| norwich_hackspace_rules_and_code_of_conduct.pdf |
updated April 2017
Norwich Hackspace is a community of people. It is run by its members, some of whom have put some effort in to get the Hackspace started. It is early days though and we will adapt these rules as we go along. The intention of the rules is not to limit people but to try and make sure we can all get the best out of Norwich Hackspace.
We have tried to keep written rules to a minimum so we rely on members to keep to the spirit and ethos behind the rules rather than the letter of the law in terms of safety, respect for others and enjoyable use of the space.
We now have our own premises in Lion House, Muspole Street, Norwich and there are some basic rules which include no smoking, alcohol or drugs on the premises.
With a lot of flammable materials and powerful machinery, there are obvious hazards from fire and injury. We ask members to use common sense at all times and not to take unnecessary risks, to wear protective clothing and to keep the work area as clean and tidy as possible. We are all responsible for our own safety.
New members are inducted gradually, attending as new members with restricted access to the Hackspace before they are given full-membership and anytime access when the group has got to know them. People who have been members for a while will greet new members, show them round and explain how the hackspace works. We have members with areas of responsibility (Tsars) who are normally at meetings and there will be a list of names available in the space and in the new member guidelines.
If you wish to use materials or have access to the building outside core Hackspace time please speak to one of the Tsars or experienced members.
Please don’t be afraid to ask questions – anyone will help you, or will point you towards someone who can if they can’t.
The group makes extensive use of Slack (an instant messaging app to help teams work together) as a way of communicating, asking questions, sharing projects and making decisions. Once you are a paid up member you will be invited to Slack and will be in touch with all members whilst retaining privacy.
Access and parking
1. There are two main points of entry: from the car-park – there is a lobby door with two keys and then through double doors is a door with a keypad entry. You will be given the code when you become a full member. There is also a front door on Muspole Street which has a single key.
2. When new members are accepted as full members and offered anytime access, a front door key will be issued on payment of £5.
3. Parking is limited during the day. There are two spaces outside Lion House for unloading – the rest is permit-parking only, although in the evening it is usually available. Please display a Hackspace sticker in your window if you park in the car park
Safety
Making Decisions
Etiquette
Personal Items
Donating, Loaning, or Borrowing Items
Disposal
Young People
Penalties
If you continually annoy or endanger others by ignoring these rules, the members have the right to impose sanctions or remove membership after discussions and warnings – it is a last resort and not something we want to do. So far, the Hackspace group has grown through consideration and goodwill which works well for us!
And finally
Please remember that Norwich Hackspace is not responsible or accepting liability for your safety. Please acquaint yourself with the rules and practices of the space, work safely and responsibly and encourage others to do the same.
Make sure that you know where the fire extinguishers (in the workshop) and fire blanket (near the lasercutter) are and the first aid kit (in the office) and what to do in an emergency.
Welcome to Norwich Hackspace!
Norwich Hackspace is a community of people. It is run by its members, some of whom have put some effort in to get the Hackspace started. It is early days though and we will adapt these rules as we go along. The intention of the rules is not to limit people but to try and make sure we can all get the best out of Norwich Hackspace.
We have tried to keep written rules to a minimum so we rely on members to keep to the spirit and ethos behind the rules rather than the letter of the law in terms of safety, respect for others and enjoyable use of the space.
We now have our own premises in Lion House, Muspole Street, Norwich and there are some basic rules which include no smoking, alcohol or drugs on the premises.
With a lot of flammable materials and powerful machinery, there are obvious hazards from fire and injury. We ask members to use common sense at all times and not to take unnecessary risks, to wear protective clothing and to keep the work area as clean and tidy as possible. We are all responsible for our own safety.
New members are inducted gradually, attending as new members with restricted access to the Hackspace before they are given full-membership and anytime access when the group has got to know them. People who have been members for a while will greet new members, show them round and explain how the hackspace works. We have members with areas of responsibility (Tsars) who are normally at meetings and there will be a list of names available in the space and in the new member guidelines.
If you wish to use materials or have access to the building outside core Hackspace time please speak to one of the Tsars or experienced members.
Please don’t be afraid to ask questions – anyone will help you, or will point you towards someone who can if they can’t.
The group makes extensive use of Slack (an instant messaging app to help teams work together) as a way of communicating, asking questions, sharing projects and making decisions. Once you are a paid up member you will be invited to Slack and will be in touch with all members whilst retaining privacy.
Access and parking
1. There are two main points of entry: from the car-park – there is a lobby door with two keys and then through double doors is a door with a keypad entry. You will be given the code when you become a full member. There is also a front door on Muspole Street which has a single key.
2. When new members are accepted as full members and offered anytime access, a front door key will be issued on payment of £5.
