Utility Works MakerSpace
Equipment Membership Agreement
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF SERVICE CAREFULLY. BY ACCEPTING THESE TERMS OF SERVICE ONLINE, AND/OR USING THE MAKER SPACE AND ITS SERVICES, I (THE “MEMBER”) HEREBY AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT.
Lansdowne Economic Development Corp. ("Company" or "LEDC"), is a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation. The Company will provide to the Member access to the various printers, computers, etc. (“Equipment”) at the co-working building Utility Works Maker Space, located at 18 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050. The Company and Member agree as follows:
1. Membership:
Equipment Membership (unlimited visits) $_50/month
2. Acceptance of Terms.
The services LEDC provides are subject to the terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement (the “Agreement”). LEDC reserves the right to update the Agreement at any time. LEDC will attempt to contact you to notify you of any updates within 30 days of their enactment. The LEDC may terminate this Agreement with 30 days advance written notice.
Such Monthly Fee shall be set up for automatic credit/debit card payment as of the first day of each month and may only be canceled by Member upon prior written notice received by LEDC 30 days before cancellation shall take effect.
3. Duration of Agreement & Termination.
This Agreement is a Member License Agreement and shall commence upon payment of the first month’s fee. This Agreement shall automatically renew on a month-to-month basis.
Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph and notice period, LEDC reserves the right to terminate access to and use of Company facilities at any time, immediately and without notice, if the Member fails to comply with any provision of this Agreement and/or Utility Works MakerSpace House Rules (attached and made part of this agreement).
4. Monthly Fees.
All Members shall pay the first month’s membership fee in order to bind this agreement. Member also agrees to make monthly payments (fees) in the amount of $50. Member agrees to provide a debit or credit card number and to sign up for automatic monthly withdrawals for the monthly membership fee. Fees are due without demand, and members who are delinquent will be notified in writing by the Manager that their fee is overdue and that they are risking losing their membership. After a 5-day grace period, a 5% late fee will be added to the fee. If no payment is made by the end of the month, this Agreement shall be terminated and the Member shall no longer have access to or use of the facilities. Failure to make consistent on-time monthly payments as described will result in the termination of this Agreement and revocation of Member's privilege to use the facilities. In addition, Member shall pay all reasonable third party fees (attorney's fees and debt collection fees specifically included) and other costs incurred by the Company in connection with any late payments or past due amounts.
5. Payment; Access Cards; Damages; Termination.
In consideration of the Services, Member shall pay to LEDC a monthly non-refundable fee, pro-rated for any partial month.
Member further hereby authorizes LEDC to automatically charge its credit/debit card for all costs, Services and/or amenities provided to Member that are not otherwise included in its Monthly Fee, and for any and all damages to Utility Works Maker Space, LEDC property, Equipment, or the property of any other member which is caused by Member (and/or its employees, guests, invitees, etc).
LEDC reserves the right to terminate this Agreement, including any Services, at any time. LEDC further reserves the right to terminate participation in, access, and use of any Services, immediately and without notice, if you fail to comply with the terms and conditions contained herein. Member may terminate this Agreement and the use of LEDC/Utility Works Maker Space Services at any time; provided, however, that proper notice, as set forth above, must be received by Utility Works Maker Space at least Thirty (30) days prior to leaving in order to avoid being charged the Monthly Fee for next month.
LEDC reserves the right to amend the House Rules from time to time and at its sole discretion. LEDC will notify Member of any changes to said rules and regulations in writing and prior to such rule changes taking effect.
Upon the termination of this Agreement, Member shall thereafter have no further right to use, and Member shall make no further use of, Utility Works Maker Space, 18 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA. Personal items must be removed from Utility Works Maker Space immediately upon termination of membership. Any property left behind following termination of this agreement will become property of the LEDC.
6. Description of Services.
LEDC agrees to provide Member with unlimited visits and access to the Equipment during open, staffed hours only.
All memberships include access to and use of the Shared Equipment (when available) and resources without additional charge for machine use. The LEDC will make every reasonable attempt to keep all equipment maintained and in good working order. The LEDC does not guarantee that all equipment will be available at all times.
All Members shall provide their own supplies and materials. Supplies may be available from time to time from the LEDC and, if so, can be purchased by the Member. The LEDC does not guarantee availability of supplies.
