Frequently Asked Questions

While some commonly used car sizes are shown on this website, most dumbwaiters have some unique, custom characteristics such as floor-to-floor height.  The dumbwaiter size can always be customized to fit the material to be transported.  Typical shaft clearances shown on this website remain constant for different car sizes selected.

A decision must be made regarding whether the dumbwaiter will stop at floor level [typically for using carts] or at counter height [hand loading of materials]. Floor loading lifts require a pit. Counter height load lifts typically do not require a pit.

Floor loading medium duty units using vertical slide-up car gates require an 8″ pit (minimum), heavy duty units require a 16″ pit (minimum), to accommodate the slide-up equipment. Floor loading dumbwaiters using vertical bi-parting car gates require a pit that is ½ the car height + 6″ (minimum) to accommodate the bi-parting equipment.

The A.N.S.I. A17.1 code does NOT require a sump pump. However; check with your local building codes.

The machine is typically located inside the shaft. For floor level loading units the location is inside the shaft above the upper landing. For counter height loading units the machine is inside the shaft, either below the lower level landing or at the top of the shaft.

Loads are different depending on the equipment and capacity. Almost all the loads are carried to the bottom of the hoistway through the guide rails. Guide rail mounting brackets are bolted into the floor slab edges and impose only incidental lateral loads [50 lbs. or less].

On most dumbwaiters the machine beams are supported by the guide rails, carrying those loads to the bottom of the hoistway through the guide rails. On very large material lifts, the machine beams may need to be supported by the building structure at the machine location.

If a fire rated floor is pierced by the shaft, a fire rated shaft [usually 2 hour rating] is required. The shaft walls are usually stud and drywall or masonry block construction. In the rare case of poured concrete shaft construction, contact Matot engineering as special rough opening coordination will be required.

If the shaft is fire rated, the hoistway entrance doors must be fire rated. Matot doors have a UL “B” label rating which is a 90 minute fire rating.

A three phase power supply is always preferred. If only single phase is available, a minimum 220 volt supply should be provided. Electrical contractor should provide a 30 amp. fused disconnect at the machine location with a dual element, time delay fuse.

Most installation of dumbwaiters is through local elevator contractors with some being done by electrical or material handling contractors with qualified installation personnel. Matot can always recommend a qualified local distributor.

Matot can sell directly to general contractors and end users but it then becomes incumbent on the purchaser to secure qualified local installation.

Loads are different depending on the equipment and capacity. Almost all the loads are carried to the bottom of the hoistway through the guide rails. Guide rail mounting brackets are bolted into the floor slab edges and impose only incidental lateral loads [50 lbs. or less].

On most dumbwaiters the machine beams are supported by the guide rails, carrying those loads to the bottom of the hoistway through the guide rails. On very large material lifts, the machine beams may need to be supported by the building structure at the machine location.

If a fire rated floor is pierced by the shaft, a fire rated shaft [usually 2 hour rating] is required. The shaft walls are usually stud and drywall or masonry block construction. In the rare case of poured concrete shaft construction, contact Matot engineering as special rough opening coordination will be required.

If the shaft is fire rated, the hoistway entrance doors must be fire rated. Matot doors have a UL “B” label rating which is a 90 minute fire rating.

A three phase power supply is always preferred. If only single phase is available, a minimum 220 volt supply should be provided. Electrical contractor should provide a 30 amp. fused disconnect at the machine location with a dual element, time delay fuse.

Matot can provide shop drawings for approval within a week of placement of an order. Matot has no control of the time taken to approve the shop drawings. When clear approved shop drawings are returned to Matot, equipment can be scheduled for production and shipment. Typical lead times are 6-8 weeks for standard equipment, 8-10 weeks for complex equipment [high rise, high speed, power doors].

While some commonly used car sizes are shown on this website, most dumbwaiters have some unique, custom characteristics such as floor-to-floor height. The dumbwaiter size can always be customized to fit the material to be transported. Typical shaft clearances shown on this website remain constant for different car sizes selected.

Most installation of dumbwaiters is through local elevator contractors with some being done by electrical or material handling contractors with qualified installation personnel. Matot can always recommend a qualified local distributor.

Matot can sell directly to general contractors and end users but it then becomes incumbent on the purchaser to secure qualified local installation.

Matot can provide shop drawings for approval within a week of placement of an order. Matot has no control of the time taken to approve the shop drawings. When clear approved shop drawings are returned to Matot, equipment can be scheduled for production and shipment. Typical lead times are 6-8 weeks for standard equipment, 8-10 weeks for complex equipment [high rise, high speed, power doors].

The standard Matot warranty covers the replacement of defective equipment, excluding labor, for 1 year from date of shipment from the Matot plant. Extended warranties are available for up to 5 years.

Matot recommends, at the minimum, a quarterly maintenance contract with the installation company or another qualified local maintenance provider. The same providers should be used for required repairs. Matot can recommend local providers of maintenance and / or repairs.

If a fire rated floor is pierced by the shaft, a fire rated shaft [usually 2 hour rating] is required. The shaft walls are usually stud and drywall or masonry block construction. In the rare case of poured concrete shaft construction, contact Matot engineering as special rough opening coordination will be required.

A three phase power supply is always preferred. If only single phase is available, a minimum 220 volt supply should be provided. Electrical contractor should provide a 30 amp. fused disconnect at the machine location with a dual element, time delay fuse.