When Elevators does not work

How Do You Evacuate a Mobility Impaired Person?

Emergencies never announce themselves. Fires, earthquakes, structural failures, or even power outages can turn a high-rise building into a death trap. In such situations, lifts (elevators) automatically shut down as per safety codes, leaving staircases as the only escape. But here lies the critical question: Are we truly prepared to evacuate mobility-impaired persons when the lift does not work?

Are Our Staircases Designed for Everyone?

Globally, nearly 15% of the population lives with some form of disability (WHO, 2023). In India alone, the Census 2011 reported 26.8 million persons with disabilities, of which over 20% face mobility challenges. Add to this the elderly population over 138 million Indians are aged 60+ (MoHFW, 2021) and we realize that a significant portion of occupants in any building may not be able to self evacuate through stairs. Yet, most staircases are built only for able-bodied occupants. Narrow stair widths, lack of refuge areas, absence of evacuation aids, and poor lighting make them unsuitable for universal evacuation.

Why Lifts Cannot Be Used During Emergencies

It is universally mandated : Do not use lifts in case of fire or earthquake.

• Lifts may fail due to power cuts.
• They can fill with smoke, trapping occupants inside.
• Heat can cause door or control failures.

This is why both NBC (India) and NFPA (USA) specify automatic shutdown of lifts during fire alarms. The question remains: If the lift is not available, how will we evacuate a wheelchair user from the 10th floor?

What Do Standards Say About Stairwells?

Codes around the world emphasize the importance of stairwells in safe evacuation :

• NBC of India 2016 (Part IV – Fire & Life Safety): Requires fire-rated, enclosed
• staircases, minimum 1.5 m wide in high-rise buildings, and refuge areas every 7th floor/24 m height.
• IS 14435:1997: Stresses barrier-free access and evacuation measures for persons with disabilities.
• NFPA 101: Life Safety Code (USA): Mandates areas of refuge and accessible egress routes.
• ISO 21542:2011: Defines technical requirements for accessible staircases.
• In simple terms, staircases are not just steps—they are lifelines.

Evacuation Through Stair cases—A Real Challenge

Manual carrying is unsafe. Studies from the UK Fire Protection Association show that untrained personnel attempting to carry people down stairs increases fall risk by 60%. Evacuation requires dedicated equipment—evacuation chairs or power stair climbers. International codes such as NFPA 101 and BS 9999:2017 recognize evacuation chairs as essential for inclusive evacuation planning.

The Role of Power Chairs in Stair Evacuation

Modern power-assisted stair chairs and stair-climbers use tracks and motors to carry a person up or down safely. They can reduce evacuation time by up to 40% compared to manual methods. Widely used in Japan, EU, hospitals, airports, and stadiums, they preserve dignity and save lives

Are Evacuation Drills Inclusive?

Less than 5% of drills worldwide simulate evacuation for people with disabilities (UNDRR 2020). True preparedness requires :

• Evacuation of wheelchair users and bedridden patients.
• Deployment of evacuation chairs and training of staff.
• Inclusive evacuation routes tested under realistic conditions.

Lifeline Evacuation Chairs—Over 20 Years of Trusted Experience

Lifeline Evacuation Chairs have been saving lives across the world for more than two decades. They are lightweight but strong, operable by one person, and compliant with international standards such as EN 1865 and BS 9999. Trusted by hospitals, airports, hotels, corporate offices, and residential towers.

Let Us Make Every Building Safe for Everyone

Safety is not complete until it is inclusive. A building that does not plan for the evacuation of mobility-impaired persons is not truly safe. Evacuation chairs must be treated as essential as fire extinguishers or sprinklers.

When the lift does not work, no one should be left behind. Let us make evacuation chairs mandatory in every building—because every life matters.

Key Standards & Codes on Evacuation of Mobility Impaired Persons

Emergencies do not discriminate. When the lift does not work, the only thing that matters is whether we have made provisions for every occupant to evacuate safely. Stairwells must be designed to code, evacuation drills must be inclusive, and evacuation chairs must be treated as essential safety equipmentjust like fire extinguishers and alarms. Because in an emergency, every second counts and every life matters.

KP Dominic has been advocating safe building practices for over three decades. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Blue & Gray Management Consultants (India) Pvt. Ltd. and a co-founder of premier industry bodies such as the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI), the Forum of Construction Utility Services (FOCUS), and the National Federation of Engineers for Electrical Safety (NFE)

He serves on national code development committees, including the National Building Code of India 2025 (Part IV – Fire & Life Safety), and has been instrumental in raising awareness on fire safety, electrical safety, and passive fire protection through hundreds of conferences, seminars, and publications. This article reflects his experience and commitment to building a safer, more inclusive environment—where no one is left behind when it matters most