Evacuation Chair Training Course
The Evacuation Chair Training Course from Phoenix STS equips your staff with the practical skills to evacuate people with mobility impairments during emergencies safely. We deliver stair evacuation training Ireland-wide, helping you meet your legal obligations and protect everyone in your building.
- Duration: Half-day (4 hours) or full-day (6 hours)
- Certification: Valid for 2 years
- Class Size: Maximum 4–12 learners (depending on format)
- Delivery: On-site at your premises OR public courses in Longford
- Assessment: Practical skills demonstration
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Evacuation Chair Training Course Overview
In an emergency, lifts cannot be used. For anyone with mobility difficulties, whether permanent or temporary, this creates a serious challenge: how do they evacuate safely via the stairs?
Evacuation chairs provide the solution, but only when staff know how to use them properly. Incorrect operation risks injury to both the operator and the person being evacuated. The Evacuation Chair Training Course teaches your team how to deploy, operate, and manoeuvre evacuation chairs safely and confidently.
Phoenix STS delivers stair evacuation training that employers in Ireland trust. Our practical, hands-on approach ensures participants don’t just understand the theory; they can actually perform safe evacuations when it matters. We offer flexible delivery options: on-site training at your premises using your equipment, or scheduled public courses at our training centre in Longford for individual bookings.
Whether you operate an office, hotel, retail premises, healthcare facility, school, or any multi-storey building, this course prepares your designated staff to assist vulnerable individuals during emergency evacuations.
Stair Evacuation Training Ireland: Legal Requirements
Irish employers have a legal duty to ensure the safety of all building occupants during emergencies, including people with disabilities. Several pieces of legislation establish these obligations:
Key Legislation
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005: Requires employers to ensure employees’ safety and health, including during emergencies
- Equal Status Acts 2000–2018: Prohibits discrimination on grounds of disability and requires reasonable accommodation
- Fire Services Acts 1981–2003: Places duties on building owners regarding fire safety and evacuation
These regulations require employers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure safe evacuation for all staff and visitors. Providing evacuation chairs is part of the solution, but without trained operators, the equipment is ineffective.
The Evacuation Chair Training Course helps you demonstrate compliance by ensuring designated staff can operate evacuation equipment competently and safely.
Who Should Attend the Evacuation Chair Training Course
This course is designed for anyone who may be required to operate an evacuation chair during an emergency. Typical attendees include:
- Fire wardens and marshals: Designated evacuation coordinators
- Emergency response team members: Staff assigned to assist during evacuations
- Health and safety officers: Personnel responsible for workplace safety
- Facilities and building managers: Those overseeing building safety systems
- Reception and security staff: Front-line personnel who may need to assist visitors
- First aiders: Staff already trained in emergency response
- HR and training coordinators: Those implementing safety training programmes
- Any designated evacuation chair operator: Staff assigned to specific evacuation chairs in your building
The course is suitable for all building types, including offices, hotels, retail premises, schools, universities, healthcare facilities, leisure centres, and public buildings.
What You’ll Learn on the Evacuation Chair Training Course
The course combines theory with extensive hands-on practice to build genuine competence, not just awareness.
Understanding Evacuation Chairs
Participants learn about different types of evacuation chairs, their design features, weight capacities, and appropriate applications. You’ll understand how tracked chairs, wheeled models, and bariatric chairs differ, and which types are suitable for your building’s stairwells and evacuation routes.
Legal Framework and Responsibilities
The course covers relevant Irish legislation, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, Equal Status Acts, and fire safety regulations. Participants understand both organisational obligations and their own responsibilities as trained operators.
Pre-Use Inspections
Before deploying an evacuation chair, operators must confirm it’s safe to use. You’ll learn a systematic pre-use inspection checklist covering braking systems, harnesses, wheels or tracks, and safety mechanisms, ensuring equipment is always ready when needed.
Risk Assessment
Not every situation is the same. Participants learn to conduct rapid risk assessments before and during evacuations, identify hazards, plan routes, and adapt techniques to the environment and the needs of the person being evacuated.
Safe Transfer Techniques
Transferring someone into an evacuation chair requires proper technique to protect both the operator and the passenger. You’ll learn and practice safe manual handling principles for transfers, including techniques for people with varying mobility levels.
