Inspection pit in a domestic garage - 'legal'?
Discussion
The house we're in has an inspection pit in the garage, but which is currently completely filled in with loose hardcore.
Are there any legal and/or insurance reasons why it can't be recommissioned? I realise that a pit isn't suitable for many DIY jobs, but just occasionally it could prove useful...
Are there any legal and/or insurance reasons why it can't be recommissioned? I realise that a pit isn't suitable for many DIY jobs, but just occasionally it could prove useful...
bimsb6 said:
Be aware pits are extremely dangerous as exhaust fumes/ petrol fumes will settle in the pit and need to be cleared before entering , a fan in the pit should be enough to keep it safe .
This,I know a guy who died after someone messing about ignited petrol fumes that had settled in the pit he was working in.finlo said:
This,I know a guy who died after someone messing about ignited petrol fumes that had settled in the pit he was working in.
Thanks for the replies - though this one has put me off the idea, somewhat
I have no idea how deep the pit is - it would be just my luck for the previous owner to have been 4'6" tall
Come the summer, I think I'll try removing enough 'filler' to gauge the quality of construction - side lining etc.Cheers
Pits are rubbish!
The amount of jobs you can actually do is limited generally. Most jobs. (Brakes, Suspension etc ) Require the wheels off a car.
There's the issue with fumes settling in them. And a Fan is not a substitute!
Also there's NO escape route. So if there's a fire at the end where you get out. You're buggered. If the car you're underneath catches fire. You're buggered.
There's a reason why you don't see them in proper workshops anymore.
The amount of jobs you can actually do is limited generally. Most jobs. (Brakes, Suspension etc ) Require the wheels off a car.
There's the issue with fumes settling in them. And a Fan is not a substitute!
Also there's NO escape route. So if there's a fire at the end where you get out. You're buggered. If the car you're underneath catches fire. You're buggered.
There's a reason why you don't see them in proper workshops anymore.
Rich_W said:
Pits are rubbish!
The amount of jobs you can actually do is limited generally. Most jobs. (Brakes, Suspension etc ) Require the wheels off a car.
There's the issue with fumes settling in them. And a Fan is not a substitute!
Also there's NO escape route. So if there's a fire at the end where you get out. You're buggered. If the car you're underneath catches fire. You're buggered.
There's a reason why you don't see them in proper workshops anymore.
You are quite correct a fan is no substitute for a pit . The amount of jobs you can actually do is limited generally. Most jobs. (Brakes, Suspension etc ) Require the wheels off a car.
There's the issue with fumes settling in them. And a Fan is not a substitute!
Also there's NO escape route. So if there's a fire at the end where you get out. You're buggered. If the car you're underneath catches fire. You're buggered.
There's a reason why you don't see them in proper workshops anymore.
I fell down one once, back in the 90's when I had a short term job in a garage. Hurt quite a bit as I scraped the backs of my legs on the edge of the pit as I went in.
As said above, they are a bit inflexible really, they're ok, but you're limited as to where you can place your jack/axle stands, you can't vary the height, for instance to get the wheel hubs at a reasonable working height, and so on.
No substitute for a proper ramp, but they have some uses I think.
As said above, they are a bit inflexible really, they're ok, but you're limited as to where you can place your jack/axle stands, you can't vary the height, for instance to get the wheel hubs at a reasonable working height, and so on.
No substitute for a proper ramp, but they have some uses I think.
^^^^ what Red slr said
if you're serious about working on cars and do enough to justify the expense then a lift would be a good option.
personally: i hate pit's!! if not done right they can fill with water, are uncomfortable. potentially dangerous, the list goes on. really show be for inspection purposes only, even then it's only commercial garages (bus depot's etc) that could justify the space as they arer doing inspections all the time.
get a lift, if you can
if you're serious about working on cars and do enough to justify the expense then a lift would be a good option.
personally: i hate pit's!! if not done right they can fill with water, are uncomfortable. potentially dangerous, the list goes on. really show be for inspection purposes only, even then it's only commercial garages (bus depot's etc) that could justify the space as they arer doing inspections all the time.
get a lift, if you can
My garage has a pit, put in when a previous owner extended the garage about 25 years ago. It was a couple of years after I'd bought the place before I looked under the cover (what is a proper cover, by the way? Mine has some solid looking planks across it). Fortunately there were no dead bodies down there. There is a sump pump because, despite being tanked when it was built, it is below the water table and if any water does get in (which it will) there's nowhere for it to drain to anyway.
Stories like those above are sufficient for me to ignore its existence but I don't really want to fall through the planks if they rot
Stories like those above are sufficient for me to ignore its existence but I don't really want to fall through the planks if they rot
Nothing much to add to the above, apart from experience Jobbo is spot on - it may have been filled in due to filling up with water all the time.
My parents have one which my old man put in during the 60's. I think he ballsed up and went through a land drain. Even though this was rectified (he said) he ended up digging it double depth and putting a 'false' floor in, so when it fills up you cant tell. Also, I seem to remember that the metal frames tend to rust/rot and need replacing after a while.
Pits are definitely a bit rubbish, but they're infinitely better than nothing at all...
P
I remember when I was a kid my dad built a pit in his garage for working on his London taxi (at the time), he made a nice job of it, but it was constantly filling up with water which he had to bail out from time to time. I suppose you could put a large plastic liner in if you were making one.
Regarding the exhaust gases, just don't start the car....simple.
Overall, probably not worth the bother unless you are going to use it a lot.
OP.....Maybe there's a dead body under there like in Gail's bedroom in Corrie?
Regarding the exhaust gases, just don't start the car....simple.
Overall, probably not worth the bother unless you are going to use it a lot.
OP.....Maybe there's a dead body under there like in Gail's bedroom in Corrie?
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff