The chair is equipped with a pair of skis with self-locking straps, which glide smoothly down the stairs, allowing the operator to transport the evacuated person in a controlled manner.

Some models have retractable handles that allow for easy carrying and lifting of the chair with the passenger inside, and sturdy wheels for moving on flat surfaces.

No. They are devices with distinct functions and characteristics.

The assessment will begin with the first question: how urgent is it to remove the person from their current environment? In the event of accidents, such as fires, poisoning risks, etc., the time and number of people involved may impact the removal and the risk to life.

Initially, according to adopted protocols, if no injuries are identified, the evacuation chair can be a quick and practical solution for removing people; however, there are factors to be considered such as:

- The time required to plank a person
- The number of people needed to move the plank (usually 4 to 6 people)
- The space and route where the surfboard will need to pass (stairs or elevators)

Another important aspect is that one of the goals of the backboard is to completely stabilize the patient with the straps. However, the movement of the backboard, which is usually irregular, forces the person on the backboard to try to move their body in an attempt to compensate for the imbalance.

Anyone who needs to be rescued/transported, especially those with temporary or permanent reduced mobility (low mobility), such as pregnant women, people with fractures, people with disabilities, the elderly, and those who have fainted.

In addition to its use in emergencies, the chair can also make daily life easier — especially in homes or buildings where there is no elevator or it is unavailable. It allows for descent with the assistance of one person and ascent with the support of two, safely and conveniently.

It ensures the safety of occupants with reduced mobility and ergonomics for the operator, contributing to:

• Compliance with safety and accessibility standards.
• Reduced risk of injury during bowel movements.
• Easy to move around on stairs and in confined spaces.

In Brazil, there is still no law that explicitly mentions the need for an evacuation chair; however, there are some legal aspects to consider, such as:

 LAW 13.146 – BRAZILIAN LAW ON THE INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (LBI) OF 06.07.2015, in its article 10, which provides for “the adoption of measures for their protection and safety”,
In its article 3, section IX - person with reduced mobility: anyone who, for any reason, has difficulty moving, whether permanently or temporarily, resulting in an effective reduction in mobility, flexibility, motor coordination or perception, including the elderly, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, people with infants and obese people;

Article 10. It is the responsibility of the public authorities to guarantee the dignity of persons with disabilities throughout their lives.
Sole paragraph. "In situations of risk, emergency or state of public calamity, the person with a disability will be considered vulnerable, and the public authorities must adopt measures for their protection and safety.

 NBR 9077 – Emergency Exits in Buildings
Brazilian standard NBR 9077, in its item 5.1 "Unobstructed access", establishes:

5.1.1 Exit routes intended for use by patients and people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, must have ramps and safety lifts or other devices where there is a difference in level between floors.

We emphasize that during disasters, there is a considerable increase in the number of people experiencing mobility problems caused by accidents, fainting, and panic; therefore, there is a need for and availability of both material resources (equipment) and human resources for the movement and evacuation of these people and people with permanent disabilities.

There is no law mandating it yet, but it can be observed in the JCI (Joint Commission International Accreditation Standards) hospital accreditation, in its FMS chapter 8.1, that the safety plan should include prevention, rapid detection, elimination, reduction, and safe evacuation of facilities in response to emergencies related or not to fires.

Due to the characteristics of the public, the evacuation chair is a fundamental piece of equipment to facilitate the operation, always remembering that it must be equipped with features for trunk stability of the transported person, ergonomics, ease of operation for the driver, braking capabilities for the chair, a transport system for operation in outdoor areas such as sidewalks and streets, among others.

Yes, because evacuation chairs, also called rescue chairs, have a special feature (skids with rubber straps) for descending stairs, which allows for speed control when going down the steps.

Conversely, if the company has the LINCE CRE stair descent chair, for example, it will have an ideal ergonomic setup with its footrests and trunk stability belts, potentially serving as a replacement for a traditional wheelchair.

Always check the equipment model to see if it meets ergonomic and operational requirements before arranging for wheelchair removal.

Typically, the structural part has a longer lifespan, which will depend on the quality of the raw materials used, and can last for years. However, it should be analyzed, as the material may suffer fatigue over time.

As for the belts, like all rubber materials, they suffer wear and tear and dryness over time, which can reduce their lifespan.

Anyone trained can operate an evacuation chair. This includes healthcare professionals, firefighters, members of the Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA), and other qualified personnel. Proper training is essential to ensure the safety of both the evacuee and the operator.

The distribution of chairs should be based on the number of floors and the number of employees/residents on the premises.

The recommendation starts with one wheelchair per floor, as there is no way to predict where the accident will occur and who may need help.

The estimated quantity is 1% in relation to the local population.

Another factor is whether the floor is very wide and the stairs are very far apart, which may require equipment close to each of the exits.

Another factor to consider is whether there are people with permanent mobility problems on the floor. In this case, there should be equipment specifically designed for each of these people and other equipment for the remaining people, in a quantity of 1%.

They should be installed in easily accessible locations, such as common areas and main corridors. It is important to ensure that all employees know their location and how to use them correctly.

Ergonomics is fundamental, as this equipment is designed for the movement of people with mobility problems, that is, those with a temporary or permanent disability.

The evacuation process is usually quick; however, after leaving the building, it is impossible to predict how long it will take for emergency/rescue services to arrive, or even for a wheelchair adapted to the user.

No. That is why LINCE, in order to demonstrate its quality in the production process and structural safety, has ISO9001:2015 certification, as well as laboratory testing by SENAI on its load capacity, sharp and cutting parts.

The manufacture and design of the LINCE chair are Brazilian, and it holds an industrial design patent registered with INPI BR 30 2017 003875 1.

Yes, just like all safety equipment. For this reason, seeking to demonstrate the best use and knowledge of the equipment, LINCE offers training, covering everything from its structure, components and operation, to the processes of transferring people to the chair, care with the release of respiratory flow, and its operational use on stairs.

Because it is a piece of equipment used sporadically, LINCE recommends monthly training on the chair for all personnel designated to operate it, mainly due to the stress that an accident situation can cause.

There are two predominant technologies: one where the ski assembly is located under the chair, as is the case with LINCE, because it is considered safer to operate and more practical; and another where the ski assembly is located behind the rear caster.

Regardless of the technology, evacuation chairs, according to the English definition, must have a set of skis with self-locking straps to glide down the steps at a controlled speed.

It is important to check the incline of the stairs to ensure they comply with the national standard and that the angle of inclination matches the technical drawing of the chair, duly approved by the manufacturer.

For ladders with incline angles above 38 degrees, it is necessary to verify if the model provided by the manufacturer meets this requirement. In the case of LINCE, there is a model, called MINI 45, for use on ladders with inclines up to 45 degrees.

Knowing the evacuation route is essential to verify if the model you intend to purchase operates with the necessary dexterity.

It is equipment for removing people with disabilities, therefore always analyze the equipment's features regarding the stabilization of the rescued person's body, ergonomics, operational safety, among others.

Motorized stair climbing chairs are not classified as evacuation chairs, but rather exclusively as accessibility equipment.

LINCE is concerned with its design, aiming for the best ergonomics and comfort for users and drivers, taking into account the experience and needs of wheelchair users, doctors, and rescue workers in its development.