GODDARD AUTOMOBILE CLUB OPERATING RULES
1. BAY DESIGNATION (Class B Rules)
Bays are to be used on a first-come, first-served basis by signing the log. The bays will be designated as bay 1, 2, and 3 proceeding from the left to the right facing the building.
a. Bay 1 contains the 4-point lift.
b. Bay 2 contains the drive-on lift.
c. Bay 3 is a general purpose bay.
d. The FRONT ROOM is for general purposes but should be kept especially clean for engine-assembly.
e. The BACK ROOM contains Lockers for storage of personal tools, supplies, and valuable parts.
f. The ATTIC and COMPRESSOR ROOM are utility areas and should not be used for storage or operations.
g. The REMOTE METAL SHED is for parts and flammables. The Key is kept in the Table drawer closest to the Front-Room Garage Door.
2. SIGN-IN
a. The Garage Key (only one exists aside from Officer's keys) must be checked out at GSFC Security, Main Gate; a valid Membership Card & Photo ID are required. The Key must be returned to Security at the end of each session or for work-in-progress absences over 30 minutes. A note - giving the user's name, departure time and expected return timed should be left on the outside of the Garage door to notify other Club Members and Security. (Class A Rule)
b. All Members must sign-in on the log provided before beginning any work. Any Member found violating this Sign-In Rule will:
1st BE GIVEN A VERBAL WARNING.
2nd BE GIVEN A WRllTEN WARNING.
3rd BE SUSPENDED AND REFERRED TO THE MEMBERSHIP FOR REMOVAL FROM THE CLUB.
Additionally, Members found in violation of this Sign-In Rule will forfeit their right to use the Facility for the rest of that day and be requested to leave immediately. (Class B Rule)
c. If a Member who signed out the Key from GSFC Security is leaving the Garage while another Club Member is present, he may sign over responsibility for the Key to the other Member. This is accomplished by both Members signing the appropriate place in the "Sign-Over Log Book" kept in the Front Room of the Garage. Officers alone are exempt from checking out, transferring, and returning this Primary Garage Key to Security. (Class B Rule)
3. PERSONAL SAFETY (Class A Rules)
a. The "Buddy System" is enforced by GSFC Security: Members should make provisions to eliminate the possibility of anyone working alone inside the Garage on any project which involves substantial personal risk; e.g., welding, engine removal, working under an elevated vehicle, etc. A buddy is any other responsible person capable of using the telephone in an emergency. The buddy system is not necessary for Members who will be washing a car, cleaning up the Garage, making minor vehicle adjustments, washing or fabricating small parts, "benchwork," etc.
b. All vehicles elevated by jacks shall be further supported by appropriate jack-stands before and during any under-vehicle operations.
c. If the fire extinguishers, first-aid kit or eye-wash bottles are used, call one of the Officers so that they can be refurbished.
d. Individuals engaged in vehicle or Garage repairs shall not consume alcoholic beverages of any kind.
4. STORAGE & PARKING
a. No vehicles will be stored in the garage overnight. All vehicles left on the premises unattended shall be moved to an appropriate parking place. Cars parked on the lot more than overnight shall have a valid parking permit (obtained from the Club Parking Administrator). Cars parked with expired permits or without permits may be removed at the owner's expense after a 72-hour grace period. (Class A Rule)
b. Large automobile parts (engines, transmissions, etc.) may be stored in the building for reasonable periods of time (LESS THAN 30 DAYS) while they are being repaired or stripped for parts. All parts stored in the facility shall have the date and owner's name prominently displayed on them. Unfinished assemblies and parts for near-future restoration shall be stored in the Remote Metal Shed only. (Class B Rule)
c. The Club Will assume no responsibility for cars or parts left at the Facility unattended. Vehicles and parts which are not properly identified and/or are in violation of the Club's storage rules may be disposed of by the Club Officers. (Class B Rule)
d. The term "steady progress" utilized in Article IX, Section 8 shall be understood as meaning at least ten (10) hours of work during a one-month period, wherein said ten hours shall be devoted either to the repair, modification or restoration of the parked project vehicle or to the material advancement of one or more of the posted Garage Volunteer Projects. Failure to make such steady progress on a parked vehicle and/or failure to timely pay the required fees shall result-- after at least one informal attempt to produce compliance by any Officer-- in the transmittal of a 72Hour Notice to the delinquent Member. That Notice shall contain at least the vehicle's date of arrival, the total fees owed to date, the work deficit incurred for the past month(s), and the terms required for the Member to come into compliance with our By-Laws and to avoid the impoundment or salvaging of his vehicle(s) off Center.
5. EMERGENCY (Class A Rule)
In case of an emergency, call the Guard-House (Bldg. 9) at
6-8661... and/or dial 112 (Trouble Desk).
6. OPERATING HOURS (Class A/B Rule)
The Facilities are open daily on an around-the-clock basis according to the needs of Club Members. (Class B) However, certain machines' tools, work areas or the entire Garage shall be declared off-limits or restricted completely for appropriate periods of time by either the President or the Facilities Chairman in special emergency circumstances where the safety of persons or property may otherwise become jeopardized or to avert large-scale waste of resources or damage to Facilities which could reasonably be expected to occur; such circumstances include the following:
a. the loss of electrical power,
b. the loss of telephone service,
c. major construction,
d. complex repairs or additions to Facilities, and
e. formally declared national or GSFC emergencies.
