Evacuation chairs allow staff to move people with reduced mobility down stairways when lifts cannot be used in an emergency. We supply Exitmaster and other proven ranges to hospitals, nursing homes, disability services and commercial buildings across Ireland. Selection depends on your stairways, your staffing levels and your residents' or occupants' needs — if you are unsure which model suits your building, ask us before you buy. Staff training and instructor courses are available through Phoenix STS.
Evacuation Chairs Ireland
Safety Equipment Ireland supplies stair evacuation chairs, powered stair chairs and matching accessories to workplaces, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and public buildings across Ireland. We stock Exitmaster and Spencer evacuation chairs, along with the wall brackets, covers, floor stands, storage cabinets and signage that go with them.
We do not display prices online. Every chair is supplied on a quotation basis, so the sales team can confirm the right model for your stairs, your users and your evacuation plan before you commit. Call 043 3349611 or email [email protected] to request a quotation.
safetyequipment.ie is owned and operated by Phoenix STS, the fire safety and health and safety consultancy and training provider, so the advice behind each quotation comes from people who train evacuation teams for a living.
Who needs an evacuation chair?
An evacuation chair lets a trained operator bring a person who cannot use stairs unaided down a staircase when the lifts are out of use. If your building has more than one storey and is used by people with reduced mobility, you need a workable plan for getting them out.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must prepare adequate plans and procedures to be followed in an emergency. In plain terms, if someone in your building cannot manage the stairs, your emergency plan has to set out exactly how they will get out and with what equipment.
The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 place a general duty on persons in control of premises to take reasonable measures to guard against fire and to ensure the safety of people on the premises. In practice, that means providing a realistic means of escape for everyone in the building, not only those who can walk downstairs.
Anyone who cannot evacuate unaided should also have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) recording the route, the equipment and the trained people who will operate it. Evacuation chairs are the most common PEEP equipment in commercial buildings, schools, hospitals and nursing homes.
How to choose an evacuation chair
Start with the building: the number of stair flights, the width of the stairs and landings, and where the chair can be stored close to the escape route. Then consider the operators. The Exitmaster Versa range and eGo use an upright four wheel design that one operator can load and move.
Next consider the people who may use it: weight capacity varies by model and is listed on each product page, and some situations call for ascent as well as descent, which the Spencer Skid-E is designed for. Finally, list the accessories you need, such as wall brackets, covers, floor stands and signage.
For a fuller walkthrough of these decisions, read our evacuation chair buying guide. If you are replacing an existing chair, include the current model and any mounting details in your enquiry.
Evacuation chair brands we stock
Exitmaster - the Versa, Versa Plus, Versa Elite, eGo and Original evacuation chairs, plus floor stands, covers, a storage cabinet and wall signs.
Spencer - the 4Bell stair and transport chair range, the Skid chairs including the Skid-E, and matching mounting systems and covers.
Popular evacuation chairs
Versa Evacuation Chair - Exitmaster's flagship chair, an upright four wheel design that a single operator can load and move.
Versa Elite Evacuation Chair - the premium Versa model, with extra handles for corridor movement and enhanced passenger comfort.
eGo Evacuation Chair - a budget friendly upright four wheel chair with the same single operator design.
Spencer 4Bell Stair+ - a folding stair and transport chair designed for patient movement in healthcare facilities and ambulance services.
Spencer Skid-E - a lightweight stair chair designed for both the descent and the ascent of mobility impaired people during an emergency.
Operator training
An evacuation chair only works if someone on every shift can use it confidently. Phoenix STS runs a dedicated evacuation chair training course for workplaces, schools and healthcare settings across Ireland, and can train your evacuation team on the exact model you buy.
Evacuation chair FAQs
Who is legally required to provide an evacuation chair?
No Irish law names evacuation chairs specifically. The duty comes from the emergency planning requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the general duty under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. If a risk assessment or PEEP identifies someone who cannot use the stairs, you must provide a workable way to evacuate them, and a chair is the most common answer.
How do I choose the right evacuation chair for my building?
Match the chair to the stairs, the people who may need it, the operators available and the storage point near the escape route. Share those details and the sales team will recommend suitable models before quoting.
What weight capacity do evacuation chairs have?
Capacity varies by model. Each product page lists the manufacturer's stated load capacity, and the team will confirm suitability before quotation. If you need to plan for heavier users, say so in the enquiry.
Do staff need training to use an evacuation chair?
Yes. Operators should be trained on the specific model in your building and should practise regularly. Phoenix STS delivers evacuation chair operator training nationwide and can include it in your quotation.
How does the enquiry process work?
There are no online prices. Send the product names, quantities, delivery location and any building details by phone, email or the contact form, and the sales team replies with a quotation and any suitability questions.
Can I order wall brackets, covers and signage with the chair?
Yes. This category includes wall mounts, fitted covers, floor stands, a storage cabinet and evacuation chair wall signs. Ask for them in the same enquiry so everything arrives together.
Request a quotation
Call 043 3349611 or email [email protected] with the product names, quantities and delivery location. You can also send the same details through the contact page.