Membership does not include free use of the Sound Studio, Conference room, or Classroom. There are separate and additional charges associated with use of the Sound Studio, Conference room, and Classroom.
LEDC agrees to provide Member with access to non-exclusive, clean, well-maintained shared facility areas (such as kitchenette and common areas), exclusive access to individual workspace (described in opening paragraph), reasonable electrical power, and wireless internet at Utility Works MakerSpace, as well as a range of related services.
LEDC agrees to provide Member with access to the classroom area, work-stations, Internet access, conference space, knowledge resources, and all other services that may be offered from time to time, including, without limitation, member-related events (collectively as, “Services”). The Services at all times are subject to the Agreement.
6A. Teaching Classes or Workshops
Members may not conduct any paid teaching activities, classes or workshops within the facility except as approved by and in partnership with the LEDC and/or Penn State Brandywine. All training and instruction in partnership with the LEDC within the facility must be approved by the LEDC and provided under a Cooperative Teaching Agreement in which revenue is shared between the teacher/instructor and the LEDC.
7. Member Obligations.
Member shall only use the facilities and equipment in accordance with LEDC/Utility Works MakerSpace House Rules. The shared facilities shall be kept in a neat, clean and attractive condition at all times. Member will not cause any damage to any part of Utility Works MakerSpace, including unreasonable or inappropriate wear on furniture or damage to the Equipment and/or the building in which Utility Works MakerSpace is located ("Building"). Member shall not disturb the use and enjoyment of the Services by any other Member of the Company or the use and enjoyment of the Building by any occupant of the Building. Member shall not use Utility Works MakerSpace facilities for any inappropriate or unlawful activity including obscenity and use of material protected by intellectual property laws.
7A. Use of Utility Works MakerSpace Equipment/Damage or Default.
“Equipment” shall refer to any and all tools and equipment provided by the LEDC for Member use. If your materials, negligence, or deliberate misuse (and/or the materials, negligence, or deliberate misuse by your employees, guests, invitees, etc.) cause damage to the equipment, you may be assessed an additional fee to repair or replace the damaged piece of equipment. This can range from $25 for a minor repair to over $8,000 to replace an entire piece.
Instances of default include, but are not limited to: (i) non-payment of membership dues; (ii) non-payment of fees for services or materials; (iii) repeated late payments of any dues or fees; (iv) the monthly EFT payments or dues are interrupted or discontinued for any reason and you do not provide an acceptable alternative; (v) causing damage to or loss of LEDC property; (vi) acts of willful misconduct, recklessness or negligence; and (vii) failure to obey LEDC rules and regulations. Remedies for default are in LEDC’s sole discretion. They may include, but are not limited to: (a) barring you from access to any and all equipment and facilities; (b) requiring additional training at your expense; (c) charging your account for any losses, costs, expenses or damages associated with such default; and (d) termination for cause as provided in Section 24 Payment Terms, Cancellations and Termination below. Should LEDC chose, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, to charge your account for any default, LEDC shall have the right to, and you hereby authorize LEDC to, charge the credit card or bank account associated with your account for such amount. Additionally, LEDC may, in its sole discretion, chose to invoice you for any losses, costs, expenses or damages associated with such default, and you shall timely make payment of all sums due. Failure to make such payment when due shall be an additional default under this Agreement. All remedies under this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive.
7B. Certification for Equipment Usage
Members must complete Certification Training for the use of each specific piece of equipment. Members may not use any piece of equipment without first obtaining said certification. LEDC staff will provide a reasonable amount of time to lead members through the training process. The purpose of the training is only to promote the safe use of the equipment and in no way guarantees proficiency in and of all attributes of the equipment and its usage.
8. Use of Services, No Unlawful or Prohibited Use.
As a condition of your use of the Services, you will not use the Services for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these terms, conditions and notices. You may not use the Services in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair Utility Works MakerSpace or the individual businesses of its membership. You may not obtain or attempt to obtain any materials or information through any means not intentionally made available through the Services. You hereby represent and warrant that you have all requisite legal power and authority to enter into and abide by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and no further authorization or approval is necessary. You further represent and warrant that your participation or use of the Services will not conflict with or result in any breach of any license, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which you are a party.
