Who has the best Garage on Pistonheads?
Discussion
RichB said:
Do any of you have fire extinguishers in your garages? I have one in the car but it occurred to me that I should fix a couple ready to hand on the garage wall. But, which type, foam or dry powder?
yes, I have three in the garage, one in the kitchen. they have saved me on two occasions... the first was 20 years ago when I was washing some parts off in a tray of petrol (i know I know...) on the floor in the garage. On the opposite side of the garage, the compressor kicked in and as it did, I watched the petrol vapour set fire across the floor, and light the petrol in the tray, which was about a foot square. On the back of the bench I had a small BCF extinguisher which I grabbed hold of and put out the fire very effectively. Scared me to death, and I went out and bought a powder extinguisher, and was given a CO2 one. That proved to be quite a gift...Roll on to about 5 years ago. Early spring and I got my Laverda out winter hibernation. I put the battery on, turned on the fuel, and got distracted... after a few mins I went back to the bike and hit the start button... What I hadn't realised was the float had stuck in one of the carbs, and petrol had leaked out and ran down the engine onto the garage floor. As I hit the button, the bike backfired, and the whole bike just turned into a ball of flame
I immediately grabbed the large powder extinguisher and tried to put out the fire, which I ALMOST did... but as the extinguisher ran out , the flames erupted again. I ran and got the small CO2 extinguisher and aimed it at the bike... within a second the flames went out, it was VERY VERY effective. I opened the double garage door as by now the garage was filled with thick black smoke. In fact, when the bike caught fire I thought the lights had fused, it went so dark in there so fast.
I pushed the bike outside on the drive, made sure everything was OK, and went into the house. Then the shock hit me, and I am not ashamed to say I cried like a baby... I had never been in shock before. What hit me was the potential loss... my car was next to the bike... the fuel pipe on the bike had started to burn, and if it had, 3 gallon of fuel would have spilled out. the garage is attached to the house, and had a lot of combustible material in it (as many of us have... Paint, thinners, fuel for the mower...) I would have lost Everything.
Next day I went out and bought two BIG CO2 extinguishers... and a powder one for the kitchen (we already had a sall CO2 one as well) The garden hose is always connected outside the garage and the house.
I would strongly advise all of you guys with garages/sheds to go and get yourself a couple of extinguishers and place them in suitable locations... you never know, certainly saved my bacon. As to what type... Well a fireman told me that for car fires with fuel involved, CO2 is very effective, as the gas envelopes the flames, and that is certainly what I found. the powder was only effective up to a point. I have both, to cover all bases, and also garden hose on standby.
In real terms the damage to the bike was minimal...
Sorry for the wibble on and thread drift... But I think its an Important subject to bring to peoples attention.
RichB said:
ny idea what size you have? Having never used one I have no idea what's required for a garage. I only ever see the massive one's that are dotted around my offices!
Mate's garage was commercial so he had the larger 5kg CO2 it extinguished the fire (about the size of a normal bonfire) in a few blasts - so 2kg probably would have worked.I would add that he regularly had them serviced after I tackled a previous fire and after throwing open the burning car's doors the extinguisher only managed a pathetic fart (fortunately the second one worked) hence me buying the cheap 9kg dry powder as it's cheaper to replace them than service them.
I have all 3 types of extinguisher. Water, Powder and CO2. They all have their uses and mine are the 9kg ones.
I have used all 3 types over the years as farm equipment is prone to fires. Beware of the CO2 if other flammable materials are in the area of the fire as it can be like using a leaf blower and spread the fire! (been there, done that.)
Having extinguishers serviced has tended to become obsolete. It costs so much that it is now cheaper to just replace the extinguishers every few years or when they are used. It was my self employed service engineer that advised me to go down that route.
I and my sons now know to do anything risky outside with an extinguisher to hand. If need be it can burn out and do little or no other damage.
I have used all 3 types over the years as farm equipment is prone to fires. Beware of the CO2 if other flammable materials are in the area of the fire as it can be like using a leaf blower and spread the fire! (been there, done that.)
Having extinguishers serviced has tended to become obsolete. It costs so much that it is now cheaper to just replace the extinguishers every few years or when they are used. It was my self employed service engineer that advised me to go down that route.
I and my sons now know to do anything risky outside with an extinguisher to hand. If need be it can burn out and do little or no other damage.
I can finally contribute to this thread! Here is my tiny, asbestos roofed, prefab garage complete with dodgy wiring!
Obviously it's crap and is only good for storing the car. I plan on demolishing it and having a new garage built in the future. I don't have room to build a double as it'll steal too much room from the garden.
I want to have a back wall with a bench and tool storage and want to be able to work on both sides of the car at once. Would 6x4 metres be ample for what I want?
