Shelves in the pit

[FRC1710]

I am a little confused by rule 3.7.4.1, "Teams cannot build any structure that supports people, or items for storage, above the work area in their team pit station."
From this rule are we still allowed to have shelves in our pit?
Thanks!

[Elgin Clock]

This was meant to eliminate the safety hazard caused by 2 story pits.
I know... kinda hard to believe, but some teams had built a platform above their pits to hold people as seen here:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/24597

It's now a big no-no!

Shelves in a pit, as long as it's not too high would be fine.

[Kyle]

You can have shelves but nothing like a 2 story pit where people can sit and work on a platform above the floor level of the pit.

[dhitchco]

I would interpret rule 3.7.4.1, "Teams cannot build any structure that supports people, or items for storage, above the work area in their team pit station."

in that the word "ABOVE" is interpreted to to mean that you can't build ANYTHING that is more than 10' off the floor. Nada, zip.....

But, if your pit contained "safe" shelves in the back for tools, etc that were 6'-8' high, and didn't require a ladder to access, my assumption is that is OK. Try NOT to build shelves that would block the side-to-side view of your next-door pit neighbors nor to impede the in-out workflow of your own team/robot.

Think of creative ways to re-use your shipping crate as a "closet" or as mini-tables too.....just as long as they're sturdy, the regioanl safety judges shouldn't have a problem.

[Jon Jack]

Last year we had a crate that folded out to provide a work bench, tool rack, battery rack and shelf space. The safety award judges loved it. It kept our pit clean and made everything easily accessable for students and mentors. I highly doubt that FIRST would have a problem if we used that same crate.