For lots of workshops, a vehicle inspection pit is a serious commitment: a permanent fixture designed to last for years that means structural changes to the layout of your workshop.
So if you’re looking to upgrade or add a pit to your shop, you need to be sure you’re getting a high-quality construction that can stand the test of time.
Here’s what to expect from a top-quality inspection pit — from concept to installation:
1. Design
While modern inspection pits are often prefabricated, that doesn’t mean they’re always pre-designed. The best suppliers will be ready to offer a tailored design to fit your exact needs: in terms of both the vehicles and services you work with, and the layout and dimensions of your available space.
You should expect your supplier to:
• Conduct a site survey — a detailed assessment of your building structure and ground conditions
• Use CAD and 3D modelling — to simulate specific loads and stress points, and plan the right clearance, lighting, and ventilation for your specific dimensions and layout
• Supply structural calculations and a DOP (Declaration of Performance) with every inspection pit.
With a Tecnik inspection pit:
• Full site surveys and advice
• Bespoke designs for each site
• CAD and 3D modelling
• Structural calculations to BS EN 1090
• CE markings and DOP
2. Construction
The main advantage of a prefabricated inspection pit is in its off-site construction, helping to minimise any disruption to your workshop and its output.
But beyond that, not every pit is built the same — and there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes with a high-quality build.
The right manufacturer should be using:
• High-strength materials — such as hot-rolled steel at a high thickness
• Fully seam-welded joints
• Reinforced bracing for HGV and ATF pits
• Pre-installed metal conduits for cables and services (to protect the excavated site)
• Anti-corrosive primers and container paints
• A tough and waterproof finish (such as polyurethane).
What goes into a Tecnik pit?
• Side walls: pressed from 4mm-thick steel plate
• Floors: pressed from 6mm-thick durbar plate
• HGV and ATF pits: bracings at least 6mm thick
• HGV and ATF pits: braces at less than 1m intervals
• Primer: 2 coats of zinc phosphate
• Finish: high-quality polyurethane gloss white
3. Installation
Another huge benefit of off-site construction is that the site can be prepared simultaneously while the pit is being built.
With some suppliers, you’ll need to arrange the excavation of the site separately. But with some manufacturers (like our own Tecnik pits), you can choose the full service from start to finish, including groundworks, civil engineering, delivery, and installation.
If you’re choosing a full-service supplier, you need one that can handle:
• Excavation and drainage
• Structural preparations
• Reinforced concrete works
• Offloading and setup
• Levelling and anchoring down
• Seam-welding the tunnel sections to the main pit.
With the right supplier co-ordinating the site preparation and pit construction, you could be looking at a final installation in as little as 3 days after delivery of your pit — so you can minimise disruption and keep your throughput high for your workshop.
What do you get with a Tecnik installation?
• Installation in as little as 3 days after delivery
• Fully managed excavation, drainage, and structural preparations
• A team overseeing every step: from offloading and setup to levelling and anchoring
• Detailed excavation plans and installation instructions (if you use your own civil engineers)
Want to know more about our process?
If you’re looking at upgrading your vehicle pit (or thinking about your first installation), our expert teams are always happy to talk shop.
With over 200 inspection pits under our belts (including county councils and many notable installations) we’re ready to guide and advise you through every step of the process: from planning and design through to construction and the final installation.
Start a chat with one of the team to see exactly how we do it — and see if we’re a fit for your next workshop upgrade.
