A critical part of emergency planning, choosing the right Evacuation Chair is not simply a purchasing decision. It is a critical part of ensuring people can safely evacuate a building when lifts are unavailable, stairs become the only exit route, or an emergency becomes time-critical. Evacuation planning is recognised as an essential component of workplace health and safety, disability inclusion, emergency management and compliance obligations. Evacuation chairs are internationally recognised as one of the most suitable solutions when supporting people who cannot use stairs independently during an emergency.
The difficulty many organisations face is determining which evacuation chair best suits their environment. Hospitals, schools, offices, stadiums, Specialist Disability Accommodation, aged care facilities and commercial buildings all face different risks and operational requirements. The right solution depends on the building, the occupants and the level of assistance likely to be required during an evacuation.
Understanding Your Evacuation Needs
When considering evacuation equipment, it is important to understand the people who may need assistance. Emergency evacuation planning should especially consider people with mobility impairments, respiratory conditions, cardiac conditions, temporary injuries, pregnancy, age-related reduced mobility, and other circumstances that may affect a person’s ability to use stairs. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, commonly known as PEEPs, are increasingly being developed to ensure no one is left behind during an emergency.
The best evacuation chair is the one that aligns with your building’s evacuation strategy, available operators, stair configuration and occupant needs.
EvacuLife Escape: The Practical Entry-Level Solution
For many organisations, the EvacuLife Escape represents an excellent starting point. Designed specifically for safe stair descent, it features a friction-controlled belted track system that allows a single operator to move an individual down stairs in a controlled manner without heavy lifting. With a 160kg safe working load and lightweight 11.5kg aluminium frame, it is easy to store, simple to deploy and suitable for a wide range of environments.
The Escape is particularly well-suited to offices, schools, aged care facilities, hotels and multi-storey commercial buildings where the primary requirement is downward evacuation during an emergency. For organisations seeking a reliable, cost-effective evacuation capability without advanced ascent features, the Escape II offers outstanding value and simplicity. Learn more
EvacuLife Carry: When Upward Movement Is Also Required
Some environments require more flexibility than a traditional evacuation chair can provide. The EvacuLife Carry builds on the Escape platform by incorporating additional foldable carry handles that enable trained operators to transport individuals both down and up stairs when necessary. The chair maintains a safe working load of 160 kg and uses the same controlled-descent track technology.
This makes the Carry particularly valuable in hospitals, healthcare facilities, aged care settings, schools and workplaces where occupants may need to be relocated between levels during a non-fire emergency. Buildings with complex layouts, split levels or situations where an individual may need to be moved upward to access an area of refuge can particularly benefit from this additional capability.
EvacuLife Elite: The Premium All-Round Performer
For many organisations seeking the most versatile manual evacuation chair, the EvacuLife Elite is often the preferred choice. Designed for both ascent and descent, it incorporates integrated front carry handles, a four-point harness to support with reduced trunk control, an adjustable head restraint, a fold-up footrest, and four-wheel mobility. At just 16kg, it remains lightweight while offering enhanced occupant security and operator control.
The Elite has become a popular solution for Specialist Disability Accommodation SDA, healthcare facilities, schools, tertiary institutions, stadiums, theatres, hotels and other complex environments where a wide range of evacuation scenarios may need to be addressed. Its ability to be operated by a single person for descent and by two operators for ascent delivers flexibility that many organisations value when developing comprehensive emergency management strategies.
If you are looking for a premium evacuation chair that balances functionality, occupant comfort and operational flexibility, the Elite is arguably the most adaptable solution within the EvacuLife range.
EvacuLife Pro: The Heavy-Duty and Bariatric Solution
Not every evacuation requirement can be addressed by a standard evacuation chair. Facilities supporting larger occupants, or those where higher load capacities are essential, require a specialised solution.
The EvacuLife Pro has been engineered specifically for these situations. With a substantial 220kg safe working load, reinforced aluminium frame, telescopic lift handles and heavy-duty construction, it is designed for controlled evacuation in demanding environments. The chair is intended for use by teams of two to four personnel and can be used for both stair ascent and descent.
The Pro is particularly suited to hospitals, bariatric Specialist Disability Accommodation, industrial workplaces, correctional facilities, stadiums and large public venues. Organisations that need confidence in accommodating a broader range of occupants will appreciate the additional capacity and reinforced design.
EvacuLife Power: The Ultimate Motorised Solution
Where manual handling risks are a concern or frequent vertical transportation is required, a powered evacuation solution may be the most appropriate choice.
The EvacuLife Power Motorised Stair Climber uses an electronically controlled motor and direct drive transmission to transport people safely both up and down stairs. With intuitive push-button controls, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and the ability to travel up to 20 flights of stairs per charge, it significantly reduces the physical demands placed on operators.
The Power is particularly valuable in aged care facilities, hospitals, multi-level residential buildings, schools, workplaces and any facility where lift failures may create significant accessibility challenges. EvacuLife’s guidance highlights that lift breakdowns can effectively strand people with mobility impairments, making a powered stair climber an important contingency measure for many organisations.
For organisations seeking the highest level of operator assistance, occupant comfort and day-to-day versatility, the Power represents the premium end of the market.
Making the Right Choice
There is no single evacuation chair that is perfect for every situation. The Escape is an excellent entry-level stair descent chair. The Carry adds the flexibility of upward transport. The Elite offers premium versatility for most commercial environments. The Pro delivers heavy-duty bariatric capability, while the Power provides motorised control for the most demanding applications.
The most effective emergency evacuation strategy combines appropriate equipment with staff training, emergency procedures and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans. When these elements work together, organisations can provide safer outcomes for staff, visitors, residents and members of the public who may require assistance during an emergency.
Ultimately, the question is not simply which evacuation chair you should purchase. The real question is whether your building is prepared to safely evacuate everyone inside in the event of an emergency. Talk to us to discuss your needs and allow us to advise which EvacuLife solution can provide the confidence that no one will be left behind.