Such restrictions or closures shall be overtly posted, published, and/or announced both in writing and electronically by one of the Officers.
Any Member who violates, bypasses or defeats a duly posted restriction or lockout of Facilities shall be liable for immediate suspension and removal for cause. (Class A Rule)
7. TRASH (Class A Rule)
All trash, old parts, etc., shall be disposed of by the Member who generates it. Inside cans are provided for this purpose as is an outside metal dumpster. Inside cans should be dumped into the outside dumpster by the Member who fills the can to or beyond the halfway point. All boxes, exhaust pipes, etc. shall be broken down so as to fit fully inside the dumpster. Do not leave refuse on the grounds or in the Garage. Do not place bricks, concrete, cylinder heads, engine blocks, tires, fluids (flammable or hazardous) or batteries in any of the trash containers provided. Contact a Club Officer for further instructions for these materials.
8. EXHAUST GASES, including FREON & TOBACCO ASH
a. Exhaust gases from vehicles operated in the bay areas shall be vented either with the exhaust hoses provided by the Club or by a fully open bay door immediately behind the tail pipe of the vehicle. In all cases, the vehicle shall be run for minimum periods of time. (Class A Rule)
b. All diagnoses, charging, and repairing of automotive air-conditioning systems that involve the discharge of R-12 into the air or which involve the use of equipment which is not certified by the EPA for refrigerant handling are strictly prohibited. The only exception is the use of solid-state freon-leak detectors. This prohibition shall be enforced by the GSFC Environmental Section, and any fine assessed this Club and/or the Center shall be the sole responsibility of the actual original offender(s) for payment. Should any fine or fraction thereof actually be levied against this Club--directly or indirectly—as a penalty for violating the Clean Air Act, the Member(s) who proximately caused the alleged violation and/or the penalty itself (i.e., informants who circumvent internal, Clubaccountability methods) shall be immediately suspended from Membership pending ordinary removal procedures. (Class A Rule)
c. The personal smoking of tobacco products is permitted inside or around the Garage Site as long as all of the following three (3) conditions are being met:
i. No lighted element is taken within a five-foot (5') radius of an open car hood where a component of that car's fuel system is being examined or repaired, the Varsol Parts-Washer, the outdoor Misc Solvents Drum, or any vehicle on an elevated Car-lift whose fuel tank, gasline or undercarriage filter is being serviced;
ii. No butts or other smoking paraphenalia are discarded on the Garage floor or grounds; and
iii. No other Member present at the time of another's smoking objects to said smoking. (Class B Rule)
9. BATTERY CHARGING (Class A Rule)
Battery charging may be performed in the bay area or outside the Garage. A Member shall be present at all time during a battery charging operation, and he shall ensure that at least one window is completely open.
10. ELECTRICAL CORDS (Class A Rule)
Only insulated cords and drop-lights shall be used in the bay areas.
11. HAZARDOUS EQUIPMENT (Class A Rule)
The Car-lifts, welder, or other intrinsically hazardous equipment shall be used only by individuals who have demonstrated to the Club's Officers their proficiency in the use of such equipment. In the case of the Point lift in Bay 1, specifically, a vehicle may be placed on the lift only after the center of gravity is determined (see chart or have measured) and placed within 1 foot of the center line of the lift posts. The ramps of the drive-on lift in Bay 2 shall be pre-adjusted to within 2 inches distance from the outer guide rails and the widest part of the wheelbase before driving the vehicle onto the black roll-up ramps. When driving onto the red lift ramps, a vehicle should not be steered more than +5° from centerline.
12. PAINTING AND SANDBLASTING (Class A Rule)
Painting and sandblasting are prohibited inside the Garage. Sanding and sandblasting may be performed on the Washpad or in the Parking Lot.
13. FLAMMABLE STORAGE (Class A Rule)
All flammable fluids, oils, and lubricants shall be stored in the Metal Storage Shed provided for this purpose. No flammable fluids or materials shall be stored in the bay or shop area except in small quantities and in approved containers in the Front-Room Locker.
14. MOTORIZED PARTS-WASHER (Class A Rules)
a. Do not remove or "borrow" solvent from the motorized Varsol Parts Washer. The drum needs to remain full in order to maximize the longevity and grease-stripping efficiency of the solvent as a whole. Moreover, the solvent per se does not belong to the Club - it is part of an overall leased service.
b. Do not pour foreign liquids or grease into the Varsol Parts-Washer, especially old antifreeze and oil.
15. SPECIAL WINTER OPERATIONS (Class A Rules)
a. Do not turn the water supply off at the main or at either of the two intermediate valves for any reason except a burst pipe. A pipe-heating system has been installed for year-round running water.
b. Do not tamper with any part of the pipe-heating system, especially the outdoor freeze caps and electric plugs.
c. The Remote Faucet at the Wash Pad is normally Locked-OFF during freezing periods. Contact an Officer to reactivate (and subsequently purge) this water water line if required. The other faucet is usable year-round.
d. Be certain to turn off the FRONT ROOM Baseboard Heaters at the Breaker Panel when locking up the Garage. Do not adjust the settings on each individual Heater.
e. Be certain to turn off the Main Bay Ceiling Heaters at the master switch at the rear of Bay 2 when locking up the Garage. Do not set the master thermostat above 64° (except during classes, parties, and meetings).
