Rules

London Hackspace is run entirely by its members and, on the whole, this works pretty well. As hackers we hate making rules almost as much as we hate following them, so we really want to keep the number of rules to a minimum. We can only do this if members and visitors observe the spirit -- not just the letter -- of these rules; they are here firstly for your safety, and secondly to prevent annoyance to other users of the space.

One prominent hackerspace has only one rule: "Be excellent to each other." It's a good rule, but they have quite a lot of drama, and we've found that a few good rules can help reduce the drama.

We also have a number of guides that are good reading for prospective users of the space. This includes our policy on filming.

Rule Zero

0. Do not be on fire.

Safety

1. Don't use tools unless you're sure you know how to do so safely. If you see someone working in an unsafe way, it's your duty to stop them and let them know.
2. Don't defeat or hack safety features/equipment. This is for other people's safety as much as yours.
3. Check the wiki for instructions. Read the warnings. If in doubt, ask.

Making Decisions

4. If something is broken, fix it; don't complain. If you can't fix it, tell the trustees ASAP.
5. If you're doing something major, ask the mailing list first.

Etiquette

6. Do not treat the Hackspace like your home, it is a shared space. Sleeping in the space is forbidden. (More info)

Personal Items

7. Members are allowed to store personal items in the space, but they must be kept in one of the plastic boxes, labelled with your name. One box per member. Empty boxes may be recycled for other members if needed.
8. Larger/more items may be allowed, but please note that space is limited. You must email the mailing list first, and items should be clearly labelled as yours, and with the date they will be removed by. (We have Do Not Hack stickers in the office area on the ground floor.)

Donating, Loaning, or Borrowing Items

9. 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.
10. If you're leaving something and you would rather it was not mercilessly ripped apart, please label it accordingly.
11. Likewise, if something looks expensive or useful please don't mercilessly rip it apart without asking first.
12. Don't remove tools from the space without asking the mailing list first.

Tidiness

13. Workbenches should be completely clean when you leave - be considerate for the next user. Please put tools back where you found them.
14. Put your dirty cups and plates in the dishwasher before leaving the space. Don't leave them in the sink.
15. Any items left on a workbench overnight become fair game. Put your stuff back in your box.
16. If you have engaged in any waste generating activity (e.g. peeling wires), hoover the spot.
17. Please do not bring bikes into the space unless you are working on them, they take up too much room.

Disposal

18. If you think something should be thrown out, put it in the outgoing trash box. Two weeks later the box will go in the skip.
19. If something is too big to fit in the trash box, you should probably post to the list about it.
20. If you want to throw something away which looks useful, make sure the mailing list is informed well in advance.

Children

21. Children younger than 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian, London Hackspace has no child care facilities or trained child minders.
22. The minimum age limit to become a member is 16.
23. Between the ages of 16 and 18 you must have your parents permission to be here, and we (The trustees) need to be sure that your parents know that you are here.
24. The trustees may remove the right to unsupervised access at our discretion - you would remain a member but loses door access.

Penalties

If you continually annoy or endanger others by ignoring these rules, the trustees have the right to impose sanctions, as described in the Grievance Procedure. It is not something they want to do.