The long trek to build a garage for my Saab

[Dave T]

Garage planning: ventilation

Car fumes should be vented, particularly if the garage is attached to the house. Recommendations are for a 50-70 cubic foot per minute (cfm) fan which is on continuously
( http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wi...family116.html and http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/pro...side_the_specs ) or 20 minute use of a 100 cfm fan for a single car garage and 200 cfm for a 2 car garage. Bathroom fans are approximately 70 cfm and the ratings are displayed at hardware stores, like Home Depot or Lowe's. I personally prefer using a timer because I don't like a fan running constantly. I'll just turn on the timer when opening the garage door. People who are not too attentive to detail might be better served with an exhaust fan that automatically turns on when the garage door is activated or a fan that is on constantly.

The EPA link mentions that a timer doesn't address situations like stored fuel or solvents. I'd like to have a closet accessible only from the outside with vent slots to keep solvents or smelly weed killers or pesticides. That will eliminate that source of air pollutants from the garage.

Another way to reduce carbon monoxide is to have a step up to the house so that carbon monoxide, which stays at the bottom of the garage, will have a harder time seeping into the house.

In Seattle, it doesn't get too cold so I will save money and not have heating or air conditioning in the garage. So no forced air vents. If heating is desired, I could use infrared heating.

A door to the outside separate from the garage door aids a bit in ventilation and makes it more convenient to do handiwork, so that's one thing I want.

A window that can be opened is good for ventilation if one works in the garage. It also adds light. I'm undecided but leaning towards having a window. If there is a window, I think a sliding glass window is best. I don't like casement windows even though they can catch a breeze. People who are rough can break the crank.

It's logical not to run the engine in a garage and to drive away soon. There is more exhaust after a cold start compared to driving into the garage with a car that has been driven for several miles.

In short, the following is for me...

1. 200 cfm exhaust fan on a timer. One brand of timers is the Maestro MA-L3T251-AL (see picture at the top, sold at hardware stores, mrsupply.com, dimmerwarehouse.com)

2. Concrete ledge or step into the house.

3. Sliding window with window screen to keep flying insects away.

4. Separate closet with a door with vents accessible from the outside only for solvents and smelly chemicals.

5. Separate door to the outside, in addition to the garage door.

[Dave T]

The quest to build a garage for my Saab continues. It's been a long process, lengthened by city requirements. The building permit has been submitted but is still under review. Once it's approved, the public has 75 days to comment before work can be started. That's a 2 1/2 month required delay.

Preliminary bids from contractors are coming in but those bids need to be firmed up as the different contractors have bid using slightly different conditions, for example finishes or assumptions.

It looks like the project, which was started last fall could be completed as late as January 2013. That's a long lead time. If the building permit is approved and construction is started by early fall, then it might be done by mid-2012.

[Dave T]

The long saga to build a garage for my Saab is progressing. I first started thinking about it in June, 2010. About a year ago, an architect was selected and drawings done later in 2010. It was hoped the building permit would be approved by April this year and construction almost completed by now. However, the permit was not issued until now. Construction has begun in earnest to beat the winter, at least the basement, framing, and roof.

Before and after pictures:

Before



After

[Dave T]

The work continues. The garage is large. It first was planned as a 2 car garage but when the costs of planning was found to be so high because the city required that so many consultants be hired in order to get the building permit, a 4 car garage with additional space above was conceived for less than double the price.


November 18, 2011

What is not permitted is a fireman's pole to slide from the second floor directly to the garage. The space above the garage will have quite a bit of shelving to stockpile all the Saab parts that I would care to keep. Thanks to suggestions from Frank, there will be plumbing in the garage. However, a suggestion to have a picture window to see the cars from inside the house was received too late to include.

With all this space, there will be room to get a 9-4X and 9-5, in addition to the 9-3 that I already have! Either that or a classic 900 and a 9-3 parts car (hopefully the situation with the factory will make that unnecessary)!

[photousa]

Cool, Which bay gets the lift?

[Dave T]

I wanted a pit but it is not allowed nor is a fireman's pole allowed. Post or PM me any suggestions about a lift or what companies sell them, please.

[nordwulf]

If you're serious about a lift, you may want to plan for that now as you'll need some more vertical space..! Perhaps at either end so you can eliminate the second floor area for that bay.


Lifts are actually not that expensive. Sometimes you can find them used from garages that went out of business. If I would stay put in a house for a long time and had a garage like that, a lift would definitely be high on my list.

[Dave T]

As you know, my garage project is ongoing. It's possibly half finished.

[nordwulf]

I never say this but... OMG! That looks like the ultimate car enthusiast dream.

Besides your current Saab, what are you going to fill it up with? Is the upstairs going to be the SaabWorld clubhouse on the west coast??

[Dave T]

SaabWorld clubhouse? A good idea! The back wall of the 2nd floor will be lined with shelves. What better place to start my own parts warehouse?