PEEPs and Stair Climbers

PEEPs and why stair climbers should be at the heart of your Personal Emergency Egress Plan

A well-written PEEP — Personal Emergency Egress Plan — is essential for any organisation that has staff, visitors, or customers who may need assistance to evacuate safely in an emergency. A PEEP (also known as a Personal evacuation plan or Personal Emergency Egress Plan) sets out who needs help, what help they need, and exactly how that help will be delivered during an evacuation. While many sites rely on traditional manual aids such as evac chairs, modern stair climbers supplied by specialist companies are transforming how organisations design and deliver PEEPs. In the UK, The Stair Climbing Company stands out as a top provider, offering equipment, training, and operational support that make stair climbers the smarter, safer choice for many PEEPs.

What is a PEEP and why it matters

A Personal Emergency Egress Plan is an individually tailored document that identifies the evacuation needs of someone who cannot use the standard escape routes unaided. PEEPs ensure that those with mobility impairments, sensory loss, cognitive disability, or temporary injuries are included in emergency preparedness. Clear PEEPs reduce risk, speed evacuation, and demonstrate compliance with health and safety best practice and accessibility obligations.

Stair climbers vs evac chairs: the practical advantages

Evac chairs have been a common tool in PEEPs for decades. They are lightweight and low-cost, but they rely heavily on manual strength and technique, and they can be slow, uncomfortable, and risky on narrow or uneven staircases. Stair climbers are powered devices designed to move people up or down stairs smoothly and with minimal physical strain on operators. Here’s why stair climbers are increasingly preferred in Personal Emergency Egress Plans:

• Powered, reliable descent and ascent — Stair climbers use electric or battery-assisted drives that take the manual strain out of moving a person on stairs. This reduces the chance of operator fatigue and accidents during an evacuation.
• Safer for evacuees — Powered systems offer more stable, gentle motion, which is especially important for people with injuries, complex medical needs, or anxiety about evacuation.
• Faster evacuation times — With fewer operators required and controlled descent speed, stair climbers can significantly reduce the time it takes to evacuate assisted people, helping to clear escape routes more quickly.
• Suitable for a wider range of users — Many stair climbers are designed to carry bariatric users or wheelchairs, expanding the scope of a PEEP to cover more scenarios.
• Less risk of injury to staff — Manual handling injuries are a leading cause of workplace absence. Stair climbers reduce manual handling demands, protecting staff who would otherwise lift or steady evacuees on an evac chair.
• Flexible for complex environments — Stair climbers handle turns, landings, and varying stair geometries better than many manual chairs, which is crucial in historic buildings, theatres, hotels, and multi-level offices.

Integrating stair climbers into your Personal Emergency Egress Plan

Including stair climbers in a PEEP should be a structured process:

1. Assessment: Start with an individual needs assessment for everyone who may need assistance. Identify stair types, widths, landing layouts, and storage/charging points for equipment.
2. Equipment selection: Choose stair climbers rated for your building’s stair geometry and for the weights you may need to carry. The Stair Climbing Company can advise on models and compatibility for different settings.
3. Training and drills: Regular, realistic drills build confidence. Operators need hands-on training so they can deploy equipment quickly and safely under pressure.
4. Maintenance and readiness: Battery checks, service schedules, and accessible storage keep stair climbers ready to use at all times.
5. Documentation: Update each PEEP with clear instructions about who will operate the stair climber, where it is stored, and contingency plans if equipment is not available.

Why choose a specialist provider

Selecting a reputable provider matters. The right supplier will not only supply robust, tested stair climbers but also deliver training, maintenance and tailored consultancy so your PEEP is realistic and effective. In the UK, The Stair Climbing Company is widely recognised for delivering integrated solutions that include equipment hire and purchase, site surveys, operator training and long-term service contracts. For further guidance on professional evacuation solutions, consider visiting a specialist such as www.theevacuationcompany.com which provides complementary products and expertise for comprehensive PEEPs.

Making your PEEP inclusive and future-ready

A Personal Emergency Egress Plan is not a checkbox — it is an ongoing commitment to inclusive safety. When you choose powered stair climbers and partner with experienced suppliers like The Stair Climbing Company, your PEEP becomes more robust, efficient and dignified for evacuees. Invest in regular review, include people with lived experience in planning, and ensure your PEEPs cover multiple scenarios — from fire to power loss — so that every person has the best possible chance of a safe, timely evacuation.

A well-designed PEEP that includes stair climbers improves safety outcomes, reduces risk to staff, and ensures organisations meet their duty of care. For businesses and public venues aiming to raise their standard of emergency preparedness, powered stair climbers installed and supported by a specialist provider should be considered a central element of any Personal Emergency Egress Plan.