Maintenance

Running a Hackspace like ours requires a lot of continuous maintenance work that may not be immediately obvious when you're new. All members are expected to help out with this.

Keeping the Hackspace in Shape

According to our Rules you're expected to clean up your workspace after you're done; but beyond that we ask that you help us maintain the space. We have a lot of members that make constant use of our facilities, and it adds up quickly.

A few good rules of thumb:

• Strive to do one maintenance task every time you visit. You're already helping if you only bring out the garbage or wipe a few desks clean.
• Strive to leave our facilities in a better state than you found them.
• If you don't know how things work and this documentation doesn't help then just ask around, in the space or on IRC. Then update this documentation.

Waste Disposal

Regular Waste

This includes industrial waste (electronics, metal, stone, wood, ...) as long as it is not toxic. We have set up a few bins in various places. Once they're full take out the bag, replace it with a new one (you can find them under the kitchen sink), and dispose of the full bag.

There is a large skip in the Cremer Street parking space outside our house, to your left when you enter the main gate.

Recycling

Unfortunately we don't have a recycling facility, even though there is a recycling bin in the kitchen. (In the past some people have generously offered to recycle our waste at home, but this is not encouraged as a general solution.)

In the future we could make use of Hackney's business recycling services, at a fee.

Also have a look at Hackney's Recycling banks and bins documentation. (TODO: are we allowed to use these? They're set up for residents.)

Batteries

Hackney Council has several recycling facilities for household batteries (which includes "laptop batteries and other types of portable batteries", but does not include car batteries.)

The closest to the space is at Shoreditch Library, in 80 Hoxton Street, N1 6LP (map), which is next to the community college.

Opening hours:

• Mon, Tues, Thur: 9am - 8pm
• Wed: 9am - 6pm
• Fri: 10am - 8pm
• Sat: 9am - 5pm
• Sun 1pm - 5pm

Toxic Waste

TODO: where to dispose?

Cleaning

Most cleaning utensils can be found under the kitchen sink. If we run out of utensils (e.g. gloves go quite quickly) it would be appreciated if you buy new ones, the Hackspace can reimburse you if needed.

Dishes

We have a small dishwasher next to the kitchen sink. When it is full:

• Tablets are under the sink.
• Turn the machine on (press the power button.) It will immediately start the cleaning cycle.
• It will take about TODO hours to finish.
• Clean cutlery belongs in the drawer beneath the sink. Dishes belong in the cabinet above the sink.

Kitchen

Lots of stuff to maintain in the Kitchen. To give you some pointers:

• Clean up leftover foods, packaging etc off surfaces and wipe the surface clean. Start with a damp sponge to remove food stains. Apply surface cleaner (we usually have sprays), wipe the surface with a moist towel, then with a dry paper towel.
• Clean up any stray dishes and cutlery.
• Reorganise assorted foods into a more sensible arrangement.
• Clean the coffee machine.
• Clean the microwave.
• Clean the fridges. Throw away any expired food.

Floor

Our carpets need to be vacuumed regularly. We have two vacuum cleaners in the Hackspace; unfortunately they tend to move around, but they're quite big and should be easy to find.

First start by cleaning up any waste in the area, and move everything out of the way (chairs, desks, people.) Then start vacuuming.

Don't vacuum wood shavings, metal shavings, longer cable cut-offs, and other rigid materials.

If the vacuum doesn't appear to be strong enough check the following:

• Is its container full? Take it out and bring it directly to the skip.
• Is the vacuum pipe clogged? Take it off and carefully thrust a broomstick through (please do this outside, either in the front gallery or best in the parking space near the skip.)

Lavatory

(That's toilets for all you non-brits.)

• Wipe down the top of all pipes and window sills.
• Make sure there are two rolls of toilet paper on the window sill, and a reasonable amount of soap.
• Switch the towel for a new one (old ones go in the laundry bin).
• Clean the floor (especially behind the toilet).

Infrastructure Work

At any time there are a few infrastructure projects in progress that strive to make improvement to the Hackspace. Have a look at the Infrastructure page to see a list of ongoing projects. If you find anything that interests you or where you can offer help get in touch with the people involved and ask them how you can participate.