---
title: "Stair chair and evacuation chair guide: manual, tracked and powered"
url: https://www.kelingmed.com/blog/stair-chair-and-evacuation-chair-guide/
published: 2026-08-22
updated: 2026-10-19
author: Keling Medical export team
---

# Stair chair and evacuation chair guide: manual, tracked and powered

How to choose a stair chair or evacuation chair: manual, tracked and motorized stair chairs compared, with capacities, stair checks and a buyer's spec list.

## Key points

- A stair chair is a folding, wheeled seat that lets two trained operators carry or roll a seated patient up or down stairs where a stretcher cannot turn.
- Tracked stair chairs and evacuation chairs use rubber tracks that glide down the stair nosings, so the operator controls the descent instead of carrying the full load.
- Powered or motorized stair chairs add a battery-driven track to climb stairs, which reduces carrying effort but adds weight, cost and charging routines.
- Check stair width, landing turning space, step height and pitch before choosing a model, and always test the chair on the actual staircase.
- Evacuation chairs only work as part of a written evacuation plan with trained staff, storage at each stairwell and regular drills.


A **stair chair** is a folding, wheeled transport chair that lets trained operators move a seated patient up or down stairs and through tight spaces where a stretcher cannot turn. Evacuation chairs are the building version: wall-stored, usually tracked, and designed to bring people who cannot use stairs down to safety. Choosing well means matching chair type to stairs, staff and use.

This guide covers manual, tracked and powered designs, what the specifications mean, and what to ask a manufacturer before you buy.

## What is a stair chair?

A stair chair is a lightweight frame with a seat, backrest, patient belts, front and rear handles and small wheels. It folds flat for storage in an ambulance or on a wall bracket.

EMS crews use it because stairwells in apartments and older houses rarely allow a horizontal stretcher to turn on the landings. The patient sits upright, which also suits many medical patients who breathe more easily sitting up.

Typical users:

- **Ambulance services**: daily patient extraction from upper floors.
- **Hospitals and care homes**: emergency evacuation and internal moves when elevators are out of service.
- **Offices, schools, hotels and public buildings**: evacuation of people with reduced mobility.
- **Sports venues and events**: removal of casualties from stands and terraces.

## Types of stair chairs and evacuation chairs

There are three main designs. The difference is how the load is managed on the stairs.

| Type | How it works on stairs | Operators | Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual carry stair chair | Lifted and carried by handles at head and foot ends | 2 | Light, simple, low cost, works up and down | Operators carry most of the weight |
| Tracked stair chair / evacuation chair | Rubber tracks glide down the stair nosings; operator controls speed | 1–2 | Much less lifting on descent; good for evacuation | Mostly descent-only; tracks wear |
| Powered (motorized) stair chair | Battery-driven tracks climb and descend | 1–2 | Climbs stairs with minimal lifting | Heavier, higher cost, battery management |

### Manual stair chairs

The simplest stair chair is carried. Two operators lift at the front and rear handles and walk the chair down one step at a time. Wheels are used on flat floors.

Keling's [KL-MS009 Manual Stair Stretcher](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/stretchers-first-aid/kl-ms009-manual-stair-stretcher/) manual stair stretcher (evacuation chair) measures 1250 × 550 × 1630 mm in use and folds to 1100 × 570 × 340 mm, with a safety seat belt, foldable footrest and front casters for maneuvering on flat ground.

### Tracked stair chairs

A tracked stair chair adds a pair of belt tracks to the rear frame. When the chair is tipped back on the top step, the tracks rest on the stair edges and the chair glides down under the operator's control.

This is the design most people mean by "evacuation chair for stairs." It turns a heavy carry into a controlled descent and is why many services consider tracks essential for daily use.

### Powered and battery-powered stair chairs

A powered stair chair (also called a motorized or battery-powered stair chair) uses an electric drive to move the tracks. It can climb stairs as well as descend, which matters for moving patients upstairs or for services with frequent upper-floor work.

Keling's [KL-MS010 Electric Stair Stretcher](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/stretchers-first-aid/kl-ms010-electric-stair-stretcher/) electric stair stretcher has an electric lifting mechanism, a stair-climbing track system, a safety belt and the same 1250 × 550 × 1630 mm working size as the manual version. Battery capacity, number of floors per charge and charging time should be confirmed per model in the quotation.

