Historic document

[SeaBass]

I recently came across a reference to the creation of a “Sedan Chair staircase” in a hospital.  It was an old archived document which was part of a set of fire safety upgrade proposals.  I’ve never heard the term  before. Can anyone enlighten me as to what a Sedan Chair Staircase is?

[Midland Retty]

A sedan chair is a mode of transport similar to a Rickshaw or "Litter" where a VIP or distinguished toff would be carried aloft on a chair mounted to a platform carried by two or more men  . Sedan Chairs were normally mounted in an enclosed cabin, but some featured open topped platforms and even carried beds!

I presume then that in this context that a "sedan chair staircase" would have been designed to allow the passage of an open top "litter" carrrying a bed - basically a very luxurious stretcher - probably for VIP or distinguished patients perhaps!

I should imagine the litter / sedan chair / platform would be quite large and unweildy so a sedan chair staircase was probably very wide!!!