Frequently Asked Questions

At EverSafe, we offer a complete end-to-end evacuation solution — so you never have to go anywhere else. That includes supply and installation of evacuation chairs, hands-on Operator Training, Key Trainer (Train the Trainer) courses, re-training, and annual servicing to keep your equipment compliant and ready for use.

Our Key Trainer course is ideal for organisations that want to build in-house capability. Once qualified, your Key Trainer can deliver training to new starters and existing staff directly — without needing to book an external trainer each time. This is particularly valuable for organisations with high staff turnover or seasonal workforce fluctuations, where keeping everyone trained and confident is an ongoing need.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating existing provision, we’ve got you covered.

All training is delivered on-site at your premises, so your team learns in the actual environment they’d be working in.

Operator Training — up to 2.5 hours. Designed for staff who need to be competent and confident in operating an evacuation chair safely. The session covers how to deploy and prepare the chair, correct positioning and support of the person being evacuated, safe staircase descent techniques, clear communication throughout the evacuation, and how the training aligns with UK fire safety legislation. Sessions are capped at 4 delegates to ensure everyone gets proper hands-on time. Delegates receive a certificate on completion.

Key Trainer (Train the Trainer) — up to 3.5 hours. This course equips a designated member of your team with everything covered in Operator Training, plus the knowledge and skills to deliver that training to others within your organisation. It includes guidance on how to plan and run effective sessions, assess competence, and maintain accurate training records.

We recommend re-training every 2 years. This ensures your designated operators remain confident, keep up with any changes in best practice, and stay compliant with your duty of care under UK fire safety legislation.

Re-training is also important whenever there are changes to your team — if a trained operator moves roles or leaves, the remaining staff need to be topped up. We can send you a reminder when you’re due, so nothing slips through the net.

Evacuation chairs should be serviced every year. As a Class 1 Medical Device, your chair must be maintained in safe working order under PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations). EverSafe’s annual servicing checks all moving parts, restraints, braking systems, and general condition, and provides a service report for your records. We can set up a rolling maintenance plan so it’s one less thing to worry about.

Absolutely — we’re not tied to one brand. Our trainers are experienced across the major evacuation chair manufacturers and can deliver training on your existing equipment, as long as it has been serviced within the last 12 months. If your chairs are overdue a service, we can take care of that first and then arrange training in one joined-up visit.

Yes — for any resident or regular visitor who may need assistance to evacuate, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) should be in place. PEEPs are tailored to the individual and document their agreed escape route, evacuation method, and who will assist them. Because care home residents often have complex or changing needs, PEEPs should be reviewed regularly. EverSafe can advise on how evacuation chairs fit into your overall PEEP framework, and which chair model is best suited for your layout and resident profile.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person for your school — typically the headteacher, bursar, or governing body — must carry out a fire risk assessment that accounts for everyone on site, including disabled students and staff. Where staircase evacuation is required, an evacuation chair and trained operators are considered essential. The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 have also introduced new requirements for certain residential buildings from April 2026, which may affect boarding schools. EverSafe can help you work through what’s needed for your specific site.

If your warehouse has mezzanine levels, gantries, or any upper-floor office space that staff regularly use, then yes — an evacuation chair is likely required. Even if most workers are mobile and active, temporary injuries can happen at any time, and your evacuation plan must account for this. Warehouses also frequently employ agency or temporary staff, so a General Emergency Evacuation Plan (GEEP) that covers visitors and transient workers is equally important. EverSafe can carry out an on-site assessment to identify your requirements.

Evacuation planning at height is a specialist area, and the requirements depend heavily on the nature of the structure. For crane operators or staff working on elevated platforms, your fire risk assessment must include a credible plan for evacuation in an emergency — including scenarios where a person becomes incapacitated. While standard evacuation chairs are designed for staircase use, EverSafe can advise on what equipment and procedures are appropriate for your specific site configuration, and ensure your teams are trained and confident.

This is a common question, and the answer depends on your lease arrangement. Typically, the building owner or managing agent is responsible for shared areas including stairwells, while individual tenants are responsible for their own staff. In practice, this means your employer has a duty to ensure your employees can evacuate safely — so if a member of your team has a mobility impairment, you may need your own evacuation chair and trained operators regardless of what the landlord provides. EverSafe can help you navigate this and ensure you’re covered.

Evacuation chairs aren’t explicitly named in UK law — but the legislation is clear that every person in your building must be able to evacuate safely. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on the “responsible person” to provide a means of evacuation for anyone with reduced mobility. If your fire risk assessment identifies that someone cannot self-evacuate via stairs, you are legally obligated to make practical arrangements — and an evacuation chair with trained operators is typically the most effective solution. Failing to do so could leave you in breach of both fire safety and equality law.

The Equality Act 2010 requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to avoid putting disabled people at a substantial disadvantage. In the context of a fire or emergency, being unable to exit a building safely is a very clear disadvantage. This means that having no evacuation provision for a disabled employee or visitor could be considered unlawful discrimination. Providing an evacuation chair and ensuring staff are trained to use it is a straightforward and reasonable adjustment that meets this obligation.

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is a bespoke escape plan created for an individual who may need assistance evacuating — for example, someone with a permanent or temporary mobility impairment. PEEPs document the agreed escape route, the equipment to be used, and the named person responsible for assisting. They should be reviewed regularly and tested through drills. The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 will make PEEPs mandatory in certain high-rise residential buildings from April 2026. For general premises, PEEPs remain best practice and are strongly recommended.

Standard passenger lifts must not be used for fire evacuation — they typically fail when a fire alarm activates or during a power cut. The only exception is a purpose-built evacuation lift, which is a specialist installation found in some larger or newer buildings. For all other multi-storey buildings, a staircase evacuation plan must be in place for people who cannot use stairs unaided, and an evacuation chair is the most widely used and practical solution. Your fire risk assessment should make this explicit.

The consequences can be serious. In the event of an incident, you could face prosecution under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with unlimited fines and potential imprisonment for the responsible person. You could also face discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010 and civil liability if someone is injured as a result of inadequate evacuation provision. Beyond the legal risk, the reputational and human cost of failing to protect someone in an emergency is significant. The good news is that getting the right provision in place is straightforward — and EverSafe is here to help you every step of the way.