You agree that when participating in or using the Services, you will not:
- Use the Services in connection with contests, pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or unsolicited message (commercial or otherwise);
- Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others;
- Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any inappropriate, profane, defamatory, obscene, indecent or unlawful topic, name, material or information on or through Utility Works Maker Space Services;
- Upload, or otherwise make available, files that contain images, photographs, software or other material protected by intellectual property laws, including, by way of example, and not as limitation, copyright or trademark laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless you own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consent to do the same;
- Use any material or information, including images or photographs, which are made available through the Services in any manner that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right of any party;
- Upload files that contain viruses, Trojan Horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another’s computer or property of another;
- Download any file(s) that you know, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally reproduced, displayed, performed, and/or distributed in such manner;
- Restrict or inhibit any other Member from using and enjoying the Services;
- Violate any code of conduct of other guidelines, which may be applicable for any particular Service (including the community rules established by the collective membership & leadership of Utility Works Maker Space);
- Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including email addresses, without the authorization or consent of the disclosing party;
- Violate any applicable laws or regulations; and
- Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
9. Disclosures Required By Law.
LEDC reserves the right at all times to disclose any information about you, your participation in and use of the Services as LEDC deems necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request, or to edit, refuse to post or to remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, in LEDC sole discretion.
10. Risk of Use/Assumption of Risk
Member acknowledges that he/she is using the facilities at his/her own free will and decision. Member acknowledges that LEDC does not have any liability with respect to Member's access, participation in, use of the facilities, or any loss resulting from such participation or use. LEDC shall not be liable for damaged, lost or stolen tools, equipment, work products, or other personal items belonging to the member. In the event of any interruption of Services, LEDC shall not be liable for, and you hereby release any claim against LEDC as a result of such interruption. LEDC shall notify Member prior to any anticipated Service interruption and shall diligently prosecute the repair or maintenance to completion.
Member acknowledges the inherent risks in the use of tools, equipment, devices, and hazardous materials of any kind commonly used in electronics construction, fabrication, software design and other technology related activities and that Member’s participation in such activities and/or use of such tools may result in injury, illness, death or damage to Member or Member’s personal property. Further, such risks and dangers may be caused by Member or Members’ guests. Finally, such injury, illness, death or damage to Member or Member’s personal property, may arise from foreseeable or unforeseeable causes including, without limitation, electrocution, burns, impalement, or slip and fall injuries. Member hereby fully assumes all such risks and any others which arise because of Member’s association with the Utility Works Maker Space.
11. Interruption of Service.
Member acknowledges that due to the imperfect nature of electronic communications, electronics and utilities, LEDC shall not be responsible for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the failure of LEDC to furnish any of the Services. The Company will, however, act in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner in working to remedy any flaws in the facilities or equipment, or delays in providing access to the facilities or equipment to the Member.
12. Non-Disparagement.
Member shall, during and after the participation in and use of the Services, refrain from making any statements or comments of a defamatory or disparaging nature to any third party regarding LEDC, or any of LEDC officers, directors, employees, personnel, agents, policies, services or products.
13. Disclaimer of Warranties.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, LEDC provides the Services “as is” and with all faults, and hereby disclaims with respect to the Services all warranties and conditions, whether express, implied or statutory. Also, there is no warranty, duty or condition of title, quiet enjoyment, quiet possession, correspondence to description or non-infringement. The entire risk as to the quality, or arising out of participation in or the use of the Services, remains with you.
14. Exclusion of Incidental, Consequential and Certain Other Damages.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall LEDC or its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives be liable for any lost profits, damage to business, or any form of special, indirect or consequential damage on account of any breach or default under this Agreement.
15. Limitation of Liability.
LEDC shall not be liable for any property damage which may be sustained by you or any other person, as a consequence of the failure, breakage, leakage, inadequacy, defect or obstruction of the water, plumbing, steam, sewer, waste or soil pipes, roof, drains, leaders, gutters, valleys, downspouts, or the like or of the electrical, gas, power, conveyor, refrigeration, sprinkler, air conditioning or heating systems, elevators or hoisting equipment; or by reason of the elements or the presence of dust, allergens or mold; or resulting from the carelessness, negligence or improper conduct on the part of any other Member or guest; or attributable to any interference with, interruption of or failure of any services to be furnished or supplied by LEDC.
16. Indemnification.
You release, and hereby agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless LEDC and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, expenses, judgments, fines and penalties based upon or arising out of your negligent actions, errors and omissions, willful misconduct and fraud in connection with the participation in, access to, or use of the Services. You further agree that in the event that you bring a claim or lawsuit in violation of this agreement, you shall be liable for any attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by LEDC or its respective officers, leadership, and agents in connection with the defense of such claim or lawsuit.
