Pit Size

[IndySam]

Our pit at St. Louis was less than 9' wide. I'm glad we made our space flexible this year.

[millerm277]

NJ is usually 10x10, and if you're lucky enough to be in the outer ring (You won't be though, if 1228 is your number), or on the end of one of the rows, you usually wind up with some extra space.

[Mike Schroeder]

Originally Posted by millerm277

NJ is usually 10x10, and if you're lucky enough to be in the outer ring (You won't be though, if 1228 is your number), or on the end of one of the rows, you usually wind up with some extra space.

Keep in mind that teams are not allowed to exceed their pit space

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by "Big Mike"

Keep in mind that teams are not allowed to exceed their pit space

Indeed, but at NJ the outer ring has these little 'wedges' of extra space between most of them, and all that "shelf" space in the folded-in bleachers on the back wall - a small advantage, but not enough to make a difference in competition (just some creature comforts).



Don

[Scott Carpman]

The pits at NYC certainly don't feel 10x10x10. The pit area is so open and airy that they feel clsoe to 15x15x15. The aisles are also very wide, so traffic can flow without much interuption.

[Sunshine]

Originally Posted by Richard

And your team had a truly great pit. The best example of 5S that I have seen at a FIRST event.

Thanks for the compliment Richard.
The students worked really hard in organizing and planning the layout of the pit you saw. One young gentleman that took the role of safety captain very serious. I truly believe that the students now know more about the 5'S than I do because of his leadership and motivation.

I have to admit that I was a little nervous about our pit size when we got there. I guess I missed the memo or it's a part of being a sophomore team. I (we) thought that all venues would allow 10x10'.

Luckily it will be an easy modification to size down. Wish I could say the same about my bust line.

Next year I hope that I have an opportunity to sit and chat with mentors like yourself more.

[Syncopation]

Originally Posted by Richard

And your team had a truly great pit. The best example of 5S that I have seen at a FIRST event.

This year we reduced pit width (side-to-side) from 10ft. to 9ft. We did it so we could reduce the number of aisles four to three and increase aisle width from 10ft. to 13ft. The goal was to keep traffic congestion to a minimum, and still have space for a practice carpet. A few teams with pre-built 10ft. wide pit structures had to adjust, or borrow space from neighbors.

While a pit smaller than the 10x10x10 can be a little cramped sometimes, St. Louis has had a few issues with pit traffic in the past... well, maybe more than a few. So opening up those aisles was definitely a great improvement over past years.

We had a pre-built pit entrance that was 10' wide, but luckily, we had an end pit. Turning our entrance towards the pit admin table solved some problems, and created new ones... I don't think the judges were too happy with our over-zealous team members crowding around and spilling into the aisle a bit too often. :3

Going to the OKC regional will be a big change - I hear they have enough room in the Ford Arena for 10x15x10 pits...

[Bruneau1727]

In the USFIRST website under regional competitions, each regional has documentation for the particular regional (site info). not all, but most list the pit size!