Direct Access, founded in 2004, is the UK’s top accessibility consultant, assisting businesses on physical access to their facilities. Regular identification of the need for evacuation equipment to aid in crises has been a fundamental aspect of Direct Access’ consultation work. Systems are sometimes offered as a box solution and fitted with little regard for the comfort of the end user, who is frequently forced to stay inside the evacuation equipment until the emergency is over or another wheelchair can be found. During an evacuation, their regular wheelchair or walking assistance is left behind since it is not built for a quick and safe evacuation.
What does the director of Direct Access have to say?
“As a result, both operators and evacuees are hesitant to use evacuation equipment,” explains Lee Searle, Direct Access’ Sales Director. “As a result of this concern, handicapped persons and pregnant women refuse to utilize evacuation equipment because they do not feel comfortable or secure in the chair.” The focus of training seems to be on how to operate the technology, with little mention of how an operator might comfort the person in the chair.”
“Building owners were alerting us they are unsure of what they need or where to go when contemplating how to evacuate a building,” said founder Steven Mifsud, who is deaf. People who are disabled have told us that they are apprehensive about being evacuated. As a result, the evacuation chairs are clearly identified by their orange and black colors. This is especially important for neurodiverse persons who associate orange with life jackets on ships.”
Direct Access was awarded a five-year state-wide contract to supply and install chairs in Utah, USA, shortly after its start. The Direct Access Evacuation chair was designed and manufactured in Germany.
Engineered to be safe and dependable. In the case of an emergency, you may rely on us. Customers must be able to trust their life safety equipment to work as expected. Direct Access has opted to collaborate with Life Evacuation, a company with similar ideals and a focus on accessibility.
Services and maintenance of evacuation chairs
The whole line of evacuation chairs is installed and serviced by the network of handicapped field service experts. Direct Access is fully CHAS certified and performs monthly maintenance on evacuation equipment in accordance with the PUWER Regulations 1998. (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations). This not only ensures that your chairs are ready to use, but it also extends the life of your investment. Regular maintenance instills trust in any guest who may need to utilize the chair on your grounds.
We’ll make sure there’s an annual plan in place, complete with work monitoring and certification. The site study for Direct Access Evacuation guarantees that the proper emergency evacuation strategy is provided.
The full post survey report will emphasize the areas of attention and recommend remedies, taking into consideration the building architecture, current emergency protocols, and where applicable, the mobility requirements of the intended users of the Direct Access Chair. Direct Access takes pleasure in offering a service rather than simply selling a commodity. The team of impaired trainers gives operators hands-on experience to help them understand how the chair works.
The training approach includes more than simply the use of equipment. It focuses on the individual’s experience of being evacuated. Everyone will have different needs; the key to a successful evacuation is learning how to recognize these needs and generate confidence.
What distinguishes Direct Access evacuation chairs from the competition?
Direct Access, an accessibility consultant, has produced an Evacuation Chair series, claiming it is the first-time chairs have been designed with a handicapped evacuee in mind. Direct Access discovered that systems are often given as a box solution in its endeavor to identify the need for evacuation equipment to aid in crises.
It was discovered that they are fitted with little regard for the comfort of the end user, who is often forced to stay inside the evacuation equipment until the emergency is over or another wheelchair can be procured. During an evacuation, their regular wheelchair or walking assistance is left behind since it is not built for a quick and safe evacuation.
According to Lee Searle, Sales Director at Direct Access, this makes both operators and evacuees wary of employing evacuation equipment. “This dread manifests itself in handicapped persons or expecting moms refusing to utilize evacuation equipment because they do not feel comfortable or secure in the chair,” he added.
“Training tends to constantly be focused on how to use the equipment and fails to include how an operator might comfort the person in the chair.” There is an obvious market void, and Direct Access has stepped forward to fill it.” “Building owners were alerting us they are unsure of what they need or where to go when contemplating how to evacuate a building,” said Direct Access Founder Steven Mifsud, who is deaf.
“Disabled persons have told us that they are afraid of being evacuated.” As a result, the evacuation chairs are clearly identified by their orange and black colors. “This is especially important for neurodiverse persons who associate orange with life jackets on ships.” “I’ve witnessed firsthand how evacuation may be done poorly — we want to assist organizations build equitable access and egress by removing the fear element.” “I’m delighted that we’ve educated and established a team of disabled installation and service engineers to help us launch the new range.”
Final words
Now you have a clear idea about the history of Direct Access and the products offered by the brand to the market. While keeping these options in mind, you may think about spending your money on the best evacuation chairs that you can find out there. No matter what, you will surely enjoy the results coming on your way.