Safety Code

Safety Code

Effective January 1, 2018

As an DroidBuilders member I agree:

• I will not operate my droid in a careless or reckless manner.

• I will not interfere with and will yield the right of way to all humans while operating my droid and use handler when appropriate.

• I will not operate any droid while I am under the influence of alcohol or any drug that could adversely affect my ability to safely control the droid.

• I will maintain visual contact of my droid without enhancement other than corrective lenses prescribed to me.

• I will use an established safety zone to separate all droid operations from spectators and bystanders.

• I will not operate any gadgets on my droid when it has the potential to cause harm.

General Safety Principles

Adherence to DroidBuilders safety regulations should not be viewed as an obstacle to the enjoyment of operating your droid, but rather as proof that DroidBuilders are responsible and can operate safely in a community based environment. It is to each operators personal benefit to make certain that no action on his or her part will result in an unsafe situation or an accident.

Before each operation of the droid, the operator should verify the droids condition and proper function to ensure a safe and efficient use. An operator should check for proper fitting and placement of parts, with special attention to the motors, fuse(s),batteries, and radio controls.

Before you participate at an DroidBuilders sanctioned event, show, or a demonstration, you should test your droid and control systems by successfully performing all intended or anticipated maneuvers prior to the event. If you are an inexperienced operator, it is important that you obtain the assistance of an experienced operator for these specific events.

Your droid should not carry any pyrotechnic devices that explode or burn. Devices that propel projectiles or drop any object creating a hazard to persons or property are prohibited.

Batteries

Lithium batteries have become extremely popular for powering control and power systems in models because of their high energy density compared with earlier battery technologies. With high energy comes increased risk in use. The principle risk is fire, which can result from improper charging, damage, or shorting the batteries.

All lithium battery vendors warn customers of this danger and recommend extreme caution in their use.

However, many fires have resulted from the misuse of Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries, leading to the loss of droids and even automobiles. Other property, such as homes, garages, and workshops, have also burned. A lithium battery fire burns explosively at several thousand degrees and is an excellent initiator for ancillary fires. Fire is caused by contact between lithium and oxygen in the air. It needs no other source of ignition or fuel to start.

The following is recommended for lithium batteries to preclude ancillary fires:

• Store and charge in a fireproof container—never in your droid
• Charge in a protected area that is devoid of combustibles.
• In the event of damage from crashes, etc., carefully move the battery pack to a safe place for at least a half hour to observe. Physically damaged cells can erupt into flames. After sufficient time to ensure safety, the cells should be discarded in accordance with the instructions that come with the batteries. Never attempt to charge a cell with physical damage, regardless of how slight.
• Always use chargers designed for the specific purpose; it’s preferable to have a fixed setting for your particular pack. Many fires occur while using selectable/adjustable chargers that are improperly set. Never attempt to charge lithium cells with a charger that is not specifically designed for lithium cells! Never use chargers that are specifically designed for NiCd batteries.
• It is strongly recommended that you use charging systems that monitor, control, and balance the charge state of each cell in the pack. Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if the system permits a single cell in the pack to be overcharged. This means that the charging system must provide charge cessation as each cell reaches the proper voltage. If the batteries show any sign of swelling, discontinue charging and move them to a safe place—outside. They could erupt into flames. Never plug in a battery and leave it to charge unattended; serious fires have resulted from this practice.
• Do not attempt to make your own battery packs from individual cells. Use only professionally packaged and labeled units that contain safer charging features.

Radio Control

Complete a successful radio equipment range check (in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations) before operating your droid in a crowded environment.

Establish a safety zone(s) where all spectators and bystanders must remain and keep your droid in visual sight. Use your handler! Only personnel associated with operating the droid should be allowed allowed at or in the safety zone.

Before doing ANY events at hospitals, validate with staff the frequencies your droid operates on to ensure you will not affect any equipment on site.