“A week of BBC features looking at the issues facing people with disabilities – Access All Areas – is getting under way.”

“Disability affairs correspondent Peter White looks at how much more needs to be done to end discrimination, 40 years after the first Disability Act.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11857490

ISO 13485 is an internationally-recognised standard developed to ensure that companies producing Class 1 and Class 2 medical devices consistently meet regulatory requirements.

In order to attain the standard, Evac+Chair International demonstrated the ability to adhere to strict quality management systems used to design and manufacture its product range. The standard applies to the company’s complete product range – its evacuation chairs and its specialist ParAid Medical range of medical handling and transportations systems, which are used by a variety of ambulance and air ambulance services.

Mark Wallace, managing director of Evac+Chair International, said:  “Achieving the ISO 13485 standard is very important for Evac+Chair International as it recognises the expertise of our teams in interpreting the needs of our customers and maintaining quality standards throughout our entire manufacturing process.”

“Achieving the ISO standard will support the business’ growth strategy by opening up new opportunities to develop and manufacture Class 2 Medical Devices for our customers, in the UK and internationally.  This achievement sets us apart as a leading example of manufacturing best practice to the sector.”

Health and safety industry leaders Evac+Chair International have taken up residence at one of London’s most prestigious addresses, The Connaught Hotel.

The hotel, located on Carlos Place, Mayfair, was built in 1897 but has recently undergone an extensive £70 million restoration and renovation project which included a review of its health and safety practices. Particular attention was paid to the hotel’s evacuation procedures, which included the installation of Evac+Chair International’s specialist evacuation chairs.

The chairs have been designed to provide additional aid to anyone who has difficulty descending staircases in the event of an emergency. The evacuation chairs can also be beneficial to assist individuals with physical disabilities, pregnant women or the elderly.

The Maybourne Hotel Group, who own and manage three of the world’s most renowned hotels, Claridge’s, The Berkeley and The Connaught, pride themselves on offering a unique guest experience whilst maintaining the highest levels of health and safety for its guests.

Adrian Richmond, security manager at The Connaught Hotel, commented: “As our hotel welcomes thousands of visitors per year from all around the world, it is of vital importance that we have in place an effective evacuation procedure, which all members of staff are fully trained to successfully complete, in the event of an emergency. The Evac+Chair is an essential part of the procedure, allowing staff to quickly evacuate mobility impaired guests.”

Paul Colder, head of marketing at Evac+Chair International, said: “Evac+Chair International is delighted that such a prestigious and exclusive hotel has chosen to install one of our evacuation chairs. It means that in the event of emergency, guests and employees have a system that will provide assistance to anyone who is mobility impaired to ensure they can evacuate the hotel safely.”

Evac+Chair Mk3 300H

We often hear people asking why the Evac+Chair is the World’s No1 Stairway Evacuation Chair.

To find out, there is an easy to understand PDF highlighting all the reasons that make the Evac+Chair a cut above the rest!

Click here to download the PDF and find out what makes Evac+Chair #1!

EVAC+CHAIR evacuation chairs greatly enhance safety in all evacuation situations as they allow sick, injured or disabled persons nearly immediate evacuation options in emergency situations where seconds count. They are especially important in large sporting venues where emergency responders will have a difficult time locating and reaching incapacitated individuals. As EVAC+CHAIR North America, LLC is the maker of the lightest chair on the market and is designed for simple one person operation, there is less need to find an assistant with sufficient strength to operate the chair. What’s more, EVAC+CHAIR is so intuitive to operate that little training is required.

“We are thrilled to donate the EVAC+CHAIR to the British Columbia Ambulance Service for use in Vancouver, host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics,” said Richard Perl, Vice President of Business Development for EVAC+CHAIR North America. “Our hope is that the chair never has to be used, but if the need arises we are proud that Vancouver, the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, will have access to the best evacuation chair on the market, EVAC+CHAIR.”

About EVAC+CHAIR North America, LLC
Developed in New York City in 1982, EVAC+CHAIR is the global industry standard for lightweight, portable evacuation chairs. Today the company sells internationally to hotels, hospitals, office buildings, schools, assisted living facilities, and residential and commercial high-rise buildings—any multi-story building where any tenant or occupant who needs help for any reason can get down the stairs to safety. Its narrow profile allows first responders and other building occupants to ascend or descend staircases during an emergency without interference, and its unique design allows most able-bodied users to assist anyone with mobility impairments or other conditions in need of help with relative ease.

Click here to learn more about the Evac+Chair…

Source – http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/Olympics_Donation/prweb3633544.htm