Small Elevators

Small elevators are labeled as such to differentiate them from regular, standard-sized passenger and freight elevators commonly seen in commercial and industrial buildings. Thus the concept of small elevators applies to a much wider variety of devices. It goes beyond those of common dumbwaiters and simplistic construction lifts that are used to make it quicker and more convenient to transport light objects or a couple of people up and down buildings instead of going through a flights of stairs. Small elevators may also be used to refer to home elevators, wheelchair lifts, and some passenger elevators used in low-rise buildings.

There are many kinds to choose from, and each of these lifts can easily be modified to suit hoisting and aesthetic requirements.

Small Passenger Elevators

Small passenger elevators are mainly used in private homes and other residential structures. However, many commercial buildings (such as hotels and malls) have been installed with small passenger elevators for the exclusive use of the staff, reserving the use of the regular elevators for guests and visitors. Older elevators of this type are simple and they use folding aluminum bars (or iron cages) for doors. The more modern versions may have passengers enclosed in glass or in color-coordinated panels to enhance the aesthetic features of a building aside from its main purpose of transporting people up and down the building.

Though small passenger elevators are larger than the simple dumbwaiter types, they are still unable to match the hoisting capacity of modern commercial elevators, which can lift up to a dozen people without difficulty.

Dumbwaiters

The dumbwaiter is perhaps the smallest kind of elevator, in terms of size and hoisting capacity. Its main function is to transport small objects (usually food) from one floor to another. Dumbwaiters became popular during the 1900's when those who considered themselves the elite of society had one of these devices installed in their kitchens to facilitate meals in beds. Through the years, more and more people began to use them, and dumbwaiters were also utilized to transport laundry or to move groceries and other small items from the basement garage. Dumbwaiters are still used in the best luxury hotels and multi-level restaurants in the world, and many hospitals and nursing homes still use them to quickly move food and medical supplies without unnecessarily adding to the staff's workload.

Other Advantages of Small Elevators

Though home elevators used to be seen as status symbols and luxury items, most people now consider them convenient devices for the safe transport of not only small items but also the elderly or the physically disabled family members in multi-level residences.
Another advantage of using these elevators is that their installation can be achieved without too much difficulty. This is not only because of their size, but also because the construction of a machine room for these elevators is no longer necessary.
Small elevators can be equipped with fully automatic controls. They may also be furnished with additional safety features such as battery (or generator) backup, door locks, emergency stop buttons, and even a telephone system.
Though these elevators are small, they can be of tremendous help to residential users. They increase the selling price of a home, and provide great assistance to family members who are experiencing difficulties with their mobility.