Before you select a high-performance Alignment Lift and prepare your alignment bay for installation, you must address the single most critical factor: your concrete slab. A car lift is only as safe and stable as the floor it rests on. Ignoring foundational requirements is the primary cause of lift failure and a major safety hazard.
At Global Garage Supplies, we stress that proper preparation is not just about compliance; it’s about protecting your massive investment and your technicians. Here is a detailed checklist of the concrete specifications you need to confirm before installation begins.
Critical Concrete Specifications Checklist
To safely anchor and operate any commercial Alignment Lift, your concrete must meet three essential criteria:
1. Thickness (Slab Depth)
The slab must be thick enough to withstand the enormous upward tension exerted by the anchor bolts when a heavy vehicle is lifted.
- Minimum Requirement: For most commercial Four-Post Lifts, the industry minimum is 4 inches of reinforced concrete.
- Best Practice: Many high-capacity or heavy-duty lifts require 6 inches of concrete for maximum safety and stability. Always consult the specific technical manual for your chosen lift model.
- Avoid: Never install a lift over asphalt, dirt, or a conventional post-tension cable slab without specific engineering approval.
2. Compressive Strength (PSI Rating)
The concrete’s strength is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). This rating determines the material’s ability to resist compression—a key factor for holding the anchors securely under load.
- Minimum Requirement: The concrete must have a minimum PSI rating of 3,000 PSI (or C20/25 equivalent) and must be fully cured.
- Verification: If you do not know your slab’s PSI rating, you must hire a professional to perform a core sample test to certify its strength. Guessing is not an option when safety is on the line.
3. Curing Time
New concrete requires a specific period to reach its full rated strength. Installing a lift before the curing is complete is dangerous and will void the warranty.
- Minimum Curing Time: Concrete must be cured for a minimum of 28 days before drilling anchor holes and installing the lift. Never rush this process.
Specific Requirements for Different Lift Types
While the above rules apply universally, the installation method dictates additional considerations:
| Lift Type | Installation Method | Key Concrete Concern |
| Four-Post Lifts | Surface-Mounted | The lift columns are anchored directly to the slab. Ensure the concrete is free of major cracks or expansion joints near the column baseplates. |
| Scissor Lifts | Surface or Recessed | If recessing the lift for a flush-mount look, precise cutting and re-pouring of the slab perimeter are required. Recessed pits must be perfectly level and correctly reinforced. |
Prevent Costly Failures
The time and money spent confirming your floor’s integrity is negligible compared to the cost of lift failure, bay downtime, or a catastrophic accident. Do the Concrete Check first, and you ensure a safe, compliant, and durable installation.
Ready to confirm the technical specs for your next investment? Review our technical specs before purchasing your Scissor Lifts and all other heavy equipment at Global Garage Supplies.