Building management often aims to exceed their minimum legal obligations to create universally accessible environments for a broad group. In line with these efforts, the Evacuation Chair Training Course equips participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to safely and effectively use evacuation chairs. This course is essential for those responsible for building management safety and evacuation procedures, ensuring individuals with mobility impairments can be evacuated safely during emergencies. By training users in evacuation chairs, building management furthers their commitment to accessibility and safety for all individuals.

Depending on the user’s physical requirements, an evacuation chair for stairs can safely move people with mobility impairments in emergency evacuation situations. Anyone responsible for operating an evacuation chair must receive proper training to ensure they are competent and can use it correctly and safely. The Evacuation Chair Training Course is designed to enable an individual to use evacuation equipment safely and in a controlled manner.

All buildings (evacuation chair regulations) above or below the ground floor level where the upper or lower floors are accessible using a staircase require evacuation devices placed on each escape stairwell. It is also essential to assess the suitability of the evacuation chair chosen based on the occupant’s profile in the building. The higher the level of dependency of the occupants within the building, the more evacuation chairs are needed, and the required training must be in place.

Upon completing the course, all learners can safely use the evacuation chair according to their organisation’s moving and handling procedures to avoid the risk of manual handling injuries to themselves and the person being evacuated. A suitable location for practical activities is required to complete this course (staff who assist learners will be certified as trained in using an evacuation chair by Phoenix STS).

Phoenix STS is an Authorised Training Provider

Phoenix STS is the only company authorised in Ireland to provide train-the-trainer courses on the Elite Emergency Evacuation Chair. The Evacuation Chair Training Course is conducted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and guidelines, with a maximum of two learners per course.

Our tutors undergo extensive refresher training every three years to ensure they are certified to deliver training to the highest possible standard. Phoenix STS ensures that our tutors are current with the manufacturer’s requirements, meet your legal obligations and keep up to date with new regulations in emergency escape procedures for all, including the mobility impaired, by being trained by our officially recognised tutors.

Course Aims and Objectives

• To equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to use evacuation chairs safely and effectively.
• User Training: Develop the ability to use evacuation chairs confidently and competently, emphasising best practices and safety protocols.

Target Audience

• Anyone Interested in Emergency Preparedness: Individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in emergency evacuation protocols and using evacuation chairs.
• Health and Safety Officers: Individuals responsible for ensuring workplace safety and compliance with emergency evacuation procedures.
• Emergency Response Team Members: Personnel planning and executing emergency evacuations within their organisation.
• Facilities Managers: Those responsible for the maintenance and safety of buildings and facilities, including implementing evacuation planning.
• Occupational Health Professionals: Specialists focusing on the health and safety of employees within the workplace.
• Fire Wardens and Marshals: Designated individuals overseeing fire safety and evacuation procedures.
• Training Coordinators: Professionals responsible for organising and conducting training programs within their organisation.
• Human Resources Managers: HR professionals developing and implementing workplace safety training programs.
• First Aid Responders: Individuals trained to provide immediate assistance in emergencies who want to expand their skills in evacuation procedures.

Pre-Course Requirements

• Age Requirement: Learners must be 18 years of age or older.
• Language Proficiency: The course is delivered in English; therefore, learners must be fluent in English to participate fully and comprehend the training material.
• Manual Handling Course: Before attending this training, learners must have completed a Manual Handling Course to ensure they are familiar with safe lifting and handling techniques.
• Attire: Learners should wear comfortable clothing suitable for practical activities, as the course involves extensive physical movement.
• Practical Activities Location: A suitable location for practical activities is required to complete this course. This space should accommodate safe and effective evacuation chair use.
• Special Requirements: Please inform us of any specific learner requirements in advance so we can make necessary accommodations to ensure a comfortable and accessible learning experience.

Course Programme

• Introduction to evacuation chairs.
• Ensuring the safety of both the chair passenger and operator.
• Risk assessment procedures before and during the use of an evacuation chair.
• Practical Training Step-by-step instructions on properly using and handling evacuation chairs.
• Techniques for safely transferring individuals to and from the evacuation chair.
• Navigating different terrains and obstacles during an evacuation.

Training Methods

This course is exclusively carried out ‘on-site’. The benefits of conducting training at your premises include;

• Each learner will get practical experience using an evacuation chair in a controlled environment.
• Courses are tailored to the learner’s work environment, providing two-way feedback during the course to answer the learner’s queries.
• Additionally, the course offers guidance on best practice techniques, ensuring participants are well-equipped to handle emergency evacuations safely and efficiently.
• Rescue training manikins are utilised for optimal safety during evacuation equipment training.

Assessment

Learners must successfully and safely evacuate the evacuation chair downstairs with a Rescue training manikin in it.

Certification

Upon successfully completing the Evacuation Chair Training Course, learners will receive a Phoenix STS Training certificate, valid for two (2) years.

Maximum Number of Learners

The Evacuation Chair Training Course is predominantly skill-based and limited to 4 learners per training session.

Duration

• 2 x 1.5-hour training training sessions (Half-day) up to a total of 8 learners
• 3 x 1.5-hour training training sessions (Full-day) up to a total of 12 learners

This allows adequate time for practice and demonstration with the skills modules of the course