Whether you are installing your first auto lift or tenth, it is important to consider if your auto shop has adequate space to remain compliant with how much room an auto lift takes.

To best ensure your auto repair technicians have adequate room to perform their work while staying safe, you will need to assess the clearance height, floor space, placement, and access to the vehicle on your new lift, in addition to the equipment surrounding the work station. In the content below, we explore how much auto lift space is necessary to adhere to safety protocols and maintain optimal functionality within an auto shop.

Auto Lift Space Requirements

It may seem intimidating at first to make sure your auto shop has enough room before installing a lift. However, there are three main components to consider before determining if your desired auto lift can fit. Below, we explore the necessary clearance height, floor space, and placement requirements prior to buying a new auto lift.

2 Post Car Lift Space Requirements

Most 2 post car lifts will require a minimum ceiling height ranging from 11 to 12 feet. However, some models will need up to 13 or even 14 feet. Furthermore, this height requirement should not include hanging fixtures such as fans and lights. For example, if your shop ceiling is 12 feet above the floor, but your fan is only 10 feet from the floor, you’ll need to pick a lift model for shops with a low ceiling. Alternatively, you could install the lift in a part of the shop that doesn’t have ceiling fixtures or even raise the roof to increase your work space.

You’ll also need a bay space at least 12 feet wide and 24 feet long around your lift. As mechanics cannot safely work under a vehicle on a 2 post lift, it’s important that they have the extra clearance to get around the vehicle. The floor should be a smooth concrete slab with no cracks or dips. It needs to be at least 4 inches thick for a lift that can hold up to 10,000 lbs. If your lift holds up to 15,000 lbs., your concrete floor should be at least 6 inches thick.

2 Post Lift Dimensions

The width measurements for a two-post car lift range from 11 to 12 feet. Column height ranges from 9 to 12 feet. This makes them ideal for shops that work with passenger cars, small vans, and lightweight trucks.

4 Post Car Lift Space Requirements

If you purchase a 4 post car lift with a low lift height, you may only need 12 feet of ceiling clearance. However, most 4 post car lifts require up to 14 feet of ceiling clearance. This is especially the case if your shop services commercial vehicles. You’ll also need a bay space that’s at least 24 feet wide and 24 feet long around the lift. Check the specifications listed in the lift’s owner’s manual to make sure that you have the right amount of space for the lift in question. Lifts that can hold more than 16,000 lbs should be installed on concrete that’s at least 8 inches thick, although some heavy-duty models may need a concrete flooring that’s at least one foot thick.

4 Post Car Lift Dimensions

Average width measurements for 4 post car lifts range from 9 to 12 feet. These lifts are longer than they are wide, with typical length measurements ranging from 14 to 16 feet. However, this length doesn’t include the ramps that come with some lift models. If you purchase a lift with a ramp, the required length could range from 18 to 19 feet.

Clearance Height

Before buying a lift for your auto shop, consider the height of your workspace. Does your shop have low ceilings? It is important to remember that the higher your shop’s ceiling is, the wider selection of auto lifts you can choose from.

For best practices, we suggest allowing for auto repair technicians to easily walk under the raised vehicle on the lift without bending or hunching over. Therefore, as a consensus, allot for approximately six feet for space underneath, five to six feet for vehicle height and one foot of clearance. Therefore, to best ensure a safe lift installation, your shop’s ceiling height must measure at a minimum of 11 or 12 feet, with clearance for overhead hazards such as lights, garage doors, ventilation installations, and fire alarms.

Generally, to understand how much clearance height you need for your auto lift, calculate the overall working height of your lift when servicing a vehicle, whether that may be an SUV, pickup truck, bus, or motorcycle. For an overhead-style lift, with a cross beam for passing the cables and hydraulics, you must provide an additional foot or two of clearance height. However, if you have a baseplate or free-standing lift, the top of your vehicle on the lift will dictate how high you can go.

Floor Space

Although ceiling height may not be a cause for concern in your auto shop, assess the remaining floor space available for the installation of a new auto lift. You may purchase the greatest lift for your auto shop only to find out it is physically impossible to feasibly install it in your cramped floor space.

Therefore, measure as many times as necessary to guarantee that a lift will not only fit but also provide the necessary room to adequately service vehicles. If you are unsure about the minimum space requirement for your new auto lift, consider contacting a local and reliable installer.

It is essential to carefully examine the specific concrete requirements for any lift you plan to install, whether it is a 2 post lift or another type of lift. Failing to do so may result in severe safety hazards, damage to the equipment, or even structural damage to the building. Therefore, make sure to research the concrete specifications provided by the lift manufacturer and ensure that your concrete meets or exceeds these requirements before proceeding with the installation.

Requirements for Different Auto Lift Types

The weight of the lift will have a huge bearing on how much space you’ll need, as will the type of vehicles you work on in your shop. Furthermore, space requirements can vary depending on the lift model you pick. Always consult the owner’s manual and vendor for detailed instructions before installing a new lift in your shop.

4 Post Car Lift Space Requirements

Four-post car lifts can hold anywhere from 7,000 lbs. to 40,000 lbs. The concrete floor should be at least 4 inches thick for models with a weight limit of up to 10,000 lbs. and at least 6 inches thick for models that can hold more than 10,000 lbs.

The minimum 4 post car lift space requirements are 24 feet by 24 feet in floor space and a clear ceiling height of at least 11 to 12 feet. The minimal clearance space for the lift is 10 feet in width and 20 feet in length. Even so, providing up to five feet of additional space on all sides of the lift improves the operational safety of your garage. Furthermore, you’ll need a clear ceiling height of at least 13 feet if you work on tall vehicles or stack more than one vehicle on a lift.

