The Pits

[dhitchco]

I need to resurrect this thread to get some better info:

1) There now is a rule 7.7.4 that states that

For safety and because of insurance regulations, teams cannot build any structure that supports people or items for storage above the work area in their pit space. No structures should be higher than 10 feet above the floor and must safely support any signs or displays mounted to the structure. FIRST will require the removal of any pit structure that is deemed unsafe by event management personnel and local committee members

OK...That makes a lot of sense


2) BUT, it also seems like the pit perimiter is 10'x10' at the Atlanta championship, but may be as small as 8'x8' at regionals.

Is there really any standard?

3) According to the official FIRST Q&A Forum (http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=371)

The intended table size is a 6’X30” banquet table, with no linen or draping. In some sites it may be larger, such as 8’X30”.

So it appears that the pits "may" be as small as 6' or 8' in width (yikes!)

Pits need to be set-up quickly onthe morning of the competition and can't be set-up the evening before; correct? namely, the rules stipulate that ONLY robot unpacking can occur with a small number of people BEFORE the 1st day of any event....

Some other pit thoughts we've been mulling-over
1) No roof/top over pit since the ambient lighting from gym/hall will be needed to work on robot
2) Need at least 80" to 90" of vertical clearance at front of pit/booth to roll robot on car in and out of pit area
3) Although the pit comes equipped with one table, we're thinking of re-using parts of the robot crate (e.g. the doors) as extra tables/shelves.

Other creative thoughts?