EVAC+CHAIR Emergency Evacuation Chairs and Stair Climbers
When there is an alarm, the elevators stop functioning. This one thing alone has created a scenario where many buildings have failed to address properly, leaving those individuals who are unable to go up and down using stairs alone to wait for help, which can be long overdue. EVAC+CHAIR has developed equipment especially for such a scenario, enabling an operator to transport a person down the stairs in a controlled descent. MediDepot has seven types of EVAC+CHAIR products, including stair chairs, evacuation wheelchair, and stair climbers.
Range is important since buildings vary. An office building with four floors and less occupants is different from a hospital transporting people who can’t walk and an office where they need the chair to ascend and descend. Having the three types available in the same brand gives the safety officer the option to choose depending on how he wants his evacuation plan to be.
Buildings and Organizations That Need This Equipment
Evacuation chairs serve any multi-story facility with occupants who cannot self-evacuate via stairs. This collection is a fit for:
- Hospitals, clinics, and medical office buildings
- Long-term care, assisted living, and senior living facilities
- Office buildings and corporate campuses
- Schools, universities, and student housing
- Hotels, conference centers, and public venues
- Manufacturing plants and warehouses with elevated work areas
- Facilities managers building ADA-aligned emergency evacuation plans
The Seven Models in This Range
MediDepot’s EVAC+CHAIR collection splits into three functional groups.
Manual Emergency Stair Chairs The core of the line, designed for controlled descent operated by trained staff. The 1-300H Emergency Stair Chair 300H is the entry model in the range. These are followed by the 1-400H Emergency Stair Chair 400H and 1-500H Emergency Stair Chair 500H, while the 1-750 Emergency Evacuation Chair 750H takes the lead among the manual devices.
Emergency Evacuation Wheelchair The 1-600H Emergency Evacuation Wheelchair 600H is designed in such a way that it is more of a wheelchair than a straight stair chair and thus may prove to be ideal in facilities where not only stair evacuation but overall transportation is required as well.
Battery-Powered Stair Climbers Two powered stair climbers take away the burden on the operator and the ability to climb stairs as well as descend. The Power 800 (Model 1-800) is a battery-powered stair climber, while the POWER 900 is a 4-speed electric & battery-powered stair climber and stands at the top of the product line.
Manual Chairs Compared to Powered Climbers
| Factor | Manual Stair Chairs | Battery-Powered Climbers |
|---|---|---|
| Models here | 300H, 400H, 500H, 600H, 750H | Power 800, POWER 900 |
| Direction of travel | Controlled descent | Descent and ascent |
| Operator effort | Operator guides and controls the descent | Motor carries the load |
| Power requirement | None | Battery, requires charge management |
| Speed control | Operator-controlled | POWER 900 offers 4 speeds |
| Readiness checks | Visual and mechanical inspection | Inspection plus battery charge verification |
| Typical price position | Lower | Higher |
Choosing the Right Configuration
Selecting an evacuation chair comes down to who will operate it, which direction it needs to travel, and how the building is laid out.
- Descent only or ascent too. Manual chairs are built for controlled descent. If your plan requires bringing someone up stairs, or moving between levels in both directions, a powered stair climber is the relevant category.
- Operator availability and training. Manual chairs depend on a trained operator managing the descent. Powered climbers reduce the physical demand, which matters where staff may be smaller in stature or where the evacuee is heavier.
- Dual-use requirements. The 600H evacuation wheelchair format suits facilities that want a unit that also functions for routine transport rather than sitting sealed in a stairwell cabinet.
- Number of units and placement. Evacuation equipment is only useful if it is near the stairwell where it will be needed. Multi-story buildings typically place units on each floor or at designated refuge areas rather than keeping one in a central store.
- Stairwell dimensions. Confirm the chair’s footprint and turning requirements against your actual stairwell width and landing configuration, particularly in older buildings with tight switchback stairs.
