Emergency Evacuation For Upper Levels
Getting to and from upper levels of a building is usually no problem for people with limited mobility, or those who use wheelchairs, because they just use the elevators. Most of the time, that works well, but some emergencies render elevators inoperable. Every elevator has a sign near it that indicates not to use it in case of fire. Power outages, fires, and electrical malfunctions mean the elevators cannot be utilized by anyone. At that point, the only egress is via the stairs. Wheelchair users cannot maneuver the staircase quickly and safely, and neither can many other people.
An emergency stair chair, that can be utilized with the assistance of only one other person, is available for those occasions. One such chair comes in three models, is of high quality, and has a lower cost than other emergency evacuation chairs. All models are made of lightweight material and come with a wall bracket and a protective cover. They only need the assistance of one person because they pivot well and are easy to maneuver down stairs. The basic model holds up to 363 pounds and features safety straps, a padded seat, and a backrest. The middle model includes a five point safety harness and a patented brake system for better control and added stability. The top model can hold up to 500 pounds and has wheel locking brakes.
There are many people, besides those in wheelchairs, who would benefit from the use an emergency chair in the event of an emergency. People with limited mobility would need help to quickly get down stairs. That includes the elderly, people who are blind, those on crutches or in a cast, people with respiratory issues, and some pregnant women. It can also include people with emotional or cognitive challenges, people on certain medications, and those who panic.
In short, anyone at any given point may need assistance safely navigating flights of stairs in an emergency situation. Teenagers who play football in high school would need assistance, if they were recovering from an injury. The neighbor may need help, if recovering from surgery or an illness. Having evacuation chairs available on upper levels ensures that everyone has the opportunity to safely leave the building when elevators are not working.
