Common Evacuation Chair Mistakes Businesses Make
Over the years I’ve worked with businesses of all sizes, from small offices to large public buildings, and one thing has become clear: most organisations genuinely want to get their emergency evacuation arrangements right.
The good news is that many of the mistakes I come across are easy to avoid.
Some are obvious, while others only become apparent when I visit a site, carry out training or review existing arrangements.
Here are some of the most common evacuation chair mistakes I see and how you can avoid them.
1. Assuming an Evacuation Chair Is Needed Without an Assessment
One of the biggest mistakes is buying an evacuation chair before understanding whether it’s actually the right solution.
The starting point should always be your fire risk assessment, together with any Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs). These help identify who may require assistance and what type of support is appropriate.
👉 Read my blog: What Is a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)?
2. Assuming One Chair Is Suitable for Every Building
No two buildings are the same.
The number of floors, staircase design, building occupancy and the people who use the premises all influence whether a particular evacuation chair is suitable.
Choosing the right equipment is about matching the chair to the building—not simply buying the first model you find.
👉 Read my blog: How to Choose the Right Evacuation Chair for Your Building
3. Storing the Chair in the Wrong Place
This is one I see surprisingly often.
I’ve found evacuation chairs locked in cupboards, hidden behind stored equipment and even located on the wrong floor.
An evacuation chair should be easy for trained operators to locate and access quickly, without creating an obstruction on an escape route.
👉 Read my blog: Where Should an Evacuation Chair Be Stored?
4. Training Too Few People
Some organisations rely on one or two trained operators.
But what happens if they’re on holiday, off sick or working from another site?
It’s important to have enough trained people available to cover holidays, shift patterns and staff absence.
5. Treating Training as a One-Off Exercise
Initial training is only the beginning.
Like any practical skill, confidence fades if it isn’t refreshed.
Regular refresher training gives operators the opportunity to practise using the equipment safely and keeps emergency procedures fresh in their minds.
👉 Read my blog: How Often Should Evacuation Chair Training Be Refreshed?
6. Forgetting About Visitors
Many businesses focus on employees but overlook visitors, contractors and members of the public.
If someone unfamiliar with your building requires assistance during an evacuation, do your procedures explain how that support will be provided?
It’s worth reviewing your arrangements from a visitor’s perspective.
👉 I’ll cover this in a future blog: Evacuation Chairs for Visitors and Contractors. How Do You Plan for Them?
7. Assuming Everyone Needs an Evacuation Chair
An evacuation chair is one possible solution, but it isn’t the answer for everyone.
Some people may require assistance from a trained colleague, an alternative evacuation route or other adjustments identified through a PEEP.
The right arrangements should always be based on individual needs.
👉 Read my blog: Who May Need an Evacuation Chair?
8. Forgetting Routine Inspections and Maintenance
Like any safety equipment, evacuation chairs should be inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
I’ve occasionally visited sites where nobody could remember when the chair was last inspected or serviced.
Regular maintenance helps ensure the equipment is ready if it’s ever needed.
👉 I’ll cover this in a future blog: How to maintain an evacuation chair
9. Not Practising the Plan
Emergency procedures should never exist only on paper.
Fire drills and practical exercises are valuable opportunities to identify problems before an emergency occurs.
I’ve often found that a simple practice session highlights issues that had never been considered before.
10. Thinking “It Won’t Happen Here”
This is perhaps the biggest mistake of all.
Most businesses will never need to use an evacuation chair in a real emergency.
That’s exactly why it’s easy for training, maintenance and planning to slip down the priority list.
The purpose of good emergency planning isn’t to expect the worst; it’s to be prepared if the unexpected happens.
A Few Simple Checks Can Make a Big Difference
Most of these mistakes aren’t caused by negligence. They’re simply things that get overlooked over time.
Taking a few moments to review your arrangements can make a significant difference to your organisation’s emergency preparedness.
Ask yourself:
Is the right evacuation equipment available?
Is it stored where trained operators can reach it quickly?
Are enough people trained to use it?
Has refresher training been carried out?
Are maintenance records up to date?
Have you considered employees, visitors and contractors?
If you can answer “yes” to each of these questions, you’re already a long way towards creating a safer workplace.
If you’re unsure about any aspect of your evacuation arrangements, I’m always happy to offer practical advice based on many years of working with organisations across a wide range of sectors.
You can also download our Evacuation Chair Readiness Check document.