Does anyone have a picture of their car in a garage around that size?
Obviously it's crap and is only good for storing the car. I plan on demolishing it and having a new garage built in the future. I don't have room to build a double as it'll steal too much room from the garden.
I want to have a back wall with a bench and tool storage and want to be able to work on both sides of the car at once. Would 6x4 metres be ample for what I want?
Does anyone have a picture of their car in a garage around that size?
Edited by Rickyy on Tuesday 13th June 22:54
Rickyy said:
I can finally contribute to this thread! Here is my tiny, asbestos roofed, prefab garage complete with dodgy wiring!
Obviously it's crap and is only good for storing the car. I plan on demolishing it and having a new garage built in the future. I don't have room to build a double as it'll steal too much room from the garden.
I want to have a back wall with a bench and tool storage and want to be able to work on both sides of the car at once. Would 6x4 metres be ample for what I want?
Does anyone have a picture of their car in a garage around that size?
First off - nice car.Obviously it's crap and is only good for storing the car. I plan on demolishing it and having a new garage built in the future. I don't have room to build a double as it'll steal too much room from the garden.
I want to have a back wall with a bench and tool storage and want to be able to work on both sides of the car at once. Would 6x4 metres be ample for what I want?
Does anyone have a picture of their car in a garage around that size?
Edited by Rickyy on Tuesday 13th June 22:54
Secondly IT ISN'T CRAP. You've got a GARAGE! Many blokes would kill to be in your position.
You could transform that for next to nothing - ruthlessly empty out everything that doesn't relate to cars, paint the walls white, paint the floor, buy a cheap roller cabinet from Halfords and you've got a garage worthy of an entry to Pistonheads best garage competition.
So said:
Rickyy said:
I can finally contribute to this thread! Here is my tiny, asbestos roofed, prefab garage complete with dodgy wiring!
Obviously it's crap and is only good for storing the car. I plan on demolishing it and having a new garage built in the future. I don't have room to build a double as it'll steal too much room from the garden.
I want to have a back wall with a bench and tool storage and want to be able to work on both sides of the car at once. Would 6x4 metres be ample for what I want?
Does anyone have a picture of their car in a garage around that size?
First off - nice car.Obviously it's crap and is only good for storing the car. I plan on demolishing it and having a new garage built in the future. I don't have room to build a double as it'll steal too much room from the garden.
I want to have a back wall with a bench and tool storage and want to be able to work on both sides of the car at once. Would 6x4 metres be ample for what I want?
Does anyone have a picture of their car in a garage around that size?
Edited by Rickyy on Tuesday 13th June 22:54
Secondly IT ISN'T CRAP. You've got a GARAGE! Many blokes would kill to be in your position.
You could transform that for next to nothing - ruthlessly empty out everything that doesn't relate to cars, paint the walls white, paint the floor, buy a cheap roller cabinet from Halfords and you've got a garage worthy of an entry to Pistonheads best garage competition.
It can be what you want it to be!
Rickyy said:
I can finally contribute to this thread! Here is my tiny, asbestos roofed, prefab garage complete with dodgy wiring!
Obviously it's crap and is only good for storing the car. I plan on demolishing it and having a new garage built in the future. I don't have room to build a double as it'll steal too much room from the garden.
I want to have a back wall with a bench and tool storage and want to be able to work on both sides of the car at once. Would 6x4 metres be ample for what I want?
Does anyone have a picture of their car in a garage around that size?
Mine was originally like that, though all asbestos, not just the roof, and with no wiring at all. Obviously it's crap and is only good for storing the car. I plan on demolishing it and having a new garage built in the future. I don't have room to build a double as it'll steal too much room from the garden.
I want to have a back wall with a bench and tool storage and want to be able to work on both sides of the car at once. Would 6x4 metres be ample for what I want?
Does anyone have a picture of their car in a garage around that size?
I think that the 4M width should be fine for you, though you may still not be able to fully open both doors, but the length may be an issue, especially if you want to put a bench in.
Mine is 3.75M internal width, and 5.9 length. Have a couple of pics as requested: -
As you can see, there's not much room at the sides to play with though, if I manage to park centrally, I can open all the car's doors onto their first check. the problem is the length, where I have just enough room to get by the rear of the car, not quite enough at the front when the door's closed.
The door at the rear of the first picture leads to a separate work place where all my garbage is stored, such as the compressor and a work bench for all those messing about things which get done. It's obviously the same width as the garage though just 1.35M deep, which allows for a bench, just a kitchen worktop, and enough room for other bits.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is try to go as big as you can now, you won't get another go at it without involving serious expense.
I have an old website up HERE about the building of it. (Beware pop ups) The workshop has now been altered quite a bit since this was uploaded to include things which, at the time, I thought were essential. No pics as it's in a bit of a mess at the moment..
daveenty said:
Mine was originally like that, though all asbestos, not just the roof, and with no wiring at all.