## Stair chair vs tracked wheelchair

"Tracked wheelchair" is often used for personal stair-climbing mobility devices that the owner uses every day. A stair chair is attendant-operated transport equipment.

The differences matter for procurement. A personal device is sized, adjusted and prescribed for one user. A stair chair or evacuation chair must fit a wide range of patients, be operated by trained staff, be cleaned between users and survive daily ambulance use. For everyday mobility questions, see [types of wheelchairs and how to choose](https://www.kelingmed.com/blog/types-of-wheelchairs/).

## Key specifications to compare

Read the data sheet for each of these. They decide whether the chair works in your buildings.

- **Maximum load**: many EMS stair chairs are rated around 159 kg (350 lb); heavy-duty models higher. Read the rating for the exact model.
- **Chair weight**: affects carrying the empty chair and loading it into the ambulance. Powered models weigh more.
- **Working and folded dimensions**: width matters for doorways and narrow stairs; folded depth matters for wall brackets and vehicle storage.
- **Track design**: track length, rubber compound, adjustability of track angle.
- **Handles**: telescopic rear handle, foldable foot-end lifting handles, grip material.
- **Wheels**: rear wheel diameter, front swivel casters with locks.
- **Patient restraint**: number of belts, chest and leg straps, quick-release buckles.
- **Footrest**: foldable, with heel strap.
- **Battery** (powered models): type, capacity, floors per charge, charge time, replacement interval.
- **Cleaning**: fabric material, removable covers, approved disinfectants.

## Check your stairs before choosing a model

The best stair chair on paper fails if it does not fit the staircase. Survey the real stairs before you shortlist.

1. **Stair width** between handrails, compared with chair width plus room for operators' hands.
2. **Landing size and turning space**, especially on dog-leg and spiral stairs.
3. **Step height and depth** (rise and going) and overall stair pitch; very steep stairs limit some tracked designs.
4. **Nosings and surface**: worn, slippery or projecting nosings affect track grip.
5. **Door widths** at the top and bottom of each flight.
6. **Storage location**: where the chair will hang, how far from the people likely to need it.

Then **trial the chair on site** with a volunteer of realistic weight and with the staff who will use it. Note how many operators are needed and how long the descent takes.

## Evacuation chairs in hospitals, care homes and offices

An emergency evacuation chair only helps if it is part of a plan. In most buildings, elevators are not used during a fire unless they are specifically designed as evacuation lifts, so people with limited mobility rely on staff and equipment.

Good practice includes:

- **Personal emergency evacuation plans** for staff and regular visitors who cannot use stairs unaided.
- **One chair per protected stairwell** on the floors where it will be needed, mounted on a wall bracket with clear signage.
- **Trained operators on every shift**, with refresher training and timed drills.
- **Inspection schedule**: monthly visual checks and annual service per the manufacturer's IFU.

Follow your national fire safety regulations and your fire risk assessment; they set the legal requirements for your building.

For patients who need to stay lying flat, plan stretcher routes and lifts too. A wall-stored [KL-MS008 Hanging Basket Stretcher](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/stretchers-first-aid/kl-ms008-hanging-basket-stretcher/) hanging basket stretcher, for example, is designed for hoisting and vertical extraction where stairs are not an option.

## What to put in a tender specification

Write the specification around your use and your stairs, not around one brochure.

- Intended use: EMS daily transport, building evacuation, or both.
- Type: manual, tracked or powered; ascent required or descent only.
- Maximum patient load in kg and lb.
- Maximum empty chair weight.
- Working and folded dimensions in mm.
- Track, wheel, handle and restraint requirements.
- Battery requirements and spare battery (powered models).
- Wall bracket or vehicle mount included.
- Training for operators and trainers, in the local language.
- Documents: IFU, quality system certificate, declaration of conformity or registration that applies to the model and destination country. In Europe, foldable patient transfer chairs for ambulances are covered by EN 1865-4; ask which standards the model has been tested against.
- Spare parts list with prices: tracks, belts, casters, batteries.
- Warranty and service support.

