What is the option for mobility impaired persons?

If Elevators Are Prohibited During Emergencies, What Option Do Mobility impaired Persons Have?

• In high-rise buildings, hospitals, offices, malls, airports, and even residential complexes, evacuation strategies often prioritize the majority. However, individuals who use wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, or those with age-related limitations are often left behind or put at severe risk due to inadequate evacuation planning. Relying on manual lifting or waiting for emergency responders is not only dangerous but also undermines the very essence of inclusive design and safety for all.
• Tragic incidents from across the world underscore this concern. During the Grenfell Tower fire in London (2017), 72 lives were lost, with multiple reports indicating that mobility-impaired residents had no safe or timely means of evacuation. In New York City, a woman with a disability perished in her apartment during a fire in 2019 because evacuation was not possible without elevator access. In India, during the Carlton Towers fire in Bangalore (2010), several occupants were trapped on upper floors, and those with limited mobility had little chance of survival.
• These heart-wrenching cases are not exceptions—they are warnings. When we fail to plan for the most vulnerable, the entire emergency response system is compromised.

The Lifeline Evacuation Chair : A Life-saving Solution.

• The answer lies in a simple yet transformative piece of safety equipment: the evacuation chair. Designed specifically to move individuals with limited mobility safely down staircases, evacuation chairs are a must-have in any multi-storey building.
• Evacuation chairs are lightweight, foldable, and can be operated by a single person. They glide smoothly down stairs through frictioncontrolled tracks or wheels, minimizing physical effort while ensuring stability. These chairs are particularly essential during fires, as they allow swift evacuation through stairwells without relying on mechanical systems.
• Their inclusion in emergency preparedness plans not only safeguards vulnerable occupants but also aligns with modern global safety standards. In the UK, US, and parts of the Middle East, building codes increasingly recommend or mandate evacuation chairs in public and commercial buildings.
• For instance, UAE's Fire and Life Safety Code emphasizes the need for clear evacuation strategies for all occupants, including persons with disabilities. The Dubai Civil Defence requires accessible egress solutions and often audits buildings for compliance with inclusive evacuation protocols.
• In India, the National Building Code (NBC) 2016 and its upcoming NBC 2025 draft include guidelines for the evacuation of persons with disabilities. It refers to IS 4963 for stair safety and IS 15330 for fire safety in public buildings, indirectly supporting the need for evacuation aids like chairs. Furthermore, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates accessibility in all public infrastructure, reinforcing the importance of inclusive emergency solutions.
• Yet, awareness remains alarmingly low. Many building owners, facility managers, and even safety officers remain unaware of the legal, moral, and practical necessity of installing evacuation chairs on every floor.

Making Every Building Occupant friendly :

• To create truly occupant-friendly buildings, evacuation chairs must be treated not as optional accessories but as essential life-saving tools.
• Imagine a hospital during a fire evacuation, where patients are unable to walk. Or an office building where a pregnant woman on bed rest, or an elderly visitor using a walker, must be guided to safety. In these scenarios, time is of the essence. Having an evacuation chair readily accessible can mean the difference between life and death.
• Furthermore, regular fire drills must include mock evacuations using these chairs. Staff must be trained to operate them with confidence and speed. Signage, storage locations, and maintenance routines should be clearly defined and periodically reviewed.
• Furthermore, regular fire drills must include mock evacuations using these chairs. Staff must be trained to operate them with confidence and speed. Signage, storage locations, and maintenance routines should be clearly defined and periodically reviewed.
• Occupants, tenants, and employees must become active participants in building safety conversations. It is well within their rights to demand the presence of evacuation chairs, just as they expect fire extinguishers or smoke detectors. Speaking up during safety reviews or emergency preparedness meetings can influence decision-makers to prioritize inclusive safety equipment.
• If you or your loved ones fall under the category of individuals who might need assistance during evacuation, take action today. Talk to your building management, write to your housing society, or raise the issue in your workplace. Collective awareness and demand will drive faster adoption and ensure that no one is ever left behind in times of crisis.
• Furthermore, regular fire drills must include mock evacuations using these chairs. Staff must be trained to operate them with confidence and speed. Signage, storage locations, and maintenance routines should be clearly defined and periodically reviewed.
• The responsibility lies with architects, builders, facility managers, and business owners to integrate evacuation chairs as part of their core emergency planning. It is also vital for national safety codes to elevate their status from 'recommended' to 'required.'
• Occupants, tenants, and employees must become active participants in building safety conversations. It is well within their rights to demand the presence of evacuation chairs, just as they expect fire extinguishers or smoke detectors. Speaking up during safety reviews or emergency preparedness meetings can influence decision-makers to prioritize inclusive safety equipment.
• If you or your loved ones fall under the category of individuals who might need assistance during evacuation, take action today. Talk to your building management, write to your housing society, or raise the issue in your workplace. Collective awareness and demand will drive faster adoption and ensure that no one is ever left behind in times of crisis.

Life Safety Is A Right, Not A Privilege,

Do not use elevators during emergencies" remains non-negotiable, it is important to recognize that the ability to evacuate safely is a fundamental human right. Every individual, regardless of physical ability, deserves equal protection and access to life-saving means during emergencies. Governments, developers, and communities must act in unison to make this a reality. The responsibility to uphold this right goes beyond compliance—it is a moral duty that reflects the values of an inclusive and compassionate society.

The presence of evacuation chairs ensures that no one is left behind. Life safety is a right, not a privilege, and evacuation chairs are a step towards making that right accessible to all.

About the Author :

K.P. Dominic is a seasoned expert in Fire, Life Safety, and Infrastructure Protection, with over 36 years of industry leadership. He is the Founder of organizations like NFE, FOCUS, and FSAI and actively contributes to shaping India's fire safety codes through the National Building Code committees.

Dominic champions affordable evacuation solutions to ensure no one is left behind during emergencies. His mission is simple: Safer buildings. Inclusive evacuation. Better lives.