Evacuation Chairs: Recent Research and New Performance Standards

27th March, 2014

“Evacuation Chairs: Recent Research and New Performance Standards” - the next session in the “Emergency Management and Preparedness - Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Webinar Series”.

Evacuation chairs are recognized as an important component for safe emergency exit from high-rises, although they are used to assist with exit from any building which requires travel on stairs. Information on evacuation chairs has largely been anecdotal, however, or provided by manufacturers.

The webinar will cover recent FEMA-funded research on the use of three main types of stair descent devices, including evacuation chairs. Results discussed will include demands on operators of the devices, as well as pilot data regarding consumer opinion of each device.

The session will also cover the first performance standard on evacuation chairs, ANSI/RESNA ED-1:2013, and the key recommendations of a draft RESNA Position Paper on their use.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will be able to identify two design features of evacuation chairs that enable operators to use the chairs most efficiently.
Attendees will be able to identify two performance requirements under the RESNA ED-1: 2013 Standard for evacuation chairs.
Attendees will be able to cite two recommendations contained in the draft RESNA Position Paper on Evacuation Chairs.

Presenters:

Steve Lavender, PhD - The Ohio State University.
Glenn Hedman, MS, PE - University of Illinois at Chicago.

Archive Materials:

Contact the Pacific ADA Center if you need access to this recording.