A chair nobody can use won't help
In an emergency there's no time to read instructions. Staff need to have practised before they need to do it for real.
Evac chair training
On-site evacuation chair training for your staff
Practical training that gives your staff the confidence to use your evacuation chairs safely in an emergency, delivered at your building, on your stairs, with your chairs.
- On site, on your own stairs
- Practical, hands-on for every trainee
- Covers all major evac chair makes
- Record of training for your fire file
From £450 + VAT per on-site session
- 40+ years' experienceServicing for the NHS and private sector
- All makes and modelsMulti-brand engineers, authentic parts
- Full electronic reportsAn audit trail for every asset, every visit
- DBS-checked engineersUniformed, ID-carrying and fully trained
Why training matters
Evacuation chairs only work in trained hands
An evacuation chair can get someone who can't use the stairs out of a building safely, as long as the person operating it knows how.
Training is a legal duty
The Fire Safety Order requires the responsible person to give staff adequate safety training, including on the equipment in their evacuation plan.
Skills fade without practice
Refresher training keeps staff confident, and covers people who've joined since the last session.
Why evacuation chair training is needed
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must make sure everyone can get out of the building safely, and must give staff adequate safety training. If your evacuation plan, or a resident's or employee's personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP), relies on an evacuation chair, the staff expected to use it need to be trained. An untrained operator on a staircase puts both people at risk.
Practical training on your own stairs
Every session is delivered at your building. Trainees practise on the stairs they'd actually use, with the chairs you actually have. That means they learn how the chair handles on your landings and turns, where the chair is stored and how to get it into position, not just how it works in a classroom.
Sessions combine a short explanation of the theory with plenty of hands-on practice, so every trainee operates the chair themselves, both as an operator and, where appropriate, as a passenger.
Who it's for
- Care homes and nursing homes with residents on upper floors
- Offices, shops and public buildings with staff or visitors who may need help on the stairs
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries
- Airports, stations, venues and visitor attractions
Refresher training and records
Skills fade if they aren't used. Most organisations refresh evac chair training at least once a year, and train new starters as they join. Every attendee is recorded, so you have evidence of training for your fire risk assessment and fire safety file.
Training and servicing together
An evacuation chair also needs regular maintenance under the Fire Safety Order and PUWER. We can service your evacuation chairs on the same visit as the training, so the chairs your staff practise on are checked and ready for use.
Evac chair training in Hampshire and across the UK
From our base in Lee-on-the-Solent we deliver training across Portsmouth, Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, Winchester, Basingstoke and the Isle of Wight, as well as West Sussex and Dorset, and for organisations across the UK.
How it works
From first call to compliant equipment
- 1
Free on-site survey
We visit, audit your equipment and asset numbers, and look for savings against your current supplier.
- 2
Clear, itemised quote
A quote for exactly the equipment and service frequency you need. No hidden costs and no minimum number of assets.
- 3
Scheduled visits
Quarterly, six-monthly or annual visits. Engineers carry spare parts so most faults are fixed first time.
- 4
Reports and asset records
Every item barcoded and logged, with a full electronic report after each visit, ready for audits and inspections.
Also from Shepherd
One supplier for all your equipment
Evacuation Chair Servicing
Annual evac chair servicing for care homes, hospitals, offices, schools and airports. All major makes, fire safety records. From £110 + VAT a chair.
Find out moreEquipment Supply
Care home equipment supplier for profiling beds, mattresses, hoists, slings, stand aids and chairs, with servicing and after-sales support. UK-wide.
Find out morePUWER Inspections
PUWER inspections for wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, trolleys and other care equipment not covered by LOLER. From £35 + VAT per item.
Find out moreFAQs
Evac chair training FAQs
Is evacuation chair training a legal requirement?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to give staff adequate safety training. If your evacuation plan relies on evacuation chairs, the people expected to use them need to be trained to do so safely.
How much does evacuation chair training cost?
On-site training starts from £450 + VAT per session. The price depends on the number of trainees and sessions. You'll get a clear quote first.
How often should evac chair training be refreshed?
Most organisations refresh training at least once a year, and train new staff as they join. Regular practice keeps operators confident.
Do you train on our own evacuation chairs?
Yes. Training takes place at your building, on your stairs, using the chairs you have, so staff learn exactly how they'll be used in an emergency.
Can you service our chairs on the same day?
Yes. We can service and check your evacuation chairs on the same visit as the training.
Keep every bed, hoist and chair safe, compliant and working
Book a free on-site survey or talk to our team about servicing, LOLER inspections, repairs and equipment supply.