Delivery access for commercial refrigeration: doors, stairs and lifts

Measure the whole route, not just the final room

Walk from where the vehicle will stop to the final position and note every restriction. The narrowest point on the route decides what is possible. Measure clear openings — door frame to door frame with the door fully open, not the wall opening — and note door closers, handles and hinges that reduce the gap.

• Gate, shutter and entrance widths and heights.
• Corridor widths, and especially corners: a long cabinet needs space to pivot.
• Stair width, headroom under beams and landings, number of turns and the size of each landing.
• Lift door width and height, internal car depth, diagonal and rated load.
• Ramps, steps and thresholds where a trolley may tip.
• Ceiling height in the final room, including hoods, pipes and lights.

Compare against the crated and uncrated size

Ask the supplier for both the packed dimensions and weight, and the bare cabinet dimensions. Crating protects the unit but adds size; if the crate will not fit, the unit may need to be uncrated outside, which needs a clean, dry, protected space.

Height matters on stairs and through doors. A tall upright cannot always be tilted to get through a low opening, and some units should not be tilted far or laid on their side at all. Ask the supplier how far the cabinet can be tilted for handling.

Options when the route is tight

• Remove doors, handles or legs before moving, if the manufacturer allows it, and refit on site.
• Remove the room's door leaf or frame temporarily.
• Use a different entrance, such as a rear service door or a window opening for small units, with proper lifting equipment.
• Choose a different format: two narrower cabinets, or undercounter units instead of one tall upright.
• For very large items, arrange a crane or hoist with qualified operators and permission from the building.

Lifts and buildings with rules

Malls, hospitals and office buildings often have a dedicated goods lift and fixed delivery windows. Book them in advance, and confirm the lift's rated load against the packed weight plus the handling team and trolley. Passenger lifts are usually off limits for heavy goods; even where allowed, protect the car's walls and floor.

Some buildings require a permit to work, security clearance for the delivery crew or floor protection along the route. Ask facility management early.

Handling on the day

Commercial cabinets are heavy and top-heavy. Use the right number of trained people and proper equipment: stair-climbing trolleys, straps, furniture skates, floor protection. Move units upright wherever possible. Do not lift by doors, handles, grilles or the top-mounted refrigeration housing.

If a unit had to be tilted or laid down, tell the installer, because it affects how long the unit should stand before it is switched on.

• Clear the route of people, wet floors and obstacles before the move.
• Keep the cabinet strapped on the trolley; never let it rest on a stair edge.
• Protect floors, lift interiors and door frames with boards or blankets.
• Inspect the unit for transit damage before signing the delivery note, and photograph any dents.

Once it is in place

Position the unit with its clearances, level it using the adjustable feet or castors, and lock castors. Leave it standing for the time the manual specifies before plugging in. Keep the packaging until the unit has run successfully, in case it needs to go back.

Write down the final route measurements and what was removed to get the unit in. When the equipment is eventually serviced, replaced or moved to a new outlet, that note saves the next team from measuring everything again and tells them whether doors or frames will need to come off.