Proper base for water heater?

[RinOakland]

Hi, I’m going to replace my water heater soon and had two questions about the base area:

As shown, the current heater is in a 3” pit (sitting on tile shards )…this is in my workshop, which is right off of my garage. Because the garage isn’t used for cars (it’s too small), and because the workshop floor is already 9” higher than the garage, I’m not overly worried about it being a true 18” high; it’s obviously been fine for 20 years.

1. My plan was to pour 1-2” of new concrete into the pit to create a proper/level base. Any issues with this? (Ideally I'd take this proud and make a true raised pad — and maybe I can if I get a short heater — but I also don’t want to decrease the angle of the vent pipe.)

2. Do I “need” a pan? I believe they’re only required in locations where water would cause damage…but any overflow here would probably just spill from the workshop into the garage, then continue outside.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[Twowaxhack]

I’d put it in a pan and run drain to outside or a floor drain. but you don’t have to.

 

[havasu]

If you don't care about code, you could consider concrete rounds commonly used as stepping stones in the garden.

 

[cdestuck]

Fill in you pit with concrete. Then I always sit a thank on 3 bricks.