Leading UK cinema chain Odeon has specified Evac+Chair International to provide emergency evacuation chairs to the new cinema complex in Wrexham.

The new build cinema located on the fourth floor level of the Eagles Meadow shopping centre, has been equipped with 7 Evac+Chair evacuation chairs to aid mobility impaired individuals quickly and safely out of the building in the event of an emergency situation.

The new cinema houses eight screens containing 1450 seats, with each auditorium having the ability to accommodate six wheelchairs. Evac+Chairs were installed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which affirms that public buildings must provide adequate egress facilities for all persons with disabilities when exiting a building.

Commenting on the use of Evac+Chairs Peter Alderman, Head of Construction for Odeon and UCI said, "I estimate that we have used Evac+Chairs in up to 18 of our new build cinemas as we have found they meet our needs in respect of our strategy for the evacuation of disabled people from developments built at an upper level, which is increasingly the case."

The stairway evacuation chairs provided by Evac+Chair provide a lightweight, quick and easy solution for assisting individuals out of a building in an emergency situation. The smooth, controlled operation due to the interface of specially modified V belts, allow one person to transport a person of up to 150kg down stairs or on the flat without the need for lifting or great physical strength.

Further information is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk

Evac+Chair International has recently appointed Diane Sutton as manager of its ServiCare^® inspection and maintenance team. The appointment comes as demand for the ServiCare^® continues to grow, with more and more companies realising that simply purchasing an emergency stairway evacuation chair is no longer adequate to comply with duty of care obligations.

Diane explains, "According to the Provision of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, servicing of emergency equipment is just as important as its purchase. In the event you have to use an Evac+Chair, you have to be sure that it will be suitable for use and ServiCare® gives you the legal and moral peace of mind that you have done all you can to ensure it will be."

Retail giant Debenhams is one such company which understands the importance of equipment servicing. It has just had all 160 of its Evac+Chairs serviced through ServiCare^®. Keith Evans, Facilities Manager for Debenhams commented, "We have Evac+Chairs in 149 sites in the UK and Southern Ireland to ensure equal egress for all. It was important to us to have one point of contact that could manage the whole servicing process for us on a nationwide scale and work to the tight timescale which is necessary in retail."

Under Diane's lead the project ran from June to August and included a visual inspection by a team of ServiCare^® engineers, renewal of any wearing parts, testing, as well as recording and reporting.

Keith said, "The whole ServiCare^® process was extremely smooth and Diane was excellent. Customer confidence was built in a very short space of time, and we received email copies of engineer spreadsheets as each service was completed so we were kept informed throughout."

As a result, Debenhams has now entered into a 12 month rolling contractual service agreement with Evac+Chair International. The company has also changed its procedures on the back of findings from the servicing so that Evac+Chair International now installs all future Evac+Chairs directly so that every one is calibrated to each premises to ensure it is correct from the start.

In conclusion, Keith added, "We have received excellent support from Evac+Chair International. The ServiCare^® process is ideal for large organisations like Debenhams as it makes the whole process as easy for the client as possible."

Further information is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk

Johnson Community Hospital in Spalding has just been equipped with Evac+Chairs to cater for the emergency evacuation of mobility-impaired patients, visitors and staff under the Disability Discrimination Act.

The brand new NHS hospital opened in June 2009 and serves the South Holland area. With 32 beds spread over 2 storeys the Evac+Chairs from Evac+Chair International are a life saving investment. They enable a single user to transport another downstairs or on the flat quickly and safely in the event of a fire when lifts in the hospital cannot be used.

Anne Cudlipp, Support Services Coordinator for NHS Lincolnshire said "We chose the Evac+Chairs at the recommendation of our fire and security department. They are being used by other hospitals in the trust and were put forward as the best solution. The chairs are located at designated emergency assistance points at each of the Hospital's four stairwells."

Training on how to use the chairs was incorporated into induction days for everyone, with ward staff and porters receiving more specific training from Ward Educators as those most likely to be operating the chairs.

Anne went on to add, "From first hand experience, the Evac+Chairs are really easy to use. What's particularly good is that they require very little strength to operate and descent is controlled."

This smooth, controlled operation is due to the interface of specially modified V belts which work continuously to slow down descent over stair nosings in proportion to the weight of the passenger, which can be as much as 150kg.

The Evac+Chair is also a popular solution for hospitals and health centres because it is cost effective and hassle free. It simply hangs with a neat cover for protection, with no need to alter the fabric of the building in any way.

