Each time you make a booking on SiSo you will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions of booking which are listed below. Once you collect a booking you are bound by these terms and conditions. 

PORTABLE EQUIPMENT BORROWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

Equipment will only be loaned to named individuals who are registered and activated on the SiSo online booking system. 

Equipment will only be released from on production of a valid student or staff ID card. The equipment is the responsibility of the individual who signs for it. You may not take out equipment on behalf of others. 

Bookings must be made online using the SiSo booking system. Bookings requested at the counter or by email will be carried out at the discretion of the staff. Our bookings desks take no responsibility for any errors in this type of booking and it is the user’s responsibility to check the details once the booking is made. 

The maximum loan period is seven consecutive days. Some items may be less. In the interests of fair usage of equipment you may not place back to back bookings. These will be removed from the system by staff. 

Extensions to bookings are at the discretion of staff and cannot be just assumed or guaranteed. 

Equipment must be collected within 2 hours of the collection time and returned before the return time specified on your booking – you will need to check the details on your SiSo account for these times and dates. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in a penalty and withdrawal of your equipment privileges. 

Please ensure that equipment is returned in the condition it was loaned. For example tripod plates must not be left on cameras, cables must be coiled properly. If equipment is returned in a poorly packed state, wet or dirty, you will be asked to repack the equipment, dry or clean it. If this is undertaken by the staff you may be charged a cleaning fee 

It is your responsibility to check the condition of all equipment at the time of collection. Any missing items, damage to kit or non-working kit must be reported before leaving the collection desk. Once any equipment leaves the collection desk, you become liable for the repair or full replacement costs if any part of the equipment is lost, damaged or stolen – you must make sure that everything listed on the tag is in the bag before you leave the collection desk. Upon return we aim to check all equipment immediatel. During busy periods this is sometimes not possible. You will be notified within 7 days if we discover any missing items or damage. 

All repair and full replacement costs will be quoted on a case-by-case basis. Faults that are discovered or damage incurred while you are in possession of the equipment must be reported to the staff as soon as possible. 

You will not be able to borrow equipment until you have paid any penalties on your account. Any lost or damaged equipment taken out for teaching purposes will be charged to that department. 

If taking equipment abroad please ensure your travel insurance will cover the cost of the equipment as this is not always the case. 

You must not use the equipment/ facilities in a way that breaches any Northumbria University guidelines, policies, regulations or that brings Northumbria University into disrepute. 

Student users are not permitted to use this equipment for profit/commercial or private use. 

There are times when we may need to place equipment into maintenance. Whether this is routine or because it has been returned faulty you will be notified by SiSo if it affects your booking. If an item is removed from your booking because of this we will endeavour to offer an alternative but this may not always be possible. 

Some high value items may contain tracking devices which are used to locate equipment in the event of loss or non-return. 

You are forbidden from installing or altering any software or firmware on equipment without permission from the technical staff. 

The equipment is for the sole use of the person making the booking. Under no circumstances must you swap or lend equipment with another student without informing the collection desk. 

WORKBENCH AND LAB EQUIPMENT BOOKINGS 

Workbenches and lab equipment can only be booked by registered users on the SiSo system and must be reserved online, requests at the counter or by email are at staff discretion. The maximum booking length for benches or equipment is published on SiSo. Users must vacate promptly at the end of their booking and leave benches clean and tidy with all tools or equipment returned. Damage, faults, or missing items must be reported immediately or users may be held liable for repair or replacement costs if issues are not reported. Safety rules must be followed at all times and inductions may be required for specialist equipment. Lab facilities are strictly for academic use and may not be used for personal, commercial, or private projects without approval. Bookings are for the individual who made them and cannot be transferred to others; some specialist equipment may require staff supervision or training as outlined on the SiSo booking page. 

OPENING HOURS 

Siso Labs and Workshops opening hours are published on the SiSo website. On occasion these can change and any changes will be published on the website. 

The list of equipment available to you is viewable on SiSo. 

We cannot guarantee the availability of all equipment over the summer months as equipment maintenance and testing is required during this period. 

FEEDBACK & COMPLAINTS 

Comments and Feedback 

If you have an issue to raise regarding the Labs & Workshops you can e-mail us 

You will receive a response as soon as possible. 

 It is important to raise any issues (positive or negative) with your student representative or course leader, as they will attend various group meetings where they will be able to raise 

These terms and conditions may be changed throughout academic year at any time. You will be notified on the SiSo website.