Main Menu

Lab rules and safety

Violation of these rules will result in the lab access removal.

General lab rules and guidelines

  • Food and drink: no food or drinks are permitted in the lab, except for drinking water in sealable bottles.
  • Attire: wear closed-toe shoes, and avoid loose clothing that could get caught in equipment.
  • Tool usage: only use tools that belong to your group or those you’ve been authorized to use by the lab manager.
  • Storage: only use cabinets assigned to your group. Do not use or open cabinets labeled “Not for public use.”
  • Tools: all tools must be returned to their designated places after use. Removing tools or equipment from the lab is prohibited.
  • Lab layout: do not modify the lab layout without consulting the lab manager.
  • Specialized equipment: users can bring your own specialized equipment for experiments. After use, ensure it is stored in designated spaces or arrange temporary storage with the lab manager if the project is ongoing.

Safety rules

  • First aid: the lab’s first aid kit is located on the counter near the sink.
  • Phone: in case of emergency use the phone located on the counter to call UMPD (x53333) or 911.
  • Safety glasses: wear safety glasses when handling any powered robot/vehicle. Please return the safety equipment after usage.
  • Drones: when operating drones inside the Robotics Drone Lab:
    • always stand behind the protective netting;
    • remain mentally alert at all times;
    • never fly drones outside the netted area. Do not attempt to fly if anyone is inside the netted area;
    • try to not fly drones alone. Ensure a lab partner is available to use the kill-switch in case of emergency;
    • disconnect the main battery from the drone when it doesn't need to be powered;
    • before each flight, confirm that nuts and propellers are securely finger-tightened to prevent detachment mid-flight, which could lead to serious accidents.
  • Medium-sized drone operation: drones weighing over 500 grams or equipped with propellers larger than 4 inches may only be armed within the netted area. It is strongly recommended to have another user present in the lab when operating these drones.
  • Large-sized drone operation: drones weighing over 1500 grams or with propellers larger than 6 inches require approval from the lab manager before use in the Robotics Drone Lab. A second user must be present in the lab at all times when operating these drones.
  • Crash procedure: in the event of a crash, exercise extreme caution. First, disarm the drone using the transmitter. Then, disconnect and remove the battery before inspecting the vehicle or surroundings.
  • All vehicles operated at the Robotics Drone Lab must have a preflight checklist, a fail-safe setup, and a kill-switch setup.
    • Preflight check: a check list to verify that all critical systems are in proper working order before arming and operating the vehicle.
    • Fail-safe setup: configure a fail-safe that immediately stops the vehicle if it loses connection to the controller.
    • Kill-switch: ensure each vehicle is equipped with a kill-switch that can instantly shut down the vehicle in case of an emergency.

In Case of Fire:

  • Use fire extinguisher (stored by the door): aim the fire extinguisher to fully cover the burning area with powder.
  • Use sand bucket (stored by the door): pour the sand to fully cover the burning area with sand.
  • Use fire blanket (stored under the sink): wrap the fire blanket around the burning part, and if possible, move it away from flammable materials, particularly foam mats.
  • Battery fires: if a battery is burning, place it in the flammable storage cabinet to burn out, but ensure all other batteries are removed from the cabinet first.
  • Safety first: only attempt these actions if you feel capable and can do so safely. If the situation is unsafe, immediately evacuate the lab and wait for the Fire Department to respond.
  • Lithium battery fires: Although lithium is a combustible metal that typically requires a Class D extinguisher, the National Fire Protection Association has found that regular dry chemical or powder extinguishers are often effective. Allowing a Li-Po battery to burn unchecked can cause greater damage, release toxic byproducts, and may even lead to explosions.
Back to Top