- Battery management for powered units. The Power 800 and POWER 900 require a charging routine and periodic verification that the battery holds charge, which should be written into your facility’s inspection schedule.
Specifications and Readiness Considerations
EVAC+CHAIR products in this collection are emergency egress equipment intended for use by trained operators. Documented details available on the collection page include:
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product type | Evacuation chairs (all 7 units) |
| Manual models | 1-300H, 1-400H, 1-500H, 1-600H, 1-750 |
| Powered models | 1-800 Power 800, POWER 900 |
| POWER 900 speeds | 4 speed settings |
| Power source on powered units | Electric and battery |
| Format variation | Stair chair, evacuation wheelchair, stair climber |
Buyers should confirm weight capacity, unit dimensions, operator training requirements, and applicable local fire and building code obligations directly on each product page and with their own authority having jurisdiction. MediDepot does not represent that any unit satisfies a specific building’s fire code, ADA, or life safety requirements. Evacuation equipment should only be operated by trained personnel, and facilities should establish documented training and inspection routines before relying on any device in an emergency plan.
Building an Evacuation Equipment Program
Evacuation chairs are among the few purchases where the equipment may sit unused for years and then have to work perfectly on the first attempt.
- Place units where they will actually be used. Equipment stored in a basement supply room is not part of a workable evacuation plan. Mount units at stairwell landings or designated refuge areas on each relevant floor.
- Budget for training, not just hardware. The chair is only as effective as the staff trained to deploy it, and turnover means training is recurring rather than one-time.
- Write inspection into your routine. Add visual inspection and, for powered units, battery verification to your existing fire equipment inspection schedule.
- Match unit count to occupancy. A single chair rarely covers a large multi-story building. Assess how many mobility-impaired occupants could need assistance simultaneously.
- Coordinate with your fire safety plan. Equipment selection should follow from your written evacuation procedure and refuge area designations rather than being decided independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a manual stair chair and a powered stair climber?
The 300H, 400H, 500H, and 750H are manual stair chairs that are meant to descend the stairs with the help of an operator controlling the chair down the stairs. The Power 800 and the POWER 900 stair climbers are powered by a battery, and they make use of a motor to move the load up or down the stairs.
Can these chairs be used to go up stairs?
Manual models in this collection are built for controlled descent. If your evacuation plan or facility requires moving a person up stairs, the battery-powered stair climbers are the relevant option. Confirm ascent capability and any operational limits on the specific product page.
How is the 600H evacuation wheelchair different from the stair chairs?
The 1-600H is configured as an emergency evacuation wheelchair rather than a dedicated stair chair, which gives facilities a unit that can also serve general transport needs. Facilities focused purely on stairwell descent often choose a dedicated stair chair instead.
Does the POWER 900 have adjustable speed?
Yes. The POWER 900 is listed as a four-speed electric and battery-powered stair climber, allowing the operator to select a descent or ascent speed appropriate to the stairwell and the situation.
How many evacuation chairs does a building need?
That depends on building height, occupancy, the number of stairwells, and how many occupants could require assistance at the same time. Most multi-story facilities place units at stairwell landings or refuge areas on each relevant floor rather than relying on a single unit. Your local fire code authority and fire safety plan should guide the count.
Do staff need training to use an evacuation chair?
Yes. These are emergency egress devices intended for operation by trained personnel. Facilities should establish documented training for designated staff and refresh it as personnel change, alongside a routine inspection schedule for the equipment itself.
Plan Your Building’s Evacuation Equipment
Because unit placement, count, and manual-versus-powered selection all follow from your written evacuation plan, it is worth reviewing those details before ordering. MediDepot offers Medical Equipment Financing to help spread the cost of equipping multiple floors or buildings, along with a Price Match Guarantee so you can order with confidence. Extended Warranty coverage is available on eligible equipment for facilities that want protection beyond standard manufacturer terms, and a Military Discount is available for qualifying buyers. Browse the full EVAC+CHAIR collection above, or contact the MediDepot team to discuss coverage for your facility.