Chair Operation and Manoeuvring
The practical core of the course focuses on operating evacuation chairs safely:
- Deploying and setting up the chair correctly
- Securing passengers with harnesses and restraints
- Operating braking systems
- Manoeuvring on level surfaces
- Controlled descent on stairs
- Navigating obstacles, doorways, and thresholds
Communication and Reassurance
Being evacuated can be frightening. Operators learn how to communicate clearly with passengers throughout the process, providing reassurance and maintaining calm during what may be a stressful situation.
Post-Use Procedures
After an evacuation, whether a drill or a real emergency, chairs must be checked, cleaned, and returned to their storage location. You’ll learn post-use inspection and maintenance procedures to keep equipment ready for future use.
Evacuation Chair Training Course Programme
| Module | Content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Purpose of evacuation chairs; types and features; legislative context |
| Risk Assessment | Pre-use assessment; dynamic risk assessment during evacuation; route planning |
| Equipment Inspection | Pre-use checks; identifying faults; maintenance requirements |
| Deployment | Unfolding, setting up, and positioning for transfer. |
| Transfer Techniques | Safe manual handling; transfers for varying mobility levels; securing passengers |
| Chair Operation | Level surface manoeuvring; stair descent; braking; obstacle navigation |
| Communication | Passenger reassurance; clear instructions; emergency communication protocols |
| Practical Exercises | Hands-on practice with evacuation chairs and training manikins |
| Assessment | Practical demonstration of safe evacuation technique |
Benefits of the Evacuation Chair Training Course
For Individuals
- Gain practical skills to help vulnerable people during emergencies
- Build confidence through hands-on practice
- Understand your responsibilities under Irish legislation
- Receive a recognised certificate valid for 2 years
- Learn techniques that protect you from injury during evacuations
- Be prepared to act decisively when it matters
For Organisations
- Meet legal obligations under health and safety legislation
- Demonstrate duty of care to all staff and visitors
- Ensure evacuation chairs are actually usable in emergencies
- Reduce risk of injury and potential liability claims
- Create a more inclusive workplace
- Improve emergency preparedness and response capability
Evacuation Chair Training Course Details
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this operator course. However:
- Training is delivered in English; learners must have sufficient fluency to participate fully
- Learners should wear comfortable clothing suitable for practical exercises
- Please inform us of any medical conditions that may affect participation in physical activities
- Learners must be at least 18 years of age
Note: If you want to train others to use evacuation chairs (train-the-trainer), see our Evacuation Chair Instructors Course, which requires prior completion of this operator course plus a Manual Handling Course.
Training Methods
- Classroom presentation: Theory delivered via PowerPoint with discussion
- Demonstration: Our instructors demonstrate correct techniques
- Hands-on practice: Extensive practice with evacuation chairs
- Training manikins: We use professional Ruth Lee rescue manikins for safe, realistic practice
- Practical assessment: Each learner demonstrates a safe evacuation technique
Assessment
Participants are assessed through practical demonstration. Each learner must safely evacuate a training manikin down a set of stairs using an evacuation chair, demonstrating correct technique throughout. Our instructors observe and provide feedback to ensure everyone reaches the required standard.
Certification
Upon successful completion, learners receive a Phoenix STS Training Certificate valid for two years. We recommend refresher training before the certificate expires to maintain skills and stay current with best practices.
Our Instructors
All Phoenix STS evacuation chair instructors are qualified People Moving and Handling Instructors and Evacuation Equipment Instructors. They hold memberships with professional bodies including NAHFO, IFE, IOSH, IIESMS, IIRSM, IHEEM, and L&DI.
All instructors have achieved a minimum of Fire Safety Technician (FST.IIESMS) recognition and complete manufacturer-approved refresher training every three years.
Duration and Class Size Options
We offer flexible options to suit your organisation’s needs:
| Option | Duration | Max Learners | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-Day | 4 hours (2 × 2-hour sessions) | 4 learners | Small teams needing focused, intensive training |
| Full-Day | 6 hours (3 × 2-hour sessions) | 12 learners | Larger groups allow rotation through practical stations |
Both options include the duplicate course content. The full-day format accommodates more learners by extending practical sessions and rotating groups through exercises.
Stair Evacuation Training Ireland: Delivery Options
We offer two ways to complete the Evacuation Chair Training Course, giving you flexibility to choose the option that best suits your organisation.
Option 1: On-Site Training at Your Premises
We come to your workplace anywhere in Ireland. On-site training offers significant advantages:
- Practice on your actual stairs and evacuation routes
- Use your own evacuation chair equipment
- No travel time or costs for your staff
- Training tailored to your building layout
- Schedule at times that suit your operations
- Train up to 12 staff in a single day
Best for: Organisations with multiple staff to train, or those wanting site-specific training.