LEDC and its respective Board members, employees, volunteers, instructors, agents, contractors and officers shall not, to the extent permitted by law, be liable for, and the Member waives all right of recovery against LEDC and such individuals for any damage or claim with respect to any injury to person or damage to, or loss or destruction of, any property of Member, its contractors, employees and invitees due to any act, omission or occurrence in or about LEDC or the Building. Member agrees to indemnify, defend, protect and hold the Company and its respective Board members, employees, volunteers, instructors, agents, contractors and officers harmless from and against all claims of whatever nature arising out of Member's use of the facilities and occupancy of the Company.
17. Severability, Partial Invalidity, Waiver
Severability. In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
Partial Invalidity. If any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected, and each remaining provision shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Waiver. No delay or omission on the part of LEDC in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of such right or of any other right of the Company, nor shall any waiver of such right or rights on any one occasion be deemed a bar to, or waiver of, the same right or rights on any future occasion. The acceptance by LEDC of any payment, or of a sum less than is due, shall not be construed as a waiver of any of the Company's rights unless such waiver is in writing.
18. Entire Agreement; Amendment; Assignment.
This Agreement and the House Rules constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the matters discussed herein and supersedes all prior oral discussions and/or written correspondence, understandings, communication or agreements between the parties. This Agreement may be amended or modified by the LEDC at any time. Neither this Agreement nor any right granted hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise transferable. This Agreement is not, however, intended to limit any rights that Utility Works Maker Space may have under any other laws that may apply to the subject matter of this Agreement both during and after the term of this Agreement.
19. Relationship of the Parties.
Member is not an employee or contractor of the Company. LEDC has no right to the work produced by Members or guests working at the Company. Members shall maintain all copyrights, patents and any other proprietary rights related to the Member's works that are created using the facilities.
20. Master lease/termination.
THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT A LEASE AND DOES NOT CREATE OR REFLECT ANY FORM OF TENANCY OR INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY IN FAVOR OF THE MEMBER. This Agreement is subject and subordinate to a lease by and between LEDC and the owner of the Building. In the event that the LEDC’s master lease agreement for the leased premises is terminated for any reason whatsoever, LEDC has the absolute right to terminate this agreement and the termination date will coincide with the termination date of the master lease agreement. Said termination can be completed without penalty and member fees shall be adjusted accordingly to the date of termination. This Agreement shall terminate simultaneously with the termination of said lease.
This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
21. Return of Possession; Removal of Personal Property.
Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, all personal property of Member which shall remain on the Property shall be deemed to have been abandoned by Member and may be retained by LEDC as LEDC’s property or be disposed of, without liability to Member, in such manner as LEDC may deem fit.
22. House Rules
LEDC strives to provide a safe, productive and fun work environment for its members. In light of this mission, we ask you to obey the Utility Works MakerSpace House Rules for working in our facility. Failure to obey these House Rules can make our facilities dangerous or unwelcoming to others, and such actions on your part may result in your membership/license being terminated without advance notice. Please take them seriously. We reserve the right to change these House Rules as needed and with sufficient notice to members.
All memberships and any other use of the facilities at Utility Works MakerSpace are subject to the Utility Works MakerSpace House Rules, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and a copy of which is available on the Utility Works MakerSpace website.
23. Parking
Parking is neither provided nor guaranteed by the Company. Metered parking is available on the street and in the adjacent municipal parking lot.
24. Payment Terms, Cancellations and Termination
- This Agreement will remain in force until terminated by either party as described in this Agreement
- Payment for membership and space are due monthly on or before your billing date.
- Incoming payments may be applied to the oldest outstanding invoice if there is an outstanding balance on your account.
- Late fees, in the amount of 5% of the monthly fees due, will be charged 5 days after the billing date and monthly thereafter until the outstanding balance is paid in full.
- All monthly memberships are recurring by default.
- 30 days notice is required to terminate memberships and/or space licenses. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to the LEDC Executive Director and confirmed in writing. Verbal cancellations are not accepted.
- All membership purchases are final. Refunds are not offered for non- or partial-usage of services.
- If a membership billing error has occurred, please notify LEDC within 60 days of the said error by emailing Utility Works Maker Space. LEDC will not refund membership billing errors older than 60 days.
