Evacuation Assistance Equipment for the Mobility Impaired

Evacuation Equipment for the Disabled & Elderly

Evacuation chairs, med sleds, and other devices for the mobility-impaired are essential for the safety of all building occupants. Multi-level building owners and managers have both a legal and moral responsibility to purchase and install evacuation equipment, educate tenants, and provide comprehensive emergency plans.

Most facilities have some form of plan—formal or informal—that may need review. Even after revising emergency plans, most still fail to account for the special needs of the disabled, elderly, and children. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), architectural barriers must be removed or redesigned to ensure access and safe emergency egress for all individuals.

Key considerations:

• Elevators are often inoperable during emergencies and are never safe exit routes.

• Stairwells and ladders can be difficult or impossible for mobility-impaired or elderly individuals without assistance.

• Communication barriers must be addressed: staff must know who requires evacuation assistance and how to use the proper routes and equipment safely.

There are numerous factors that determine the right plan and equipment for your facility. Consulting the ADA Emergency Preparation Guide is highly recommended. If your facility requires evacuation chairs, med sleds, rescue sheets, or other assistance devices, our consultants can help select the right equipment and provide the necessary training.

One of the key decisions is whether seated or supine (lying down face up) evacuation is needed.

Sitting vs Lying Evacuation

Safe evacuation of wheelchair users or mobility-impaired individuals in multi-level buildings requires proper equipment tailored to their needs.

Evacuation Chairs: Seated Evacuation Equipment

Evacuation Chairs
Evacuation chairs allow mobility-impaired individuals to remain seated during evacuation.

• Comfortable physically and emotionally, providing a “birds-eye view” of the path.

• Enables both horizontal (same level) and vertical (different level) evacuations.

• Specially designed chairs can traverse stairs; some can even ascend stairs—useful in flood-prone or multi-level buildings.

Training is essential to protect both assistants and evacuees. Chairs are designed to simplify movement, but proper operation is crucial.

Transit Chairs

• Designed for horizontal evacuations only.

• Do not navigate stairs.

• If the evacuee can transfer from a wheelchair, minimal assistant training is required.

Med Sleds & Rescue Sheets: Lying Evacuation Equipment

Medical Sleds

• Lower-tech than evacuation chairs.

• Selection depends on evacuee size, number of stairs, and availability of assistants.

Rescue Sheets

• Commonly used in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

• Installed beneath the mattress, with handles to evacuate the patient while still on the bed.

• Often the safest and most comfortable method for moving infirm or elderly individuals.

What Emergency Evacuation Aids Are Right for Your Facility?

Determining the right evacuation equipment is critical for occupant safety and to minimize moral and legal liability. Decisions must consider:

• Budget constraints

• Diversity of occupants and visitors

• Building architecture and emergency exit routes

We provide guidance to confidently select the right evacuation chairs, medical sleds, rescue sheets, or other devices your facility requires.