Safety Inspection vs Inspection?

[ollien]

I realized this after we left practice day at our event. We had gotten inspected, but I keep hearing something about "safety inspection." What is this? Do we need to do something else before we're allowed to play a match? Perhaps I'm blind, but I don't see anything in the manual.

Thank you!

[kevin.li.rit]

It's usually something else for teams who haven't passed inspection who want to use the field for practice to make sure they don't damage other robots or the field.

[ollien]

It's usually something else for teams who haven't passed inspection who want to use the field for practice to make sure they don't damage other robots or the field.

So in other words, if we've passed inspection, we're good?

[kevin.li.rit]

Yes.

[ollien]

Thank you!

[engunneer]

The UL safety advisers will also check out your pit for safety, but there is no formal safety inspection beyond the safety elements of the normal robot inspection.

[DonRotolo]

In terms of a Robot Inspector, the "Safety Inspection" allows you to participate in practice matches. The RI will give a brief check for any major safety issues, such as no bumpers, grossly miswired power, chainsaws and axes, that sort of stuff. That is typically done at weigh-in, and takes a few tens of seconds only. Your safety inspection is completed when you get your inspection sticker, and your full inspection is when you get your colored dot and the inspectors initials on the sticker.

[rich2202]

1) There is no such thing in the manual about "safety inspection". the robot has either passed Inspection, or not. 5.5.2 allows for uninspected robots to play in practice matches. However, an LRI or Head Ref can determine that a robot is unsafe and disallow the robot from further participation until it has passed inspection.

2) There are times when RI's hang out in the Que giving robots a quick once-over before they get on the field. They are primarily looking for secured batteries, bumpers, etc. You might consider that a "safety inspection".

3) Even if you have passed inspection (and multiple inspections), that doesn't prevent a RI from finding something that has to be fixed.

[jee7s]

Adding to the above points...

There's also a practice at certain events where you get the white part of the inspection sticker after you pass the first half page or so of the inspection check list. This is analogous to "safety inspection" as described in this thread. It's the gross check on obvious hazards. Then, after the full checklist is complete, you sign the sheet, get the colored dot, and the white part gets initialed. That means you've passed initial inspection, makes you eligible to compete in qualification and playoff matches, and allows you to enter the filler line for practice matches.

It's not documented anywhere, but that's been my experience with it. Some events do this, some do not. Your mileage and experience may vary.

[protoserge]

The inspection process should not be different at any events.

As noted before, robots do not need to pass inspection to play practice matches.

[DonRotolo]

The inspection process should not be different at any event
I disagree. The inspection process should be completely different at each event. In fact, it should be dramatically different even from inspector to inspector!

(Today is 4/1/16 FWIW)

[rsisk]

The inspection process should not be different at any events.

As noted before, robots do not need to pass inspection to play practice matches.

They do need to be safe in order to practice, and that is where the concept of the Safety Inspection comes from

Section 5.5.2 of the game manual..

ROBOTS are permitted to participate in scheduled Practice MATCHES prior to passing Inspection. However, the FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA), LRI or Head REFEREE may determine at any time that the ROBOT is unsafe, per Section 3 (3.4.1 Safety Rules), and may prohibit further participation in Practice MATCHES until the condition is corrected and the ROBOT passes Inspection.

How a robot is determined to be safe does vary between events and is usually driven by a discussion between the LRI and FTA before practice matches and communicated to the teams during the driver meeting.

[scottgoering]

They do need to be safe in order to practice, and that is where the concept of the Safety Inspection comes from

Section 5.5.2 of the game manual..


How a robot is determined to be safe does vary between events and is usually driven by a discussion between the LRI and FTA before practice matches and communicated to the teams during the driver meeting.

The assumption generally is that a robot is safe, unless deemed otherwise. There's no concept or definition of a Safety Inspection in the rules and is not something that is checked prior to participating in practice matches.

The exception to all of the above is the Filler Line. You must have fully passed inspection in order to participate in practice matches via the Filler Line.

[BeardyMentor]

In terms of a Robot Inspector, the "Safety Inspection" allows you to participate in practice matches. The RI will give a brief check for any major safety issues, such as no bumpers, grossly miswired power, chainsaws and axes, that sort of stuff. That is typically done at weigh-in, and takes a few tens of seconds only. Your safety inspection is completed when you get your inspection sticker, and your full inspection is when you get your colored dot and the inspectors initials on the sticker.

No chainsaws or axes!? darnit..... this means we need to rethink our DCMP strategy