If you are thinking about hosting a vending machine, the first practical question is usually whether you have room for one. Most vending machine space requirements come down to five things: a level patch of floor, enough clearance around the machine, a standard power outlet nearby, flooring that can handle the weight, and a clear path from the delivery vehicle to the final spot. Get those right and installation day is simple. Here is how to check each one before you talk to an operator.
Vending machine space requirements at a glance
Every model is a little different, so confirm exact measurements with your operator. What you can do ahead of time is pick a spot or two and look at them with these questions in mind:
- Floor space: Is there a flat, open area along a wall that will not block a walkway, door or exit?
- Clearance: Is there room for air to move around the machine and for people to stand in front of it?
- Power: Is there a standard wall outlet close enough that no extension cord is needed?
- Flooring: Can the floor take a heavy, fully stocked cabinet without damage?
- Access: Can the machine get from the street through every door, hallway and elevator to the spot?
Floor space and vending machine dimensions planning
Start with the footprint. Ask the operator for the width, depth and height of the model they plan to place, then measure your chosen spot. Good vending machine dimensions planning also accounts for the front door: on many machines it swings open for restocking and service, so the space in front needs to stay clear enough for it to open fully.
Think about traffic flow too. A machine works best where people already pass, such as a break room, lobby or waiting area, but it should not narrow a corridor or create a line that blocks an exit. Check with your landlord, strata or building manager about any rules for the area you have in mind.
Clearance around the machine
Refrigerated machines move heat out of the cabinet, usually through vents at the back or bottom. Pushing the machine tight against a wall or into a closed alcove makes it work harder. Ask the operator how much gap the model needs behind and beside it. In front, leave space for someone to stand comfortably at the touchscreen without bumping into a door swing or furniture.
The vending machine power outlet
Most smart vending machines plug into a standard wall outlet. What matters is placement and reliability rather than special wiring.
- The outlet should be close enough for the machine's own cord to reach. Extension cords and power bars are generally a poor choice for a refrigerated appliance.
- Ask the operator whether the model should avoid sharing a circuit with heavy loads like microwaves, kettles or space heaters. An electrician or building manager can tell you what else is on that circuit.
- Avoid outlets controlled by a wall switch or timer. The machine needs to stay on around the clock to keep drinks cold and stay connected.
A Smartec machine connects over cellular, so you do not need to provide Wi-Fi or a network cable. Power is the only utility it needs from you.
Flooring that can take the weight
A stocked machine is heavy, and that weight rests on a few small levelling feet. Concrete, tile and commercial vinyl usually handle this well. Thick carpet can make levelling difficult, and some hardwood or laminate can dent, so ask whether a floor protector can go underneath. If the spot is on an upper floor of an older building, ask your landlord or strata whether there are any load concerns.
Doorways, hallways and delivery access
This is the step people most often forget. The machine travels upright on a dolly or pallet jack from the delivery vehicle to its final spot. Walk the route yourself and look for anything that could stop it:
- Door widths along the whole path, including inner doors that do not open fully
- Tight corners, narrow hallways and low overhead features
- Stairs or steps with no ramp or elevator alternative
- Elevator size, and whether a service elevator must be booked
- Parking or a loading zone for the delivery vehicle, plus any building rules on move-in times
Many buildings in Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey have a property manager who coordinates elevator bookings and deliveries. Letting them know early helps avoid a rescheduled installation. Photos of the route and the spot also help the operator plan before anyone arrives.
What vending machine installation looks like with Smartec
With Smartec Vending, the machine, delivery and vending machine installation are free to the host location, with no purchase, lease or monthly fee. We place the machine, then handle stocking, restocking, servicing and repairs. Your location earns a share of the revenue from every sale, and that share is discussed for each location.
You also have a say in what goes inside. Browse the range of drinks and snacks on our products page, or see which kinds of spaces suit a machine on our solutions page.
A quick pre-visit checklist
- One or two possible spots chosen, measured and photographed
- A standard outlet within cord reach, not on a switch
- Room for ventilation and for the front door to open
- Delivery route walked, with notes on doors and elevators
- Landlord, strata or property manager informed
Ready to see if your space works? Smartec currently serves Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey and is expanding across the Lower Mainland. Send your photos and notes through the contact form to request a free machine, and we will go over the details with you.