Safety

Overview

Safety is always the #1 priority at all times when it comes to robot combat. While things may look dangerous and exciting in the cage, we need to ensure that that excitement actually stays in the cage. Below you can find some safety information related to combat robotics.

The basic rules...

• All robots must have a weapon lock that prevents any spinning weapons from moving outside of the cage.
• All robots must have a way to turn off power without disassembling the robot.
• All robots must pass a radio fail safe test.

Fighting robots are inherently dangerous. Safety is paramount. We require that all competitors abide by all the safety rules for their weight class. This is not just for your safety but everyone else's as well. Safety violations can occur for:

• Improper or non-use of weapon lock
• Unsafe weapon tests with box open
• Unsafe touching of the bot (grabbing an unlocked weapon)
• Improper load-in procedure
• Pit safety issues such as open test box testing, driving in pits, weapon test on table, etc

We will use an escalating system of consequences: These reset each event.

• 🟨 1st issue: Yellow Card: Warning
• 🟧 2nd issue: Orange Card: Match forfeit
• 🟥 3rd issue: Red Card: Event forfeit
• ⬛️ 4th issue: Black Card: Year forfeit

Each of these levels comes with a chat about what happened and how to improve safety.  We 100% understand that accidents happen, especially under stress.  If you get a card, please don't panic.  It's not a sleight on you personally.  We will do everything that we possibly can to make sure that we work together to correct the safety issues in question.  As a competitor myself, the absolute last thing I want to do is tell a competitor they can't compete.  However, if said competitor is putting themself or others in danger, we need to make sure those issues are corrected.  

Weapon Locks

A weapon lock is anything that will keep your weapon from being dangerous when your robot is not in the ring. Weapon locks are required during loading and unloading into the ring or test boxes. Robots that don't use a weapon lock are a hazard to everyone at NHRL and are not allowed. Failure to follow rules will result in a verbal warning and a second failure will result in your robot being disqualified from the event for the day. If you have questions don't hesitate to ask the staff. Everyone is friendly and supportive, safety is just very important.

When must a weapon lock be used

• During robot load-in to the cage or test box
• Anytime your robot is powered up anywhere at NHRL

What works well as a weapon lock

• A metal pin or plug that prevents any rotating weapon from spinning, ideally painted a bright color.
• A plastic cover (pool noodles work well) over any sharp blade on your robot

What isn't great as a weapon lock

• Anything that can easily fall out or be dislodged
• Your hand or any other part of your body
• Using a tool such a vice grip is frowned upon as a weapon lock.
  • Weapon locks should be a dedicated item and not something that could be confused in any way.
  • If you drop your bot, a vice grip may disengage from the weapon. A dedicated weapon lock should not.
  • A vice grip requires two hands to engage and disengage. A dedicated weapon lock should not.

Testing your Robot

All robot testing must be done in a test box! The only exception to this rule is ‘Wheels-up’ testing for robots with a second dedicated switch for their weapon system.

Robots and/or minibots may not be driven on the floor of the pits, around the competition venue, or outside the test box, regardless of their weapon status.

Robot Hazard Station

The Robot Hazard Station is an extension of our pit safety efforts. It ensures that potentially hazardous processes are done in a controlled and safe environment outside of the pits. The station is conveniently located by the load-in dock, en-route between the pits and cages. It’s marked with appropriate signage and is blocked off by black and yellow stanchions. Failure to use the hazard station appropriately may result in a penalty via the safety demerit system.

The Robot Hazard Station is designed and equipped for two purposes:

• Firstly, it provides a designated location for builders of robots with flamethrowers, pneumatics, hydraulics, internal combustion engines, jets, rocket engines, ramset charges or airbags to safely load, fill, pressurize and depressurize their systems. Robots fitting into one of the listed archetypes MUST perform tasks here. Certain exceptions may be made depending on the weapon type and materials used.
• Additionally, it serves as designated post-fire robot inspection and clean-up station in the event that a robot is rushed out of the building after a match.

Hazard Station Rules:

• No more than 3 teams with 2 representatives each may work in the station at a time.
• Use appropriate PPE when working in the station.
• Return all tools to the cart/cabinet.
• Clean any spills or messes created while working.
• Do not charge batteries in the Hazard Station.
• If recovering from a fire, talk to the hazard station attendant for a check-in
• If you have any questions about the robot hazard station, hazardous robot types or best practices, please reach out to us.

Battery Safety

Batteries, if mishandled or damage, present a fire hazard. Please be sure to inspect your batteries thoroughly before each use;

Signs that a battery has reached the end of its life:

• Any battery that has sustained damage or cuts to the metal foil that holds the cells.
• Puffy batteries. Batteries that are starting to fail will start to fill with hydrogen gas. This will make the battery puffy. A little puffy is likely OK for a few more matches.. but a very puffy battery is no longer safe
• Batteries which cannot be charged. If the charger rejects the battery due to bad cell voltage its not longer safe
• Batteries with bare balance leads or bare leads are a short circuit risk. Short Circuit = FIRE. Fix or dispose of right away.
• Batteries that have become too hot to touch are no longer safe

Even batteries that appear perfectly healthy can change at a moment's notice. It is important to monitor batteries while they are charging, and if possible use a LiPo bag to contain batteries as they charge.

NHRL has a number of battery disposal bins around the facility where you can surrender damaged LiPos safely.

If you do not feel safe handling a damaged battery, find a member of staff to assist you.

Fire and Flame-Based Weapons

NOTE: We may or may not be allowed to run flame-based weapons at our June event. We will know more closer to the event.

Fire-based active weapons are allowed at NHRL, with the following stipulations...

• Weapons which use fire or heat must be able to self light, and self extinguish.
• They should also self extinguish in the event that the connection to the transmitter is lost.
• A weapon is also considering self extinguishing if it flames out after 30 seconds from ignition
• Competitors must demonstrate for safety the appropriate respect and precautions when working with flame or heat based weapons.

As of March 18, 2023, bots at NHRL are limited in the mass of flammable gas that can be carried. Bots in the 3lb category are limited to 8 ounces of fuel. Bots in the 12lb and 30lb categories can carry up to 16 ounces of fuel.

Flammable Gas Container Regulations

If the amount of gas used on a bot is such that it can be fully depleted in less than 60 seconds of continuous firing, it is exempt from this section.

Large volumes Flammable gas on bots must be stored in a container that defaults to the closed position. Examples include;

• "Lighter Filling" bottles where the nozzle must be depressed to release gas
• Gas tanks that require an active pump or an inert gas to be pumped as a displacement.
• Tanks with a spring-loaded nipple

In addition, these bottles cannot be implemented in a way that permanently depresses the opener. When the bot loses power or the bottle is severed from the rest of the bot, the canister must return to the closed position. This would include standard camp-stove style canister hoses.

Matches may be stopped and your bot disqualified if cage equipment, including cameras or safety gear, is being damaged by fire.

Rocket Motors and Fireworks

Rocket motors and fireworks are not allowed at NHRL as of the May 2023 event.

Cage Load-in/Load Out Procedure

Please see the Cage Load-In and Load-Out for details on our cage load-in and load-out procedure.

Alcohol

We serve adult beverages on the premises at NHRL events. However, alcohol does not mix well with power tools and combat robots!

Builders are not allowed to drink alcohol as long as they have a robot they are working on active in the competition, or planning to fight in a grudge match.

Builders whose bots are no longer in the competition, not fighting any grudge matches, and who are 21 years of age or older, are allowed to drink alcohol.

Note that inebriated builders who are causing a disturbance will be asked to leave, even if they are no longer in the competition. Please drink responsibly!