What is a prefabricated steel vehicle pit?

Unlike reinforced concrete or block and brick pits that are built ‘in situ’ on site, prefabricated pits are constructed in a factory under strict quality control conditions, then delivered in one piece to site ready for installation. The pits are manufactured from mild steel sheets, MIG welded together to form water tight sumps. To these basic ‘tanks’ are added standard items such as jacking rails, Category 3- (zone 2) lights and an air line, as well as non standard items requested by the customer and various safety features.

Typical users include:

• Transport and logistics companies
• Coach operators
• Bus companies
• Train and tram operators
• Airports for tow rigs etc
• Ministry of Defence
• Supermarket chains

Advantages over ‘In situ’ concrete

Pits prefabricated from steel are fast replacing traditional pits built using reinforced concrete or bricks and blocks. This is not surprising when they offer the following benefits.

• Quicker Installation
• More accurate costing
• Better quality control
• Easily maintained
• Loadings easily calculated
• Integral straight jacking rail
• Fully sealed to stop the ingress of water and gases or the escape of harmful fluids such as oils and chemicals.
• No spalling or concrete cancer
• No staining

Concept

Advice given on type of pit to install, along with the modifications and accessories required for working on specific vehicles. Single pit, multiple pits and different types of configurations can give very productive workshop environments.

Tailored Options

Although all pits are built around a standard basic format they can be tailored to suit individual customer needs, making available an endless range of combinations, including, varying length, width and depth, connecting tunnels, sunken workshops and multiple installations

Design

All designs are produced by our skilled, experienced, design engineers using the latest CAD design facilities. We are able to provide design support to architects, structural engineers and contractors alike. Information can usually be transferred by email within 24 hours. Comphrehensive drawings are supplied for every pit installation. Our structural engineers will design to suit bad ground conditions if required at a very competitive rate.

Manufacture

In Premier Pits’ factory at Quadring near Spalding, Lincolnshire, it is possible to manufacture several pits at the same time. The pits are made from mild steel, MIG welded together to form water tight sumps that look very similar to the hulls of canal longboats. To this basic ‘tank’ are added standard items such as jacking rails as well as the additional options requested by customers to suit their particlular needs.

Quality Control

The pits are manufactured to ISO 9001 standards. They are fitted with category 3 (Zone 2) lights, an air line, jacking rail and painted before leaving our workshop. Every pit is closley monitored to ensure that it is built to the specification agreed with the client.

Delivery

The completed pits are transported to site by road in one piece, even up to 22 meters long.

Installation

Once delivered to site the pits are installed by one of Premier Pits’ own teams of skilled and experienced fitters.

Existing floors

Involves saw cutting, break out and dig out before placing membrane prior to installation. Then, once the pit is in place, concrete is poured and vibrated to finish floor level.

New floors

Steel work up, roof on, hardcore stage contractor fits temporary bases to our drawing for the spreader beams to be fitted to. Premier Pits excavate, fit membrane, position pit and pour concrete to just under floor slab level. Re-bar fitted to tie in the slab.

Commmissioning

Before hand over we always ensure that the pit and surrounding floor is clean and tidy, with all waste material removed. On new build projects we revisit the site, just prior to the building being handed over to the client, to ensure that everything is in order. Our aim is to hand over the pit in as good a condition as it left our workshop.

Refurbishment

A pit refurbished by Premier Pits will look ‘as good as new’. The method of construction and the types of materials used enable us to transform the appearance and efficiency of our pits, even after many years’ use. Refurbishment includes cleaning, repainting and the replacement of all zone 1 lights with zone 2 safety lights. Call our sales office for advice.