30 years ago I worked in several shops that had pits in the floor and I
think some of the concerns here are overstated.
A pit that is properly placed in a shop or garage with good lighting,
ventilation, is kept clean and has good access (steps) can be just as safe
(or in some cases safer) that a lift. Explosion-proof fans are usually not
necessary, some form of positive air flow at floor level is usually enough
to prevent combustable or hazardous gases from accumulating in the pit.
A major concern I've always had with shops in general and pits especially is
cleanliness. I've always felt pits should NOT have drains, as it is too
easy for them to become the poor-man's oil disposal system (and that's where
you can get in trouble with not only fumes but the EPA). ANY drain in a
shop has the potential of letting combustable fluids build-up/back-up and
cause an explosion. For example, you spill some gas or oil on the floor and
hose it down with some industrial-strength (caustic) floor cleaner. Unless
you run alot of water, there's always a possibility some fumes will back-up
in the drain. With today's shop vacuums you should be able to clean up any
spills as they happen.
Even though I didn't constantly work in pits, I had more than my share of
falls due to steps and floors either wet or not cleaned up after a spill, or
the lighting was so poor I slipped over a tool left on the steps.
Some covering over the pit opening is a must. Covering with wood or steel
wouldn't be my first choice, the the nets discussed in earlier messages
can't be that expensive and can keep not only you, but other family members
or friends from a nasty fall and injury.
Bottom Line: Pits that are properly planned and maintained are just as
useful as a lift in my opinion.
Carl Ham
'56 Chevy TF Stepside
Pontiac, IL
>From: "Boteler" <boteler@olg.com>
>Reply-To: "Boteler" <boteler@olg.com>
>To: "OLETRUCK list" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] shop Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 23:58:06 -0500
>
>Lots of men have died in pits (overcome by bad gases). That's why you
>never
>see them anymore (OSHA). The Jiffy Lube type pits are a complete basement
>(not a small confined space) and they have large ventilation systems. Pits
>are also a "fall" hazard.
>
>The only way I would have one is if the shop was built on a hill and you
>had
>a "walk-out" door at pit level that could be opened when you were down
>there. But remember, you still need to worry about gasses collecting down
>there when you are not using it, as Whitney stated.
>
>Be safe!
>
>Mike Boteler
>'56 8400 Wrecker
>Hughesville, MD
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "haist" <haist2@attbi.com>
>To: "mark" <ccpanel@jps.net>; <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
>Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 7:37 PM
>Subject: RE: [oletrucks] shop
>
>
> > I always thought a work pit in my garage floor would be a cool thing to
> > have. That was until I had a conversation with our local fire martial
>and
> > learned that volatile gases that are heavier than air accumulate in such
> > places. One spark and, well you get the picture. It is possible to
> > ventilate a work pit with explosion proof fans, etc. but then you're
>talking
> > more cost than a lift.
> >
> > That's my $.02.
> >
> > Whitney Haist
> > Orinda, CA
> > Chevy trucks: 1928,1939,1946.
> > http://www.haist-usa.com/oldtrucks
> > mailto:whitney@haist-usa.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net
> > [mailto:owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of mark
> > Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 3:09 PM
> > To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
> > Subject: [oletrucks] shop
> >
> >
> > what about a pit?
> > mark
> >
> > http://pweb.jps.net/~woodson
> > http://home.infostations.net/ccpanel/projects/
> > ...
> > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
> > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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