25. Release of liability – Assumption of risk – Limitation of liability
You understand that the activities performed by yourself and others at the MakerSpace involve a potential for risk of physical injury, injury to property and related damages. You understand that LEDC, does not manufacture the materials or equipment at the MakerSpace, but purchases and leases the materials and equipment from third parties. You acknowledge that members generally will use the materials and equipment and engage in activities at the MakerSpace without close supervision, and that each member will be solely responsible for his/her safe and appropriate use of materials, equipment and facilities. You expressly agree to assume the risk that you may suffer death, injury or damage as a result of your use, or as a result of other people’s use, of the MakerSpace materials, equipment and facilities, and agree for yourself and on behalf of your personal representatives, heirs, successors or assigns that the LEDC (including its owners, partners, members, managers, officers, attorneys, employees and agents) will not be liable for your death, injury or any other damages you may suffer in or about the facilities, except to the extent such damages or injuries are the result of the willful misconduct of the LEDC. You also agree that the LEDC will not be responsible or liable for any loss, theft or damage to your personal property in or about the facilities including, without limitation, any personal property stored at the MakerSpace or any proprietary information or materials. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the LEDC from and against any and all claims, suits, actions, causes of action, demands, fines, judgments, penalties, liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses arising during or after the expiration or other termination of this agreement which may be incurred by or asserted or alleged against the LEDC (including its owners, partners, members, managers, officers, attorneys, employees and agents) relating to or arising out of, or in connection with your use of the MakerSpace materials, equipment and facilities. This provision will survive termination of this agreement.
Under no circumstances will the LEDC be liable to you, or to your personal representatives, heirs, successors or assigns, for any special, indirect, incidental, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages. The LEDC makes no warranties regarding the facilities, equipment or materials and makes no representations regarding the same. You use the facilities, equipment and materials at your own risk. In no event shall the LEDC’s liability under this agreement exceed the dues paid by you to the LEDC.
26. Photo Release: I acknowledge that LEDC and others may take my picture and/or shoot video of my activities at the Utility Works MakerSpace and that these pictures and/or video may be used on the MakerSpace website, social media, or any publishing materials.
HOUSE RULES
ABOUT UTILITY WORKS
Welcome to membership at Utility Works MakerSpace and Brandywine LaunchBox! Founded in 2021, this community’s purpose is to provide the space and the inspiration makers and entrepreneurs need, all at an affordable price. We are partners with Penn State Brandywine. Penn State has dozens of LaunchBoxes and Innovation Hubs affiliated with their campuses all over Pennsylvania. Together, our mission is to strengthen the Delaware County/Southeastern PA areas’ entrepreneurial ecosystem by inspiring a growth mindset and assisting early-stage makers, creators, entrepreneurs and startup companies with tools and resources they need to launch and grow in this region. We will inspire creative enterprises, new products and services by providing the educational resources with the equipment and tools to nurture creative thought, hone skills and master craftsmanship in a cooperative studio environment.
Operated by the Lansdowne Economic Development Corp. (LEDC), Utility Works MakerSpace is a facility that places strong value on inclusion and transparency. As a not-for-profit, we only maintain a staff of three, none of whom, as it turns out, is a janitor. So please do your share to keep the place clean and safe.
Members keep Utility Works MakerSpace running smoothly. The LEDC staffs our own offices at 32 E. Baltimore Ave. (in our sister facility, Utility Works Creative Community) and one office here at the MakerSpace. Your staff person oversees the space, cleans and maintains the equipment, supervises use of the equipment, trains new members on the equipment if needed, arranges the classes and workshops, and generally tries to keep everyone happy and fulfilled. Your responsibility: joyfully participate! Start by keeping the classroom, conference room, bathrooms, and kitchenette cleaner than you found them. Next: keep it safe. Equipment, tools and other hazardous materials must always be handled and stored properly.
COMMUNITY
LEDC expects the member to recognize that we are a community and that all of us affect each other. Being respectful of others’ needs is part of being a good community member. Due to the nature of the open spaces within the building and the needs of the community of makers and entrepreneurs, members must be mindful that dust, smells, music, noise and or loud human interaction might be intrusive to others.
Organizational Information:
• LEDC: the non-profit parent corporation that leases the building and operates/manages Utility Works MakerSpace.