What You Need to Provide for On-Site Training
- A training area with staircase access
- Space for classroom-based theory elements
- Your evacuation chair(s) for familiarisation (we also bring equipment)
Book Your Evacuation Chair Training Course
Ensure your team can safely evacuate everyone in an emergency.
On-site training: Request a Quote
Option 2: Public Courses at Our Longford Training Centre
In addition to on-site delivery, we run scheduled public Evacuation Chair Training Course dates throughout the year at our training centre in Longford. Public courses are ideal if you:
- Have one or two staff members to train
- Prefer not to arrange dedicated on-site sessions
- Want staff trained quickly on a fixed date
- Are you an individual seeking this qualification
Public courses follow the same programme and certification as 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.
Best for: Individual bookings, small numbers of staff, or when you need training on a specific date.
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Evacuation Chair Training Course FAQs
Is evacuation chair training a legal requirement in Ireland?
Irish legislation requires employers to ensure safe evacuation for all building occupants, including those with mobility impairments. While specific equipment isn’t mandated, providing evacuation chairs and trained operators is widely recognised as best practice for meeting your duty of care under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and Equal Status Acts.
Do you offer public evacuation chair training courses?
Yes. We run scheduled public Evacuation Chair Training Course dates at our training centre in Longford throughout the year. These are ideal for individual bookings or for training a small number of staff: view dates and book on our Public Courses page.
How long is the evacuation chair certificate valid?
The Phoenix STS certificate is valid for two years. We recommend completing refresher training before expiry to maintain skills and stay current with best practices.
Do I need any prior training to attend this course?
No. This is an operator course with no prerequisites. However, if you want to become an instructor who trains others, you’ll need to complete this course first, plus a Manual Handling Course, before attending our Evacuation Chair Instructors Course.
How many staff should we train as evacuation chair operators?
This depends on your building size, layout, number of evacuation chairs, and staff patterns. At a minimum, ensure that enough trained operators are available during all working hours to cover each evacuation chair. Consider shift patterns, holidays, and staff turnover when planning numbers.
Can you deliver training at our premises?
Yes. We deliver stair evacuation training Ireland-wide at your workplace. On-site training allows you to practice on your actual stairs with your own equipment. Alternatively, if you only have one or two staff to train, you can book onto one of our public courses at our Longford training centre.
What types of evacuation chairs does the training cover?
The training covers general principles applicable to all evacuation chair types, including tracked, wheeled, and bariatric models. We can focus on the specific models you have in your building. Phoenix STS is the only company in Ireland authorised to provide training on the Elite Emergency Evacuation Chair.
Is there a weight limit for evacuation chairs?
Yes. Most standard evacuation chairs have a maximum capacity of 120–180 kg, depending on the model. The course covers how to assess whether a chair is suitable for the person being evacuated. Bariatric models are available for heavier individuals.
What if someone fails the practical assessment?
Our instructors provide guidance and feedback throughout the practical sessions. If a participant struggles with any element, the instructor works with them to address it. In the rare case someone doesn’t reach the required standard, we discuss options for additional practice.
Do you provide the evacuation chairs for training?
Yes, we bring evacuation chairs and training manikins. However, we also encourage using your own equipment during training, so staff become familiar with the specific chairs they’ll use in a real emergency.
How often should we run evacuation chair refresher training?
Certificate validity is two years. However, if staff haven’t used an evacuation chair for an extended period, we recommend practising evacuation procedures regularly through drills. A refresher before the two-year mark may be beneficial.
What’s the difference between this course and the Instructor course?
This Evacuation Chair Training Course qualifies you to operate evacuation chairs. The Evacuation Chair Instructors Course is a train-the-trainer programme that qualifies you to train others. Instructors must complete the operator course first.
Are there any physical requirements for operators?
Operating evacuation chairs requires a reasonable level of physical capability to control the chair during stair descent. The course teaches techniques that minimise physical strain through correct body mechanics. If you have concerns about physical limitations, please discuss with us before booking.
Related Training and Services
- Evacuation Chair Instructors Course – Train-the-trainer qualification to deliver in-house training
- Manual Handling Course – Safe lifting and handling techniques
- Evacuation Planning – Develop comprehensive emergency evacuation procedures
- Fire Safety Consultancy – Expert guidance on fire safety compliance
- Elite Emergency Evacuation Chair – Purchase evacuation equipment
Page last updated: January 2025
