Rationale of LMCF rules
In case you are wondering why some of the rules are necessary. . .
| All users must be trained by LMCF staff to use the microscope(s) | Users then know how to operate the microscope properly, we know who is using the microscopes, training is free and tailored to your needs |
| Always reserve the microscope using the online booking calendar | Helps avoid clashes, lets any user signed up later to know the scope has been left on for them, helps LMCF with billing |
| Start on time . . . don't book excessive time . . . notify the next user if you finish early | We get the most out of the scopes. It's not ideal if a scope is booked solidly all day but sits unused for an hour or two. |
| All Arc lamps must be kept on for 30 min minimum and need to cool for 30 min before being reignited | Turning an arc lamp on and off reduces its life. If the lamp is switched off before it has fully warmed up mercury condenses on the glass :( Having minimum times for the lamp to be on and off increases the lifetime of the expensive bulbs |
| Check the online booking calendar at the end of your session; leave the system on if someone is booked within . . . | Turning lasers/arc lamps on and off reduces their lifetime. The procedures are designed to prolong the life of the $$$ components |
| Three "no-shows" result in all booked but unused time being charged for. | To discourage wasted time. Some microscopes are often booked all day and somebody else could have used the time if the reservation had been cancelled. |