Our Linen Chutes Raise The Bar

As with our trash chutes, our linen chutes are better looking, longer lasting, easier to clean, and require less maintenance. Our linen chutes are also outfitted with the only intake door on the market with both front and back stainless panels and skirts.

Linen & Laundry Chutes For Multi-Story Commercial Buildings

CHUTES International linen and laundry chutes are designed to meet the demanding needs of a wide range of commercial and industrial buildings. From hotels and resorts that manage high volumes of linens daily, to hospitals and healthcare facilities where sanitation and code compliance are critical, our chute systems provide a reliable solution for moving materials efficiently between floors. Senior living communities, student housing complexes, and large apartment buildings also benefit from the convenience, safety, and labor savings that an internal chute system delivers. Wherever laundry must be moved quickly and securely in a multi-story environment, CHUTES International provides the durable, code-compliant systems trusted across industries.

Typical Linen Chute Assembly Components:

linen chute section - chutes international

Linen Chute Section

Standard linen chute section for centralized handling of soiled linens. All materials are prefabricated to shop drawing specifications. Expansion joints are provided. These chutes are made standard of 16 gauge impact and corrosion-resistant aluminized steel.

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linen chute discharge door - chutes international

Linen Chute Discharge Door

For built-in wall discharge, a hopper type, self-closing, top-hinged, hopper door is furnished with 165° fusible link. Drain is optional.

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linen chute door - chutes international

Linen Chute Door

Standard hand operated intake, noiseless, self-closing, side hinged, 11⁄2 hour, 250°, U.L. “B” labeled doors meet the standard of the NYC MEA Division.

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linen chute vent top - chutes international

Linen Chute Vent Top

Full diameter vent of the same gauge as chute extending a minimum of 3 feet (per NFPA) above roof with metal safety cap.

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Floor Retainer Flanges

Twenty-two (22) gauge galvanized sheet with flange under the deck at penetration for the retainage of fire stop material.

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Sanitizing Unit

May be located in chute above top intake. Cleans and disinfects the chute interior by manual activation.

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View Our Full Range Of Internal Chutes Products

Linen Chute Features

Access Doors – A stainless steel door (12″x12″) is standard with ‘UL’ Label.

Pass-Thru Door – Located in the discharge room wall. Side hinged, 18″W x 18″H with thru-wall liner.

170-degree Door Swing – Uninterrupted access to chute.

No Rivet or Bolt Protrusions into chute

LINEN INTAKE DOOR SIZES

  • CHUTE Ø
  • 24″
  • 28″
  • 30″
  • 36″
  • WIDTH
  • 18″
  • 21″
  • 21″
  • 24″
  • HEIGHT
  • 18″
  • 21″
  • 21″
  • 24″

HOPPER DISCHARGE DOOR SIZES

  • CHUTE Ø
  • 24″
  • 28″
  • 30″
  • 36″
  • WIDTH
  • 24″
  • 28″
  • 30″
  • 36″
  • HEIGHT
  • 30″
  • 36″
  • 36″
  • 48″
See Our Resource Center For All Linen Chute Component Specs

Frequently Asked Linen & Laundry Chute Questions

Fire Proofing / Rating

CHUTES International™ linen chute systems are designed to limit the spread of fire and smoke through fire-rated construction, self-closing doors, and code-required safety features.

Yes. All commercial linen chute systems are designed and manufactured to comply with NFPA 82 – Standard on Incinerators and Waste and Linen Handling Systems– and applicable International Building Code (IBC) requirements.

CHUTES International™ intake doors are UL-labeled, 1.5-hour fire-rated assemblies that meet NFPA 80/82 and IBC requirements for vertical shafts.

Yes. In accordance with NFPA 82, CHUTES International™ linen chute systems require:

  • Automatic sprinkler protection at the top intake level, every other intake down, and the last intake, and in the discharge room
  • A vent at the top of the chute to relieve heat and smoke during a fire event
    Final requirements are subject to local AHJ approval.

Yes. All systems include a fire-rated hopper-style discharge door designed to contain fire at the collection point and prevent vertical fire spread.

Yes. All CHUTES International™ intake doors are self-closing and self-latching, in full compliance with NFPA 80/82.

Architecture / Installation

We offer linen chutes in standard diameters ranging from 24″, 30″, and 36″. selected based on building type, volume, and operational needs.

The most commonly specified sizes are 24″ and 30″ diameter, particularly for healthcare, hospitality, and multifamily facilities.

Rough openings are typically 4 inches larger than the chute diameter to ensure proper firestopping and structural clearances. Final dimensions are provided during submittals.

CHUTES International™ linen chutes are fabricated from stainless steel for superior durability, corrosion resistance, fire performance, and ease of cleaning.

Yes. Our linen chute systems can be retrofit into existing buildings, subject to structural conditions and local code requirements.

Side-hinged doors ensure reliable self-closing operation, positive latching, and consistent fire-rated performance. Alternate hinge configurations do not meet NFPA 82 requirements.

Operations

Our electronic interlock system prevents multiple intake doors from opening simultaneously, enhancing fire safety, reducing noise, and preventing chute overload. Interlocks are highly recommended and often required in healthcare applications.

Noise reduction measures may include:

  • Proper anchoring and alignment
  • Sound-dampening
  • Hopper stands for impact control at the discharge point
  • Use of our standard isolator pads

Yes. Intake doors are designed to meet ADA requirements, including mounting height, reach range, and operating force.

CHUTES International™ recommends:

  • Stainless steel chute construction
  • Use of linen bags
  • Routine cleaning and inspection
  • Proper ventilation

Maintenance & Support

Annual inspections are recommended at a minimum. Facilities with heavy usage may require more frequent inspections.

Most often, intake door hardware is serviceable and field-replaceable by our service department, minimizing downtime.

Yes. Door handles, closers, and latching hardware can be replaced or upgraded.

Additions & Options

No. We highly recommend a fire-rated hopper-style discharge door, which comes standard on all CHUTES International™ linen chute systems.

Yes. Disinfecting and sanitizing units are strongly recommended for healthcare, senior living, and hospitality facilities to reduce odors, bacteria, and cross-contamination through dry-chute cleaning by our service department.

No; however, linen chutes are considered “limited access” or “restricted access” chutes due to the size of the intake door and its side-hinged opening.

See the following NFPA code:

6.2.1.2 A limited access chute shall be secured either by locking the intake door or the entry door into the service room so that it can be used only by authorized personnel.

Linen Chute Bags should be used as a protective layer to prevent snags and tears or friction, wear, and tear of linens ( reducing costs for replacement linen )

As well as to prevent the spread of pathogens ( like in Nursing homes and Hospitals )

The fire damper door must remain open at all times; closing it will cause chute clogging, which is a fire hazard. But more importantly, due to the following NFPA code:

6.2.3.2.3 The bottom of a linen chute shall be protected by a listed automatic closing or self-closing fire door or fire damper that provides a fire protection rating in accordance with 6.2.3.1.3. 

6.2.3.2.4 Chute discharge doors or fire dampers shall be permitted to be held open by a fusible link

For new construction, these codes must be met to pass inspection and obtain approval for the building’s use. For older buildings, the Fire Marshal must conduct annual inspections to verify that the code requirements are still being met.