Evac+Chair International, the country’s leading provider of specialist evacuation chair systems, has been chosen by the prestigious Birmingham Royal Ballet to provide additional support for employees and visitors in the event of an emergency and evacuation.

In particular, an evacuation chair has been installed at the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Jerwood Centre for the prevention and treatment of dance injuries, to assist injured dancers descend staircases in the event of an emergency.

The ballet company is based on a complex site which has numerous floors and the evacuation chair system has been installed to ensure people who have difficulty or are unable to independently descend staircases, can do so safely in the event of an emergency evacuation.

The chairs were installed following a comprehensive fire and health and safety risk assessment carried out by the organisation, as Lynn Colledge, human resources director at the Birmingham Royal Ballet, explains, “In order to ensure the safety of all our staff and visitors, we installed Evac+Chairs throughout the premises to make sure we are providing a safe escape route for everyone in the case of an emergency. We have also trained a number of staff in using the evacuation chairs and regularly carry out refresher courses so we can be confident that, should the need arise, we have the skills and the equipment available to assist in an emergency.”

Paul Colder, head of marketing at Evac+Chair International, commented, “Evac+Chair International is delighted that such a prestigious and unique venue has chosen to install our evacuation chairs. This ensures that systems are in place to provide the safe evacuation of everyone using the facilities, from mobility impaired staff and visitors, to injured dancers at the Jerwood Centre.

“The service does not end once the chairs have been installed, we will continue to work closely with the Birmingham Royal Ballet to maintain equipment and train staff.”

For more information about Evac+Chair International visit their website.