livinsvt, I was referring to my "neck of the woods". It's just that I've not seen any for so long. I may be wrong about them being illegal, here (Nova Scotia), but if they're not, they're non-existant or virtually so. I've not run across one in the last 30 years and I'm usually in a garage every week or so. I seem to recall that they discontinued them here about thirty years ago due to safety problems but I certainly could be wrong as it's a vague recollection (like too much of my memory recently
).
Thinkmoto, they actually have several safety problems that are easily addressed by an above ground lift, the two most significant ones are:
1 - Unless they have a properly setup exhaust system close to the base of the pit there is a real danger of gas vapours collecting in the bottom of the pit and any spark can set off a deadly blaze.
2 - If there is a fire or if something falls from the vehicle above, there is at most only 2 directions of escape versus at least 6 with an above ground lift. Many of the pits that I've been in and seen had only one entrance/exit.
As I said there are some jobs that they're better suited to than an above ground hoist but I've just not seen one in sooooo long.
Regards, Alan
