Safety should always come first when you operate a dumbwaiter or any lift
A dumbwaiter is a mini-elevator that transports items instead of people. These items include food, tools, laundry, and other products. Dumbwaiters are valuable for both in-home, residential and commercial use. A dumbwaiter can make it more convenient for restaurant workers to transport large trays of food to customers. A dumbwaiter can make it easier for a person with limited mobility to transport things within their homes such as groceries, laundry, or cleaning supplies. With any lift, there is a safe and unsafe way to use them. Our lifts are incredibly safe because our experienced technicians install them, and they have backup safety features. However, it’s also up to the owner of the dumbwaiter to safely operate the lift. Here are some useful and helpful tips on how to do so.
Dumbwaiters With Interlocks Enhance Your Safety
Within some older buildings and homes, antique dumbwaiters may be present. However, they may not come with interlocks as a modern dumbwaiter does. An interlock prevents you or anyone else in the house from opening any access doors while the lift is still in motion or at a different landing. The safety tip that we recommend for the lack of locks is updating your older dumbwaiter if it doesn’t come with interlocks and is a hazard in any way.
Never Take on a DIY Dumbwaiter Installation Project
We recommend that you hire a professional to do any type of lift installation. Hiring a licensed and certified professional ensures that there are no hiccups, and the installation process goes smoothly and safely. It’s incredibly frustrating to spend a lot of time and money on a project and have it not work due to being installed improperly. It’s one thing to take up gardening but another thing to take on installing a lift.
Pay Attention to the Weight Limit
Just as elevators have weight limits, so do dumbwaiters. Be careful of how many items you’re loading on there. Weight limits vary depending on if you’re using the lift for residential use versus commercial use. Our two manufacturers, Matot and Inclinator, have different weight restrictions. Of course, our technicians will explain the essentials of how to use your lift safely. But if you ever forget, always refer to the manual. Never throw it away.
Other Dumbwaiter Safety Tips
- Let your lift rest between trips if possible
- If you use your dumbwaiter to transport food and food spills, clean it based on what the manual says
- Maintain annual service and maintenance
- Let children know that dumbwaiters are not toys
Preferred Elevator: We’re On the Up and Up!
For 14 years, Preferred Elevator has served residents in Central Maryland, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. You can rely on our experienced home installation team and quality products.
For our commercial elevator clients, we also provide annual inspections of your equipment to adhere to standards established by the state of Maryland. During these inspections, we make sure that your commercial mobility product is functioning correctly and efficiently. We’ll also go over all safety devices and customized features offered within your plan!
Get in touch with us! Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8 am -5 pm. Reach us by phone at 410-238-2555, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