• LEDC Staff point person: Evan Ludwig, Manager
• LEDC Staff 2nd level of Contact: Executive Director Deborah Brodeur
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This guide is meant to help you get acclimated to our space and our community. This guide was created to help you find the resources and information you need to make the most of the opportunities in our community. It is part rulebook and part policy document, but it does not cover everything. We hope that reading this will be the first in many steps for you to participate as fully as possible at Utility Works MakerSpace.
MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT AND POLICIES & PROCEDURES
You can reference documents for information on billing and cancellation terms you agreed to when you enrolled as a member by reviewing your Membership Agreement. All memberships and any other use of the facilities at Utility Works MakerSpace are subject to the Utility Works MakerSpace Membership Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and a copy of which is available upon request to the staff member(s) listed above.
VIOLATIONS
If you violate the House Rules, your membership may be cancelled, with no refunds. As a general rule of thumb:
• If you violate a rule that is related to Life Safety, you will get one warning. A 2nd violation may result in your membership being cancelled.
• If you violate any other rule, you will get two warnings. A 3rd violation may result in your membership being cancelled.
ACCESS AND SECURITY
For 24/7 Suite members:
• When Utility Works MakerSpace is locked, your key fob will let you in the back door
• After hours, never let in anyone whose key fob does not open the back door.
Visitors, Customers and Guests:
Non-member Visitors, Customers, and Guests are permitted in Utility Works MakerSpace so long as they do not use the shared areas or interfere with other members. Visitors, Customers, Guests and their actions are the sole responsibility of the host member. You’ll need to arrange to meet your Visitors, Customers, and Guests at the door.
Visitors, Customers, and Guests must be accompanied by their member host at all times.
Pet Policy/Children Policy:
No pets are permitted in the building. No children under the age of 14 are permitted, except with permission from the LEDC.
YOUR SPACE
Rules For Your Suite:
• Individual suites are private and tools within them are private property
• Keep your suite clean and safe.
• All personal projects and items should be kept within your space. A common thread with shared space is leakage: items that sneak outside of the agreed upon footprint. These items need to move back into your space. At no time should your items be stored outside your space.
• Materials should be stacked neatly
• Suites are for working – do not use them as storage. We have project storage available that can help you maintain your working environment. In some cases shelving or other storage units work well to create more workspace.
Painting Your Space:
• Sorry, but you are not permitted to paint your space. You are, however, encouraged to decorate it with your art, using removable (contact) paper, 3M hooks, and other non-damaging supplies.
MAIL AND DELIVERIES
As a Studio/Suite member, you can have mail, small packages and deliveries addressed to:
Your Name
Utility Works MakerSpace
18 North Lansdowne Ave., Suite # ____
Lansdowne, PA 19050
Larger packages should be shipped elsewhere (to your home). The LEDC is not responsible for your deliveries.
• If you have a food delivery coming, be available to receive it.
• Please make sure the LEDC staff has all possible aliases and business names on file.
• The mail area is located near the staff office.
• Please stop and pick up your mail and packages daily, if possible.
• It is your responsibility to keep track of your incoming packages, and LEDC staff is not responsible for lost or stolen packages.
Other Members:
Got a question and not sure who/where/how/what to ask? Looking to meet some existing members? Check out the member directory on the Utility Works MakerSpace website.
SAFETY
General Safety:
If there is an emergency, call 911.
Be familiar with the Safety Map. Know where the nearest exits, first aid kits, eyewash stations and fire
extinguishers are at all times. Signs will be placed around the building indicating their location.
Individual Safety:
Obey all posted signs and literature pertaining to safe use of our facilities. These include, but are not limited to, signs regarding appropriate shop clothing and protective gear, techniques for safe equipment use, and material specific precautions for equipment. Do not use equipment you are not comfortable with or trained to use. Our strong preference is that you not operate heavy machinery without a partner in the facility; operate it individually at your own risk. Default to asking for help if uncertain.
Shared Safety:
In a shared and open facility like ours, it is possible for less experienced members to operate equipment dangerously without knowing it. Please stay on the lookout for unsafe behavior, and approach and offer feedback to fellow members if you believe they are working unsafely. Please notify staff immediately if you believe any piece of equipment or infrastructure to be unsafe.
FIRE SAFETY
Open Flame of any sort is prohibited, unless there is written permission from both LEDC and the Owner. Small open flames, such as those used for jewelry-making, may be permitted but permission must be given in writing. Member is responsible for adequate and environmentally safe ventilation of volatiles.