In addition to training, Evac+Chair International also offer a nationwide ServiCare® inspection and maintenance programme, to ensure companies and organisations continue to remain compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act and the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998).

Further information is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk

Evac+Chair International has recently supplied over 50 of its stairway evacuation chairs to the University of Chester, assisting them to offer an equal university experience to all.

The University of Chester is one of the oldest education institutions in the country with in excess of 150 buildings of varying style and age. Most of the buildings are multi-storey, therefore stairways are the approved route to safety in an emergency evacuation because lifts cannot be used. Therefore the University had to put in place a safe escape solution for those, such as the mobility-impaired, who would find stairs an insurmountable problem.

"We have a transient population that changes every year. We have to cater for those that are currently here and for those who may wish to study or work here in the future," explained the University's Health & Safety Manager Stephen Povey. He continued, "A stairway evacuation device was identified to us as a way of fulfilling our health and safety and equality and diversity commitments as it allows us to offer a safe means of emergency escape for all."

Evac+Chair International won the competitive tender with a complete backup and support package that included the Evac+Chair stairway evacuation chair, training and a ServiCare© maintenance programme.

Strategically situated throughout the campus buildings, the Evac+Chairs enable one person to transport another downstairs and on the flat quickly and safely, without hindering other stairway users. They offer a smooth and controlled stairway descent and can even be used on steeper stairways up to an angle of 40°. The chairs carry a payload of up to 150kg but at the same time are lightweight and easy to operate requiring no great physical strength.

The Evac+Chairs are also designed for the robust school environment with a lockable storage cabinet available, and can also be adapted to suit those with special physical needs due to a range of comfort and safety restraint accessories.

Further information is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk

Evac+Chair International has provided NHS Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust (PCT) with a simple and cost effective means of evacuating all staff and patients from its clinics and health centres in an emergency.

Colette Rowley, corporate services manager for NHS Halton and St Helens, explained "Several of our clinics / health centres within our PCT have one or two floors where clinical services are delivered to both able bodied as well as disabled patients. Obviously in the event of a fire evacuation the lifts in these buildings cannot be used therefore the need for stairway evacuation chairs was highlighted."

Evac+Chairs were ordered for Garswood Primary Health Centre, Bevan Way Clinic, Newton Hospital, Fingerpost Healthcare Centre and Halton Independent Living. The chairs are intelligently designed, using continuous rotating v-belts to provide smooth and controlled descent over stair nosings in proportion to passenger weight. This enables a single user to evacuate a mobility impaired person down stairs and out to safety in an emergency.

The Evac+Chairs were not just chosen because of their proven design, the after-sales back up the company offers was also important. Mrs Rowley added, "The fact that Evac+Chair provided a training package as well as servicing, was also key to their specification so that we had peace of mind that we remain compliant with regulations."

The company's nationwide ServiCare^© inspection and maintenance programme ensures that NHS Halton and St Helens continues to meet the Disability Discrimination Act and the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998). They have also undertaken Evac+Chair's Key Trainer Masterclass^© programme, which enables trainers to cascade the training to others in accordance with Evac+Chair's approved Code of Practice. This makes it a useful and cost-effective method of sharing information for the multi-site company.

Further information on Evac+Chair's complete range of stairway evacuation solutions is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk

At this year's Safety & Health Expo, Evac+Chair International is showing a complete range of stairway evacuation products that offer a solution to providing equal escape for all.

Taking centre stage on its stand P105 will be the market-leading Evac+Chair for evacuating the mobility impaired down stairs in an emergency, and the Ibex Transeat stair climber and descender. Visitors will have the chance to use the latest models, experiencing first hand how effective and easy they are to operate.

Also on the stand and making its first appearance at Safety and Health Expo, will be the Air+Chair. The Air+Chair is an onboard transit chair for commercial passenger aircraft that was developed in accordance with E.U. regulation 1107/2006 which gives disabled people and people with reduced mobility opportunities for air travel comparable to other citizens when they fly out of E.U airports. It has just successfully completed trials with major airlines and is already generating interest from other transport sectors such as rail.

Evac+Chair will be continuing to highlight the importance of training and servicing in the emergency evacuation equipment market as well, focusing on the various training options it offers and its nationwide inspection and ServiCare^© maintenance programme that ensure customers remain compliant with regulations such as the Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulation (1998).

Further information is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk

Evac+Chairs from Evac+Chair International are now in place at Twickenham Stadium to provide a quick and safe means of emergency stairway descent for mobility impaired visitors.

