Lifts

The words ‘dumb waiter’ literally mean an object that serves as a waiter, carrying food or dishes between the kitchen and dining area. These devices, which are in essence small versions of passenger lifts, were conceived in the Victorian times to aid the movement of food, cutlery or any other similar items between floors. Today they are used for a similar purpose.

A dumb waiter can help save valuable time in a restaurant or hotel. It takes time for employees to constantly ferry meals and dishes between the kitchen and tables. Also, using the stairs can potentially lead to accidents. The installation of a dumb waiter means that kitchen staff can remain in the kitchen, while waiting staff remain in the dining area. All communication between the two areas is conducted via the dumb waiter. The employees of the establishment have more time to undertake more important tasks.

A hotel is another location that would benefit hugely from the installation of a dumb waiter. Many hotels install service lifts, to allow employees to carry trolleys laden with goods between floors. This is an ideal solution for many locations, but is not always practical. Many smaller hotels however cannot justify the installation of a service lift. A dumb waiter is a cheaper and often more suitable method of transportation within a hotel. It would allow employees to quickly and safely undertake the tedious and painstaking task of cleaning all the rooms in the hotel to a high standard. The reputation of a hotel could ride upon the speed and quality of this service, so the installation of a dumb waiter could be extremely useful, and it could prove to be a valuable asset. It is important to ensure the safety of employees, and by avoiding staircases this will significantly decrease the potential risk of accident and injury.

Practical and aesthetic factors must be carefully considered when designing and installing a dumb waiter. Efforts are made to ensure the lift fits the users requirements, and that it fits seamlessly into its environment. The height of the building must be considered when designing the lift shaft, and aspects such as lift décor and methods of controlling the car must also be taken into account. Perhaps the single most important thing to consider is that the lift complies with strict government safety regulations, to ensure the safety and well being of employees who use it.