Evacuation Legislation
Are you in compliance?
General Fire Precautions
If people in your building cannot self-evacuate, UK law expects you to plan for assisted escape. That typically includes a suitable means of evacuation (often an evacuation chair, also called an emergency stair chair) plus training, maintenance and documented procedures. Below are the KEY pieces of legislation to ensure you are compliant with UK safety regulations.
Health and Safety at Work Act
Equality Act 2010
The Medical Device Directive (Classification 1)
Health & Safety Offences Act
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
PUWER Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
BS9999 (Refer to Annexes G to S)
BS8300 (Design of Buildings to meet needs of disabled people)
Building Regulations Part M
Breakdown of The legislation
Since the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsibility for providing assisted evacuation from workplace premises, is that of the employer or building manager and not that of the Fire Service.
Regulatory Reform Order 2005
What it is: The core fire safety law for non-domestic premises in England and Wales.
What it means: The Responsible Person (employer, building owner, or managing agent) must ensure everyone can safely evacuate, including mobility-impaired occupants and visitors. Fire and Rescue Services are not responsible for removing people from your building.
What to do:Include assisted evacuation in your fire risk assessment.
Provide appropriate equipment (e.g., evacuation chairs) where stairs are a barrier.
Create building-specific Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).
Train enough staff to operate equipment safely.
Book your site survey • Evacuation chair training
Health and Safety at Work Act
What it is: The general duty to protect the health and safety of employees and others.
What it means: You must provide safe systems of work for emergency evacuation and protect staff who assist with evacuation.
What to do:Select equipment that reduces manual-handling risk on stairs.
Provide information, instruction, and training to staff.
Keep written procedures and rehearsal records.
Equality Act 2010
What it is: Prohibits disability discrimination and requires reasonable adjustments.
What it means: Failing to plan for the safe egress of disabled people can amount to discrimination.
What to do:Provide accessible evacuation solutions (e.g., emergency stair chairs).
Implement PEEPs and signage.
Ensure adjustments are practical and effective, not just “on paper”.
PUWER Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
What it is: Rules for safe equipment provided for use at work.
What it means: Evacuation chairs used by staff must be:Suitable for the task and environment.
Maintained in a safe condition, with inspections at appropriate intervals.
Used only by trained, competent people following instructions.
What to do:Keep a service log and pre-use checks.
Schedule annual servicing by competent engineers.
Book your evacuation chair service to ensure your equipment works when it needs to.