I think that the 4M width should be fine for you, though you may still not be able to fully open both doors, but the length may be an issue, especially if you want to put a bench in.
Mine is 3.75M internal width, and 5.9 length. Have a couple of pics as requested: -
As you can see, there's not much room at the sides to play with though, if I manage to park centrally, I can open all the car's doors onto their first check. the problem is the length, where I have just enough room to get by the rear of the car, not quite enough at the front when the door's closed.
The door at the rear of the first picture leads to a separate work place where all my garbage is stored, such as the compressor and a work bench for all those messing about things which get done. It's obviously the same width as the garage though just 1.35M deep, which allows for a bench, just a kitchen worktop, and enough room for other bits.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is try to go as big as you can now, you won't get another go at it without involving serious expense.
I have an old website up HERE about the building of it. (Beware pop ups) The workshop has now been altered quite a bit since this was uploaded to include things which, at the time, I thought were essential. No pics as it's in a bit of a mess at the moment..
What's the grey machine with the red button, front right?I think that the 4M width should be fine for you, though you may still not be able to fully open both doors, but the length may be an issue, especially if you want to put a bench in.
Mine is 3.75M internal width, and 5.9 length. Have a couple of pics as requested: -
As you can see, there's not much room at the sides to play with though, if I manage to park centrally, I can open all the car's doors onto their first check. the problem is the length, where I have just enough room to get by the rear of the car, not quite enough at the front when the door's closed.
The door at the rear of the first picture leads to a separate work place where all my garbage is stored, such as the compressor and a work bench for all those messing about things which get done. It's obviously the same width as the garage though just 1.35M deep, which allows for a bench, just a kitchen worktop, and enough room for other bits.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is try to go as big as you can now, you won't get another go at it without involving serious expense.
I have an old website up HERE about the building of it. (Beware pop ups) The workshop has now been altered quite a bit since this was uploaded to include things which, at the time, I thought were essential. No pics as it's in a bit of a mess at the moment..
daveenty said:
Mine was originally like that, though all asbestos, not just the roof, and with no wiring at all.
I think that the 4M width should be fine for you, though you may still not be able to fully open both doors, but the length may be an issue, especially if you want to put a bench in.
Mine is 3.75M internal width, and 5.9 length. Have a couple of pics as requested: -
As you can see, there's not much room at the sides to play with though, if I manage to park centrally, I can open all the car's doors onto their first check. the problem is the length, where I have just enough room to get by the rear of the car, not quite enough at the front when the door's closed.
The door at the rear of the first picture leads to a separate work place where all my garbage is stored, such as the compressor and a work bench for all those messing about things which get done. It's obviously the same width as the garage though just 1.35M deep, which allows for a bench, just a kitchen worktop, and enough room for other bits.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is try to go as big as you can now, you won't get another go at it without involving serious expense.
I have an old website up HERE about the building of it. (Beware pop ups) The workshop has now been altered quite a bit since this was uploaded to include things which, at the time, I thought were essential. No pics as it's in a bit of a mess at the moment..
Thanks for the pictures! Length is kind of infinite, so adding another meter isn't an issue. I'm guessing an E-Class is a similar width to my Nissan, so if I aim for 4m internal width, it looks as if I should have enough room for brake and suspension work.I think that the 4M width should be fine for you, though you may still not be able to fully open both doors, but the length may be an issue, especially if you want to put a bench in.
Mine is 3.75M internal width, and 5.9 length. Have a couple of pics as requested: -
As you can see, there's not much room at the sides to play with though, if I manage to park centrally, I can open all the car's doors onto their first check. the problem is the length, where I have just enough room to get by the rear of the car, not quite enough at the front when the door's closed.
The door at the rear of the first picture leads to a separate work place where all my garbage is stored, such as the compressor and a work bench for all those messing about things which get done. It's obviously the same width as the garage though just 1.35M deep, which allows for a bench, just a kitchen worktop, and enough room for other bits.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is try to go as big as you can now, you won't get another go at it without involving serious expense.
I have an old website up HERE about the building of it. (Beware pop ups) The workshop has now been altered quite a bit since this was uploaded to include things which, at the time, I thought were essential. No pics as it's in a bit of a mess at the moment..
Won't be for a few years yet, plenty of work to do inside the house for now.
Although I've just bought a shed, so half of the crap in the picture will be gone. I'm planning to replace the roof as it leaks and give the walls and floor a coat of paint.
One of the jobs in the house is a rewire, so the garage will be getting a proper supply, instead of the 2.5mm T+E suspended in mid air, fed from a fused spur in the kitchen that it currently has!
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