2 Post Car Lift Space Requirements

Two-post car lifts may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. They can hold between 6,000 lbs. and 30,000 lbs., depending on the model you pick. The 2 post car lift requirements for concrete flooring are the same as those for a four-post car lift.

You’ll need at least 11 feet by 11 feet in floor space. The minimal clear ceiling height should be between 11 and 12 feet. Ideal length and width space vary by lift model and the type of vehicle you work on. Passenger cars are typically up to 17 feet long, but you may need up to 16 feet in width and 36 feet in length if you work on commercial vehicles and pick-up trucks.

In-Ground Single Post Lifts

For an in-ground single-post lift, the concrete floor should be at least four inches thick. Minimal ceiling clearance is about 6.5 feet plus the height of the tallest vehicle you’ll put on the lift. It’s a good idea to leave at least two feet of space around the lift for your technicians to get around and do repair work.

In-Ground Scissor Lift Requirements

In-ground scissor lifts can hold between 3,500 lbs. and 12,000. lbs. Space clearance requirements are the same as for in-ground single-post lifts. However, some low-rise scissor lifts only need about 8 feet of ceiling clearance.

4 Post Lift Dimensions

Four-post lift dimensions vary by make, model, and weight limit. However, you can expect an average four-post lift to be at least 88″ high, 100″ long, and 200″ wide.SVI offers lifts and lift parts in all sizes. Our vast stock of high-quality parts makes it easy for you to find anything you need without delay. Get in touch with us to learn more or to order the lift or lift parts of your choice.

Consider the Technicians

As a rule of thumb, determine how much space you can dedicate to a fixed auto lift while in service and out of service as specific lift types will have stationary posts that take up floor space. If your garage includes workbenches or storage cabinets, you need to account for this space as well. Therefore, always leave at least two feet for walking and working space.

When considering floor space, you need to remember who will be circulating the workstations. It is important to consider how some technicians may need to move around one another to access a different area. Furthermore, both you and your crew will work more efficiently and safely if you plan by providing ample floor space for everyone to move about.

Consider the Vehicles You Will Be Lifting

While thinking about the auto lift itself along with surrounding equipment and your auto technicians, it is important to remember how much space is required for the vehicles that will soon be serviced on your new lift.

Surrounding your auto lift, the space you need depends on two factors:

• The length of the vehicles you will be lifting
• The type of lift arms your lift has – symmetrical or asymmetrical

With symmetrical lifts, try to allot a minimum of 12 feet from your lift posts to the back wall. If you are looking to purchase an asymmetrical lift, leave room for at least 9 feet between the lift posts and the nearest wall.

If you have more floor space available in your auto shop, think about how you can efficiently use that space. Do you plan to install more auto lifts over time? At the very least, leave enough floor space to provide adequate room for a work bench or storage cabinet against the end wall.

Comparing 2 Post and 4 Post Car Lift Space Requirements

A 2 post typically has a lower ceiling clearance and takes up less flooring space than a 4 post model. Furthermore, your concrete slab could be thinner than it would be for the installation of a 4 post car lift. The fact that 2 post lifts are more affordable than their 4 post counterparts makes them an attractive option for auto repair shop owners with a limited budget. However, that doesn’t mean that a 2 post model is the best bet for all car shops. A 2 post lift will most likely have a lower weight limit than a 4 post model, which means that you’ll be limited to working on passenger vehicles. What’s more, you can’t use a 2 post lift as a vehicle storage solution in the same way as you could use a 4 post lift.

It’s wise to consider your current and future needs when buying a new lift for your shop. If you have plenty of space and ample ceiling clearance, it may be wise to invest in a heavy-duty 4 post lift so you can handle repairs on all types of personal and commercial vehicles. What’s more, purchasing a lift that can meet your long-term needs can help you avoid downtime as you won’t have to stop work to adjust the layout of your shop and install a new lift.

SVI International makes it easy for any auto shop owner to find the lift that best meets his or her needs. We carry more than 40,000 products and offer efficient customer service to make it easy for you to find what you need. We stock only the best brand names to ensure you get a top-quality product at the best possible price. What’s more, we also carry replacement parts for our lifts. These come with a one-year warranty and many of these are available for same-day shipping from one of our two ready-ship warehouses. Check out our lift selection if you want to get to know your options or contact us to get a quote on the lift of your choice.

Placement and Access

Oftentimes, most garage spaces place auto lifts so that they align with either the entry door or the servicing bay. However, when you have a larger space to work with, you can install the lift in a corner or at an angle, depending on what offers the most efficient use of floor space and clearance height.

Fortunately, there is no golden rule depicting how one should place their auto lifts. However, we generally suggest that you create at least two feet of space between your posts, hoisted vehicles, and the side walls. With anything less, you will struggle to move around your vehicle while hoisted on the lift. Additionally, you will not have adequate room to easily remove wheels, axles, or utilize a long pry bar to remove tight bolts.

Find the Right Auto Lift for Your Shop at SVI International

Are you searching for an auto lift that allows you to stay compliant with auto lift space requirements? Finding a reliable auto lift supplier with high-quality products doesn’t have to be difficult.

At SVI International, we are dedicated to quality. As industry leaders in repair parts for automotive and industrial equipment, we offer 40,000 repair parts from 50 product lines. Our products are distributed between 3 warehouses, scattered across the country, allowing for fast, reliable shipping.

Beside repair parts, we are known as the problem solver in the industry. We understand custom. Whether you’re looking for specialty lifts, repair parts, or innovative products, we welcome you to reach out today. Contact us today at (800) 321-8173 or by submitting our online contact form.