All combustible substances must be kept with the greatest degree of safety. Member must store any and all solvents and/or flammables in closed metal containers. Member may store up to 120 ml of linseed oil and up to one quart of turpentine, turpenoid, paint thinner/mineral spirits, or Gamsol / galkyd. Containers must be closed tightly. No liquid fuel is permitted to be stored in your space. If you have solvents, paints or other volatile liquids you need to store them in a certified and approved flammables cabinet. Rags or paper towels with any of the above solvents must be flattened and placed loosely in the fire proof metal waste containers provided by the member.
The waste container must be emptied and its contents removed from the building with the member. No rags used for any kind of solvent may remain anywhere in the building after the member leaves the building.
Non-Compliance with Fire Safety Requirements can lead to immediate termination of membership. When not in use, all heat-generating items (soldering irons, hot plates, heat guns, small ovens) are to be unplugged. These items should never be on without being attended. Power strips should not be connected into a second power strip to create a “daisy chain” of power strips. All power strips should have an overcurrent device and should be labeled as UL or other NRTL-approved. Extension cords should not be plugged into power strips. Extension cords should have a grounding pin in the plug and meet minimum gauge rating of 14 gauge for up to 25 feet. No extension cords over 25 feet long. Items should not be suspended from the ceiling.
FIRE LANES:
At no time should any items be stored in the fire lanes (hallways and walkable paths between the suites). Any items that are stored in the fire lanes will be moved out of the way and into the nearest suite. For fire safety reasons, there must be a 3-foot-wide walkable path at all times. All spaces should be kept in a neat and organized state.
Private suites:
A fully geared firefighter must be able to enter your space, turn around, and exit safely.
RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR
In both in-person and electronic interactions, behave respectfully, courteously, and professionally to your fellow members. No discrimination, harassment, or hate speech shall be tolerated.
Courtesy of Individual Spaces:
If you are licensing a suite from us, please keep your individual space relatively orderly. Do not enter any individual workspaces that are not yours without explicit permission.
Courtesy of Shared Spaces:
Keep noise levels to a respectful minimum for the comfort and enjoyment of those in the immediate area. Be especially respectful if there is a class taking place in the front classroom area or a meeting in the conference room. No loud music is permitted, you must use headphones or earbuds to listen to music. Please do not use speakerphone when on the phone. Use headphones or earbuds for online/virtual meetings and/or video conferencing.
No fumes or flames are permitted in unventilated areas.
Restore the shared spaces to be as clean as or cleaner than when you found them.
Please respect and do not interrupt any official Utility Works MakerSpace activities or classes in the shared spaces.
Presence:
Inactivity and lack of physical presence at our community facility can be detrimental to our mission and prevent others from using the space. Please inform us of any extended absences or extenuating circumstances that might prevent you from attending. Otherwise, we expect members to make regular use of our facilities.
Tolerance of Feedback:
Please be open to constructive feedback from fellow members, especially if it pertains to safe use of equipment and disrespectful communication or behavior.
STORAGE
Plan your storage needs in advance.
Please let us know about your storage needs as we may be able to provide shelving units and lockers if any are available. Please keep in mind when using provided shelving and lockers that other members may have storage needs as well. Please communicate and work together on sharing storage space if needed.
FOOD STORAGE
The Kitchenette:
Non-refrigerated food should not be stored in the kitchenette. Food should be stored in a drawer or cabinet, in your rented space, in a secure container. Perishable food should not be left out. If your food attracts rodents or pests, you will be financially responsible for extermination. Food rubbish should only be disposed of in the big trash cans in the back entryway. Please put food trash in a bag and tie it off before throwing it away. A microwave, hot water pot, and coffee maker are provided for your convenience. You must provide your own K cups (or equivalent) for coffee or hot cocoa.
Anything you leave out in the kitchen area will be considered common, including your dishes. Treat this space like a shared kitchen with lots of roommates: it is expected that you clean your dishes immediately. The refrigerator will be emptied out once a week, with the exception of condiments and drinks that will not spoil. Be sure you take your food with you at the end of the week or it will be tossed.
If you use the refrigerator to store your food during the week, be sure your name is on it. Unlabeled, super old or stinky food will be thrown away without abandon or possibly turned into artwork.
If it’s unlabeled and looks delicious, it might be considered fair game.
