How Often Should Evacuation Chair Training Be Refreshed?
An evacuation chair is only effective if the people using it have the confidence and competence to operate it safely during an emergency.
Many organisations invest in evacuation chairs and provide initial operator training but then overlook the importance of regular refresher training. Like any practical skill, evacuation chair operation can deteriorate over time if it is not practised.
If your emergency evacuation plan relies on trained operators, keeping their knowledge and practical skills up to date is just as important as maintaining the equipment itself.
Is Refresher Training a Legal Requirement?
There is no specific UK law that states evacuation chair training must be refreshed every set number of months or years.
However, employers and Responsible Persons have legal duties under legislation such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure people can be evacuated safely during an emergency.
If your fire risk assessment or a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) identifies that an evacuation chair forms part of your emergency arrangements, you should ensure that those expected to use it remain competent to do so.
Competence is not something that can simply be assumed because training was completed several years ago.
Why Skills Fade
Using an evacuation chair is a practical skill that most operators hope they will never have to use in a real emergency.
Unlike everyday workplace activities, the operation of an evacuation chair is rarely practised outside training sessions. Over time, people can forget:
the correct operating procedure
how to prepare the chair
communication techniques with the person being evacuated
safe handling on staircases
how to work effectively as part of a team
what to do if circumstances change during the evacuation
Regular refresher training helps rebuild confidence and ensures operators remain familiar with the equipment before an emergency occurs.
When Should Refresher Training Be Carried Out?
There is no universal refresher interval that applies to every organisation.
The appropriate frequency will depend on factors such as:
the level of risk within the premises
staff turnover
changes to the building layout
changes to evacuation procedures
how often evacuation arrangements are practised
whether different models of evacuation chair are introduced
Many organisations choose to refresh operator training every two to three years as part of their wider fire safety programme. However, higher-risk environments or organisations with frequent staff changes may benefit from more regular refresher sessions.
Training should also be reviewed whenever there are significant changes to evacuation arrangements or following any incident, near miss or fire drill that identifies areas for improvement.
Practical Exercises Matter
Reading an evacuation procedure is not the same as using an evacuation chair.
Good refresher training should include practical exercises that allow operators to:
safely deploy the chair
transfer a person into the chair correctly
communicate throughout the evacuation
negotiate staircases safely
understand their individual responsibilities
work confidently with another trained operator where appropriate
Practical experience helps reinforce learning and gives staff greater confidence should they ever need to use the equipment in a real emergency.
Keep Training Records Up to Date
As with any workplace safety training, organisations should maintain accurate training records.
These records may include:
names of trained operators
training dates
refresher dates
equipment used during training
the training provider
competency assessments where applicable
Maintaining accurate records makes it easier to schedule refresher training and demonstrate that suitable arrangements are in place as part of your overall fire safety management.
Common Mistakes
Some of the most common issues organisations encounter include:
Assuming One Training Session Lasts Forever
Without regular practice, confidence and practical skills naturally decline. Operators who completed training several years ago may no longer feel comfortable using the equipment during a real emergency.
Training Too Few People
Emergency arrangements should not rely on one or two individuals. Holidays, sickness, shift patterns and staff turnover should all be considered when deciding how many people require training.
Forgetting New Employees
Where staff leave or new employees take on fire safety responsibilities, training arrangements should be reviewed to ensure there are always enough competent operators available.
Treating Training as a Tick-Box Exercise
The purpose of training is to prepare people for a real emergency, not simply to satisfy a policy requirement. Practical, hands-on training gives operators the confidence to respond calmly and safely if the need ever arises.
A Key Part of Your Fire Safety Strategy
An evacuation chair is only one part of an effective emergency evacuation plan. Its effectiveness depends on having appropriately trained people who understand how and when to use it.
Regular refresher training helps maintain competence, reinforces good practice and provides an opportunity to review evacuation procedures as buildings, staff and organisational needs change.
By keeping operators' skills up to date and maintaining accurate training records, businesses can be better prepared to assist people who may need support during an emergency evacuation.