For EMS fleets, buy stair chairs together with the main stretcher so mounting brackets and accessories match. The [KL-MS012 Foldable Transfer Stair Stretcher](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/stretchers-first-aid/kl-ms012-foldable-transfer-stair-stretcher/) foldable transfer stair stretcher is a compact option for services that want a lighter chair alongside ambulance stretchers.

## Training and safe handling

Stair chairs move people on stairs, so training is not optional. Every operator should practice with an empty chair, then with a volunteer, under supervision.

Training should cover patient selection, securing belts, tipping the chair onto the tracks, communication between operators, speed control, landings and turning, and what to do if a patient becomes agitated. Follow the manufacturer's IFU and your organization's manual handling policy.

## Maintenance and service life

Stair chairs work hard on ambulances and sit idle for years in buildings, and both patterns cause problems. Daily-use chairs wear tracks, casters and belts; stored chairs suffer from flat batteries, perished rubber and missing straps.

A basic program:

- **After each use**: clean and disinfect seat, belts and handles; check belts and buckles.
- **Monthly**: unfold stored chairs, check tracks for cracks and tension, test brakes and casters, charge powered models.
- **Annually**: full service per the IFU, including track replacement when worn and battery capacity checks.

Record each inspection against the chair's serial number. Budget for replacement tracks and batteries over the chair's life, not just the purchase price.

## Next steps

A stair chair is one of the most-used devices on an ambulance and one of the least-used in a building, until the day it is needed. Choose by stairs, staff and use case, trial on site and budget for training.

Explore Keling's [stretchers and first-aid equipment](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/stretchers-first-aid/), compare devices in our guide to [types of stretchers](https://www.kelingmed.com/blog/types-of-stretchers/), or [request a quote](https://www.kelingmed.com/contact/#rfq) with your quantities and staircase details.


## FAQ

### What is a stair chair used for?

A stair chair is used to move a seated patient up or down stairs, through narrow hallways and into small elevators where a full stretcher will not fit. EMS crews use it to bring patients out of apartments and houses to the ambulance. Hospitals, care homes and offices use evacuation versions to bring people who cannot use stairs down during an emergency.

### What is the difference between a stair chair and an evacuation chair?

The terms overlap. EMS stair chairs are usually carried or rolled by two operators and are built for daily patient transport. Evacuation chairs are usually wall-stored in buildings and designed for one or two trained staff to glide a person down stairs on tracks during a fire or other emergency. Many tracked models serve both roles.

### How does a tracked stair chair work?

A tracked stair chair has a pair of rubber belt tracks on its rear frame. On the stairs, the chair is tipped back so the tracks rest on the stair edges, and the operator controls the descent with the handles while the tracks provide friction. A second operator at the foot end guides and stabilizes. This greatly reduces the weight crews must carry.

### How much weight can a stair chair hold?

Many EMS stair chairs are rated around 159 kg (350 lb), and some heavy-duty models are rated higher. The rating is set by the manufacturer for that exact model and configuration, so read it from the label and the instructions for use. Never exceed it, and remember that operator strength and staircase conditions also limit safe use.

### Can you go up stairs with an evacuation chair?

Most evacuation chairs are designed for descent only, which is the normal direction for building evacuation. Going up stairs requires either carrying the chair with enough operators or a powered stair chair whose battery-driven tracks climb the steps. If upstairs movement is part of your use case, choose a model the manufacturer specifies for ascent.

### Is a tracked wheelchair the same as a stair chair?

Not exactly. A tracked wheelchair usually describes a personal mobility device that uses tracks, often powered, to climb stairs or cross rough ground for daily use by its owner. A stair chair is an attendant-operated transport and evacuation device. Both use tracks, but they are designed, rated and trained for different jobs.

### Are stair chairs suitable for elderly people at home?

An attendant-operated stair chair can help carers move an older person on stairs, but it is a professional handling device that requires training and two capable operators. For daily home use, a fixed stairlift, ground-floor living arrangements or a powered stair-climbing device may be more appropriate. A clinician or occupational therapist should assess the person and the home first.