Field Robotics Center

Facilities Guidelines

Scope of the document:

• Security
• Facilities Management
• Equipment
• Storage

Security

Each individual is responsible for maintaining security in the lab. All doors must be closed and locked between 5:30 PM and 8:30 AM or when an area is unoccupied. If you are the last person in a space, close and lock the doors and windows when you leave.

Individuals discovering unlockable doors or windows, fires or risks of fire, theft of equipment or any hazardous situation should notify the lab coordinator (x7953) or one of the individuals listed below. If notification within the lab is impossible and the situation presents potential harm or loss to the lab, Campus Security (x2323) should be contacted directly.

Important numbers:

• Lab Director, Red Whittaker      x6559
• Asst. Director, Jim Osborn        x6553
• Lab Coordinator, Scott Workman  x7953
• Campus Security                x2323
• Physical Plant                  x2910

Guidelines:

• ALL doors and windows are to be closed and locked when any FRC space is unoccupied. The last person to leave an area is responsible for checking the doors and windows. If you are uncertain that you are the last occupant lock up as a default.
• If it is necessary to leave an unoccupied space unlocked, report this to the lab coordinator or campus security.
• Do not prop open external doors
• Do not prop open doors to corridors. They are fire barrier doors.
• ALL external doors should be locked from 5:30 PM to 8:30 am
• The doors to the high bay, shops and Upper Lurgi Area (ULA) should be locked at all times unless work traffic requires they remain open. The door must be closed when work is finished.
• The windows throughout the lab spaces may be opened for ventilation but must be closed when the space is vacated.
• Report all broken or unlockable doors and windows to the lab coordinator immediately. If the condition leaves the area unsecured and the lab coordinator is unavailable report the situation to campus security.
• Equipment found unsecured should be stored.
• Theft, vandalism or any breach of lab security must be reported to the lab coordinator or campus security. Note time, location, and any specific details on loss or breakage when making report
• FRC personnel should report any maintenance problems to the lab coordinator. Examples of these might be
  • Malfunctioning lights or electrical equipment
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Heat or air conditioning malfunctions, or
  • Improperly closing doors or windows and broken locks
• Report emergencies to the lab coordinator immediately. If the lab coordinator is unavailable, report the situation directly to campus security or physical plant.

Facilities Management

Included in this category are:

• Housekeeping
• Equipment and
• Storage

Housekeeping:

The responsibilities for cleanliness and organization of FRC spaces is as follows:

CPS maintained:

• FMRB: All offices, hallways, rest rooms, and conference room (High bay Floor, bi-monthly mopping and daily trash removal)
• PRB: Offices, rest room, and trash
• CPS (Central Property Services) is contracted by CMU to provide regular floor cleaning and removal of trash only.

Project Maintained:

• Areas utilized by projects, including high bay floor space occupied by project equipment or areas primarily affected by project activity, the lurgi fabrication space and adjacent areas when occupied for project use, and assigned storage areas.
• It is the responsibility of the project leaders to organized and clean lab areas occupied by their equipment and apparatus. The level, schedule and method of housekeeping will be agreed upon by the project leader and the lab coordinator.

Lab Maintained:

In general, all spaces not covered by project or CPS activity. Areas in the highbays of FRC and PRB not occupied by projects, utility spaces such as the storage area under the highbay and the lurgi when not occupied by a project. The lab coordinator is responsible for these areas.

Personally maintained: (Desk space and adjoining areas)

These are the responsibility of the occupying individuals. To facilitate CPS housekeeping activities in office areas, floors and aisles should be kept free from unnecessary obstructions.

GUIDELINES:

• Keep personal areas clean!
• Long term project locations, extended experimental set-ups, fabrication efforts and any activities that require the allocation of space will be assessed by the lab coordinator for impact on the lab environment
• No individual may modify any FRC facilities without approval. This includes drilling or cutting into building features (walls, doors, and windows), or modification to any utilities (electric power, compressed air or HVAC).
• Requests for the assignment of office space, keys, phones, furniture, and office equipment should be directed to the lab coordinator via email. Personnel may not change offices or move furniture or equipment to other spaces without prior approval.
• All requests for Physical Pant action must be made through the lab coordinator via Email. Do not contact Physical Plant personally. However, if a condition is detected that jeopardizes FRC personnel or equipment and the lab coordinator is unavailable the individual should contact Physical Plant or Security.

Equipment

Included in this category are hand tools, power tools, machine tools, electronic equipment, still and video camera and associated equipment, welding and cutting equipment, air handling equipment, carts, benches, lockers, and office furniture. (FRC computer resources are the responsibility of the Computing Services Coordinator. Wenfan Shi, x6558, shi@frc.ri.cmu.edu)

The FRC Facilities Group is responsible for purchase, maintenance and repair of all facilities equipment. Project leaders are responsible for project specific equipment purchased for contracted work or FRC facilities equipment assigned to their group to support contract work, including repair and replacement costs if necessary. General tools and equipment purchased by a project become facilities equipment at the end of the end of the contract.

FRC Equipment is intended primarily for the support of FRC work. Individuals can borrow equipment assigned to a specific project with the permission of that project's leader for use within the lab. Removal of FRC equipment from the lab requires a release request signed by the lab coordinator or director.

Malfunctioning or broken tools or equipment should be reported to the lab coordinator immediately. Items that present a hazard will be tagged as dangerous or disabled until repaired. Repairs or replacement are the responsibility of the group or person using the equipment at the time of failure. This includes personal use.

GUIDELINES:

• Items are not to be moved from assigned areas unless the project leader, lab coordinator, or designated responsible person is informed.
• Items borrowed must be returned by the end of the work period or within 24 hours. Equipment required for long term use may be signed for with the project leader, lab coordinator, or designated responsible person.
• If articles are to be borrowed for personal use and are to be removed from FRC spaces a release form must be obtained from the lab coordinator or FRC director. This is CMU policy. Individuals are responsible for the repair or replacement of an item while it is in his possession.
• No individual may modify any FRC equipment without approval. This includes alterations to any tool or portable equipment.
• Individuals discovering a broken or malfunctioning tool or piece of equipment should report it to the lab coordinator for repair or replacement. An item that presents a hazard will be tagged as dangerous or disabled until repaired. Do not return it to storage.
• Tools and equipment should be stored in appropriate lockers and tool chests when not in use.
• All tools and equipment are to be returned to storage at the end of the day. The only exception is when the equipment is part of a set-up.

Storage

GUIDELINES

• Storage in the highbays, lurgi, labs and offices will be restricted to currents project equipment, tools and often used supplies. These materials will be stored in tool chests or lockers
• Long term storage will be restricted to the "catacomb" area under the Highbay
• Each project or group will have an allocated location in the storage area
• Archival storage must be bagged in plastic, boxed and marked to identify contents
• There will be no long term storage of personal items.

 Return to Top

---

Back to FRC Operations

Back to FRC Home

---