TRASH AND RECYCLING
With so many members, we generate a lot of waste. In order for the system to work, all members need to be involved! The Borough’s rules on trash and recycling can be found here: http://lansdowneborough. com/recycling program/and are also posted near the trash cans.
Recyclables should be rinsed prior to being put into the recycling bins.
Trash should be removed at regular intervals (weekly) and dust and dust bunnies need to be cleaned. Put your trash in the cans provided in the back by the stairs. All loose trash must be bagged.
Janitorial Issues:
Need soap, paper goods, trash liners, cleaning supplies, a mop? Talk to the staff person. A cleaning company comes in once a week to maintain the bathrooms, kitchen, and common areas, but supplies may need to be replenished before the cleaners come back. Or you may need a broom or mop for your own space. Just ask. The cleaning company does not enter private suites. Members with suites are expected to clean their own space.
STUDIO NEIGHBORLY
Talk to your neighbors! There may only be a few days a month where everyone in neighboring spaces is there together. Leave notes for each other. Make an effort to get to know those who are working around you. If you want to listen to music, headphones/earbuds are required until 4 pm
Participate in Open House Events:
It is a great deadline for space organization and cleaning and provides an opportunity for you to engage with hundreds of visitors over the year. Post a business card or other contact information outside your suite. Create a display about your work in your space to help engage with other members and be visible to visitors: a picture of the final project you are building, a stand for business cards, framed examples of past work, etc.
Individual public events:
Member must have written permission from the LEDC to hold a public event in the member’s suite and/or common areas. Permission must be arranged at least 3 weeks before the proposed event. Requests submitted with less than three weeks’ notice cannot be considered. Public event is defined as any event that brings people who are not members into the building, for example: public sales, public exhibits, open houses, open studios, classes, parties, meetings. LEDC will notify all other members 2 weeks in advance of any public event, including dates, times, purpose, number of expected guests and any special information the other members might need to know. Member might be required to provide specific event insurance unless LEDC’s insurance policy specifically includes such coverage.
Rentals (Classroom & Conference Room)
The Classroom and Conference Room are available to all members as a rental. Use of these room must be scheduled with and approved by the Manager. An application for use of either space is required. The Manager has the authority to reject any application that he/she feels may not be appropriate or which may be disruptive, dangerous, unhealthy, or unsafe.
GENERAL RULES
Smoking/Vaping:
Smoking is prohibited everywhere in the building and in all areas outside the building. This pertains to the member, member’s guests, contractors, students, customers, or any agents of the member. This also includes any kind of vape or e-cigarettes.
Alcohol:
Moderate/social alcohol consumption is permitted in your studio after 5pm so long as you abide by PLCB and PA liquor laws and regulations. Use of equipment is PROHIBITED following alcohol consumption. If you or a guest is intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will be asked to leave the premises and your membership may be revoked. Utility Works MakerSpace reserves the right to determine if someone is under the influence and is no longer able to work safely in the studio space.
Aerosol:
Spraying of any kind is not permitted except outdoors and inside a spray box. There should be no traces of spray anywhere. Member must wait until all fumes have volatilized away before bringing sprayed pieces into the building. This might mean that spraying must be done at the member’s home and not at Utility Works MakerSpace.
OTHER INFO
Insurance:
All members with suites are encouraged to obtain renters’ insurance to cover your furniture, equipment, products, and tools. The Owner and the LEDC maintain insurance to cover the building, but in the event of a fire, flood, plumbing leak, etc., your stuff is not covered by our insurance.
Utilities:
If you use excessive electricity or water, you may be asked to contribute toward this cost.
Maintenance & Repairs:
Members are responsible for maintaining their space in whole condition. Member is responsible for the cost of any repairs to their space and the common areas, as well as the equipment and furnishings, if the damage is caused by the member, member’s invitees, contractors, students, customers, or other agents of the member.
Sales Tax:
Member is responsible for her/his sales tax related to any sales of her/his work. LEDC does not collect any commission from Members’ sales and is not responsible for any related taxes.
Contact Info:
LEDC: the non-profit parent corporation that leases the building and operates/manages Utility Works MakerSpace.
LEDC Staff point person: Evan Ludwig Phone: 267.665.8459, Email: Evan@LansdownesFuture.org
LEDC Staff 2nd level of Contact: Executive Director, Deborah Brodeur Phone: 610.745.4063, Email: Debbie@LansdownesFuture.org
