receive certification as trained evacuation chair operators.
Please contact us for a quotation. Pricing depends on location and specific requirements.
The core operating principles and instructional techniques apply across evacuation chair models. However, different chairs have specific features and operating procedures. We recommend familiarisation with any specific equipment before delivering training on it.
Related Services
- Evacuation Chair Operator Training – Train your staff to use evacuation chairs safely
- Evacuation Planning – Develop comprehensive emergency evacuation procedures
- Fire Safety Consultancy – Expert guidance on fire safety compliance
- Manual Handling Training – Prerequisite training for this course
- Elite Emergency Evacuation Chair – Purchase evacuation equipment
Page last updated: January 2025
