Why Every School and University Needs to Rethink Their Evacuation Strategy

We have the right equipment so that students don’t have to get out of their chairs – a must for any evacuation strategy.

For years, Evaccess has been at the forefront of inclusive evacuation – supporting schools, universities, and public institutions with equipment and expertise that ensures all individuals, including wheelchair users, can exit safely during an emergency. And yet, across the UK, far too many education settings remain critically unprepared with little or no evacuation strategy.

Despite growing awareness, many schools and universities still lack the right evacuation equipment, putting students with mobility needs at risk and exposing institutions to serious safeguarding and legal consequences

 The Safeguarding Blind Spot in Fire Safety

When fire alarms sound, most evacuation plans still rely on the assumption that everyone can navigate stairs or walk unaided. For students who use wheelchairs, this is not just impractical – it’s dangerous.

The latest shift in government fire safety policy, moving responsibility from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), signals a broader move toward unified and inclusive safety standards. But unless schools and universities act now to make their evacuation strategies genuinely accessible, they’ll be left behind and potentially liable.

 Evacuation is not just a logistical concern; it’s a safeguarding issue. And it’s time it was treated as such.

Students Deserve Dignity – Not Lifting

In far too many institutions, outdated approaches still involve lifting wheelchair users or requiring them to transfer out of their chairs. These solutions are not only undignified- they’re often unsafe and do not form part of a coherent evacuation strategy.

That’s why Evaccess champions equipment that enables users to evacuate without leaving their own wheelchair. Solutions like the LG2004 T-Lift and Super-Trac TRE-70 mean students don’t have to be transferred, lifted, or left behind.

Our view is simple: If your fire strategy can’t evacuate a wheelchair user with speed, dignity, and safety, then it isn’t fit for purpose.

Evaccess: Trusted Advisors for Inclusive Evacuation

At Evaccess, we specialise in evacuation solutions that are designed for real-world challenges, helping organisations from fire services to local authorities build safer, more inclusive spaces.

Our equipment helps teams plan and respond with confidence – ensuring individuals with disabilities or limited mobility can be evacuated safely, swiftly, and with dignity.

Evaccess has been advising schools and universities for many years, helping them identify the most appropriate means of escape (MOE) for students with physical impairments.

We offer:

Specialist Equipment – including stair climbers and powered evacuation devices that allow students to remain in their own wheelchair.
Tailored Assessments – so that your evacuation plan isn’t based on guesswork.
Staff Training – so the right equipment is matched with confident, capable response teams.
Legal Compliance Support – including advice in line with the Safeguarding Fire Standard.

Whether you’re responsible for a single campus or a multi-site institution, our team helps you take a proactive, inclusive approach to evacuation planning.

Featured Evacuation Solutions from Evaccess

LG2004 T-Lift – Allows users to remain in their wheelchair during stair evacuations – no lifting or transfers required.
Gecko Chair – Navigates complex staircases with anti-tilt technology and 180kg capacity.
Super-Trac TRE-70 – A heavy-duty, powered stair climber for wheelchairs.

 A Partner in Compliance, Safety & Evacuation Strategy: We’re not just equipment providers – we’re accessibility experts.

From site assessments and compliance advice to hands-on training, we partner with Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) and safety leaders to ensure evacuation plans are practical, scalable, and legally sound.

Evaccess specialises in innovative evacuation solutions that address the challenges of safely evacuating individuals with disabilities or mobility impairments.

Our expertise ensures that institutions have access to tailored equipment designed for real-world use, preventing dangerous scenarios where ill-fitting or inappropriate evacuation devices could fail in a crisis.

The Evaccess Commitment to Your Evacuation Strategy

Beyond providing evacuation equipment, Evaccess is dedicated to supporting organisations in meeting modern safety and accessibility standards.

The team offers expert guidance on evacuation strategy, compliance support, and hands-on training to ensure that evacuation plans are practical, effective, and legally compliant.

Explore the full range of Evaccess products here: https://evaccess.uk/products/

The Evaccess Commitment

The Evaccess team is dedicated to supporting you by offering guidance and answering any queries. By choosing Evaccess, facilities managers can meet and exceed modern standards for safety and accessibility, promoting a culture of inclusivity and preparedness in building management.

Call Evaccess for advice and information: https://evaccess.uk/

0121 444 3690

Get in. Get Out. Together.