The 82,500 capacity stadium has a large number of mobility impaired people attending matches and events. As such, the stadium had to make provisions for transporting them downstairs in the event of lift failure, particularly in the south stand where the mobility impaired seating area is in the middle tier not at lower floor level. They also needed to be able to move people with a medical emergency from within the seating bowl downstairs to a level landing in order for medical teams to take over.

On choosing the Evac+Chair for both functions Ken Taylor, safety and event manager for the Rugby Football Union at Twickenham said, "We saw the Evac+Chair at the National Health and Safety Exhibition and it was by far the best product available for our needs. It is widely used because it is effective, reliable and easy to operate. The company also offers a servicing contract and training which sets it apart."

Ten chairs are situated throughout the stadium and have already been called into action. During a recent three day Jehovah's Witness Convention, glass in the lift to a first floor suite was broken rendering it out of action. Six Evac+Chairs were used to transport the 23 mobility impaired people attending down two flights of stairs to the stadium exit. Mr Taylor added, "It proved to be a very good test of the product and our system."

The Evac+Chair uses continuous rotating v-belts to provide a smooth and controlled descent over stair nosings in proportion to passenger weight, which means it can be operated by a single person with no exceptional strength required. It is one of a complete package of solutions from Evac+Chair International for all types of stairway evacuation.

Further information is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk

Sunrise Senior Living UK has commenced introduction of stairway evacuation chairs from Evac+Chair International into all 25 of its award-winning senior living homes in 2007. They form an integral part of the company's emergency building evacuation plan, assisting it to comply with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005.

The chairs are intelligently designed, using continuous rotating v-belts to provide smooth and controlled descent over stair nosings in proportion to passenger weight. This enables a single user to evacuate a mobility impaired person down stairs and out to safety in an emergency.

Sunrise Senior Living UK's fire safety advisors, Quality Fire Safety Management Ltd, were responsible for specifying the Evac+Chairs. A spokesman for the company explained, "All our staff have a fire service background and so have experienced the difficult reality of trying to evacuate people who need to be carried down stairs when dealing with a fire. The Evac+Chair is an excellent solution and an excellent product. It is quick, comfortable, safe and reliable and does not require exceptional strength to operate."

The homes, which accommodate 80-100 residents, all have sprinkler systems, lowering the likelihood of the need for complete evacuation in a fire. As such two Evac+Chairs were required for the majority of the homes for reasonable compliance.

Quality Fire Safety Management Ltd added, "The Evac+Chairs serve a further purpose for the homes too, as they can be used in medical emergencies to transport patients down stairs or to assist the mobility impaired if lifts are ever out of action."

As a leader in its field, Evac+Chair International also offers a complete aftersales back-up service to ensure customers remain compliant with regulations such as the Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulation (1998), giving peace of mind under the ServiCare^© maintenance programme.

Sunrise is undertaking Evac+Chair's Key Trainer Masterclass^© programme, which enables employees who receive the training to train others. This makes it a useful and cost-effective method of sharing information for the multi-site company.

Further information is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk

Evac+Chair International has just provided a stairway evacuation chair package for the newly opened Leeds City Museum.

Centrally located in the historic Leeds Institute Building on Millennium Square, the brand new museum is a major city attraction with an 800 visitor capacity. Built over three floors, it was essential for the museum to provide a safe and quick means of escape for mobility impaired visitors and staff in the event of an emergency.

The historic building layout posed a challenge requiring a solution that had to allow for emergency stair ascent and descent. Evac+Chair carried out a free on-site emergency escape assessment and were able to put forward a package of three different products to cover the requirements.

For emergency descent, two standard Evac+Chair 300H models were supplied as well as an Evac+Chair 600H which comes with two extra front handles for locations in the Museum with difficult access.

The Evac+Chair is a simple cost effective device that can be employed in the event of an emergency when lifts cannot be used. The lightweight unit allows one person to transport another downstairs or on the flat quickly and safely with only a minimum amount of training required and very little physical strength.

An IBEX Transeat was also supplied for the museum's conference suite and gallery on the ground floor, where the need is to ascend a flight of stairs. It grips the stairs and controls the rate of descent with an adjustable braking system and will ascend a stair with the application of minimal force by two operators. It can also accommodate staircases designed with a 45-degree angle of descent, quarter landings, carpeted stairs and obstacles such as doorframes and storm guards.

Leeds City Museum also received certified training from Evac+Chair on all models and is also making use of the company's nationwide inspection and maintenance service to ensure that it continues to remain compliant with the DDA and the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Further information is available from Evac+Chair International on 0845 230 2253, email: pced@evacchair.co.uk or by visiting the company's website at www.evacchair.co.uk