3. Parking is limited during the day. There are two spaces outside Lion House for unloading – the rest is permit-parking only, although in the evening it is usually available. Please display a Hackspace sticker in your window if you park in the car park
Safety
- Don't use tools and machinery unless you have been through an induction and shown that you are competent. This is very important. Member Alan Scrase is the Tsar for the workshop
- If you see someone working in an unsafe way, it's your duty to stop them and let them know. We have to look after each other as well as ourselves.
- Don't disable or hack safety features/equipment. This is for other people's safety as much as your own.
- There will be instructions for use near all of the machines. Read the instructions. If in doubt, please ask someone.
- Please do not work on potentially dangerous tasks if you are alone in the building
- There is a First Aid kit in the Hackspace Office and an Accident/Incident Book
Making Decisions
- We make decisions on a collective basis via Slack or at meetings depending on what it is.If you want a decision made, bring it to the #decision-making channel on Slack in the first instance
- If something is broken and you know how to fix it, please do. If you don’t know how to fix it, please tell the core team asap. You can use Slack to communicate with others, or wait until the member meeting on Mondays
- If you want to run a project or doing something major in the space, please check with other members via Slack or the Google Group first.
- Norwich Hackspace founder/core members will have the final decision
Etiquette
- Please treat the Hackspace like your home (or better!), it is a shared space and needs looking after. Take care of tools and equipment and keep it tidy and clean - we don’t have a cleaner and all need to take a turn
- Be respectful of other people’s projects and ask before moving or using things
- Be helpful to other members – it is a community of sharing
- Take care how you communicate with people, especially when not face-to-face
- Keep your own things clearly labelled – see below
Personal Items
- Members are allowed to store personal items in the space, but they must be kept in one of the plastic boxes provided, labelled with your name. One box per member. Empty boxes may be recycled for other members if needed.
- Larger/more items may be allowed, but please note that space is limited. You must talk to one of the Tsars before bringing to the space.
- When your request is approved items should be clearly labelled as yours with a Name/Do Not Hack sticker
- You must keep anything you want to keep in the space labelled and boxed or they are at risk of being used or thrown out. We all have to keep the space workable so it is common sense really
- If you want to use something that is in the common space it is normally available for use but please ask if in doubt
Donating, Loaning, or Borrowing Items
- Carefully consider the true usefulness of an item before bringing it to the space. Disposal requires effort and space is limited. Seek permission for large items. Just because you don’t want to keep something at home isn’t a good enough reason to bring it to the space – ask on Slack if it is useful
- Don't remove tools from the space without asking. It is sometimes possible to borrow items but we need to know where they are
- Workbenches should be kept clean and clear so that anyone can use them - be considerate for the next user. Please put tools back where you found them.
- Any items left on a workbench become fair game. Put your stuff back in your box!
- There is a kitchen, a kettle and fridge. There is an honesty system for tea and coffee so please add a few bob to the tin if you make tea or coffee. Wash up dirty cups and plates before leaving the space. Please don't leave them in the sink and wipe up any mess you make. Keep food and drink away from work tables and dispose of rubbish – there is a recycling bin and a general rubbish bin. Bin bags can be taken out to the commercial rubbish skips in the carpark
- If you have engaged in any waste generating activity (e.g. peeling wires), hoover the spot.
- Please do not bring bikes into the space - they take up too much room.
Disposal
- If you think something should be thrown out, please message on Slack
- If something is too big to fit in the trash box, you should post to Slack
- If you want to throw something away which looks as though it might be useful, please bring it up on Slack.
Young People
- Hackspace members are 18 and above. Younger members over 16 may be admitted at the discretion of the members but will not have individual access at any time. We will speak to the parents of that young person who will accept that their son/daughter attends at their own risk - we are not responsible for their safety as is the case with all members
- Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times, preferably a member, who will be responsible for the young person
- Norwich Hackspace is primarily an adult group so this policy will be continually reviewed. Although we do want to encourage young people and we will be looking to develop Junior Hackspace sessions, we need to keep a balance so that adult members can get on with their own projects without feeling responsible for juniors
- Please note that Norwich Hackspace members are not generally DBS checked
Penalties
If you continually annoy or endanger others by ignoring these rules, the members have the right to impose sanctions or remove membership after discussions and warnings – it is a last resort and not something we want to do. So far, the Hackspace group has grown through consideration and goodwill which works well for us!
And finally
Please remember that Norwich Hackspace is not responsible or accepting liability for your safety. Please acquaint yourself with the rules and practices of the space, work safely and responsibly and encourage others to do the same.
Make sure that you know where the fire extinguishers (in the workshop) and fire blanket (near the lasercutter) are and the first aid kit (in the office) and what to do in an emergency.
Welcome to Norwich Hackspace!