Service lift
Dumbwaiter lifts for everything that moves between floors but people.
A dumbwaiter is a compact service lift that carries food, laundry, documents and small stock between floors so staff do not have to. FTS supplies and installs them for restaurants, hotels, villas, clinics and shops, sized to the opening you have.
At a glance
| Loading | Counter-height or floor-level, confirmed at the survey |
|---|---|
| Car | Stainless steel with one or more shelves |
| Doors | Bi-parting hatch doors at each landing |
| Typical buildings | Restaurants, hotels, villas, clinics, shops |
Typical figures. Final capacity and configuration are confirmed after the site survey.
Where it fits
- Restaurant kitchens serving upper or lower floors
- Hotels and serviced apartments moving laundry and room service
- Villas with the kitchen on a different floor
- Clinics, offices and shops moving files and stock
Design & configuration options
- Shelf count and car size to suit trays, crates or laundry bags
- Counter-height loading in kitchens, floor-level loading for trolleys
- Stainless steel car and hatch doors that are simple to clean
- Call and send buttons at each landing with a car-position indicator
See the cabin design collection
What to consider
What it will carry
Hot food, laundry and documents have different car, shelf and finish needs.
Shaft or enclosure
A dumbwaiter needs a small shaft or a self-supporting enclosure between the floors it serves.
Landing height
Counter-height loading saves bending in kitchens; floor-level loading suits trolleys and heavier items.
Hygiene
In food settings the car, doors and sills should be easy to wipe down, which is why stainless steel is standard.
Common questions
What is a dumbwaiter?
A dumbwaiter is a small goods-only lift, usually loaded at counter height, that moves food, laundry, documents or stock between floors. It is not designed to carry people.
Can a dumbwaiter be added to an existing restaurant or villa?
Often, yes. It needs a small shaft or an enclosure between the floors it serves and a power supply nearby. We check the available space at a free survey and confirm the size and route in the quotation.
Does a dumbwaiter need maintenance?
Yes. Like any lift it needs periodic preventive maintenance, and we offer this with every installation.
Next step
Tell us about your building.
Share a few details and we will arrange a free site survey, then follow up with a clear, itemized written quotation.