Emergency Evacuation Preparedness: Taking Responsibility For Your Safety A Guide For People with Disabilities and Other Activity Limitations

Emergency evacuation devices are available to help evacuate individuals with mobility limitations from buildings. These devices can help individuals quickly move people with mobility limitations down the stairs or across rough terrain. Evacuation chairs and other devices are not mandatory or required by law, although many building management companies and corporations purchase them voluntarily. (Job Accommodation Network 2002) (Bondi 2001)

Portable chairs permit a relatively small person to transport a larger person. With other devices, both individuals ideally should be about the same weight. These chairs are designed to travel down stairs on special tracks with friction braking systems, rollers or other devices to control the speed of descent.

When selecting a device consult the intended user. The advantages or disadvantages of these devices are dependent on the capabilities, acceptance, and understanding of the end user(s). The effectiveness or failure of evacuation chairs as a rule can be attributed to the fact that the user was not consulted on the equipment selection. Chairs that do not accommodate the physical needs of the user create problems, which may lead to a refusal to use them in an emergency.  Evacuation chairs or other devices are not mandatory or required by law, although many buildings or corporations purchase them voluntarily.

EVAC+CHAIR Weighs 18 pounds and has a 300‑lb. carrying capacity.  Allows one person to help another get out of danger.

EVAC+CHAIR Corporation

PO Box 2396

New York, NY 10021

212‑734‑6222

http://www.evac‑chair.com/

EVACU‑TRAC is designed so the passenger's weight propels it down the stairs, while a governor limits the maximum descent speed. It has a 360‑lb. carrying capacity.

Garaventa (Canada) Ltd.

7505‑134A Street

Surrey, B.C.

Canada V3W 7B3

1‑604‑594‑0422