1. THE COMPUTER LABORATORY RULES AND REGULATIONS

1.1. Management of Computers and their Environment

After the establishment of the computer laboratory, a number of precautions should be observed to provide a safe conducive environment for teaching and learning as seen below:

a. Avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures that may damage hardware components.

b. Always use surge protectors, Uninterruptible Power supply (UPS), or voltage stabilizers to ensure a steady power supply to safeguard their system.

c. Protection against fires. A computer room should have fire extinguishers of carbon dioxide but not water or powder.

d. Proper cable installation and placement. Cables should be preferably along walls, avoiding the danger of exposing the use to electric shock

e. Burglar proofing to avoid unauthorized access to the computer room.

f. Fit strong locks, doors, windows, and roofing. Security should be good around the computer room to avoid thefts.

g. Overcrowding of either machines or people should be avoided.

h. Always install lightning conductors in the computer laboratory to protect the machines and the users of the computers. Ventilation should be good. Good aeration enables the computer to cool and hence avoids overheating

i. Minimize Electrical noise/interferences in the computer environment. Definition: ELECTRICAL NOISE refers to externally radiated signals or electrical that cause undesirable additions to the current voltage. Electrical noise is commonly generated by devices like Fluorescent lights of high frequency, Motors, Battery Chargers, Inverters, Radios, television, and Cell phones.

(i) Dust control. When setting up the computer laboratory, consider a location away from excessive dust. The room should have special curtains and computers should remain covered using dust covers when not in use.

(ii) Dump Control: Humidity must be regulated in the computer laboratory to remain at an optimum 50%. Low humidity may cause static electricity to build and damage sensitive components. High Humidity of over 70% may cause rusting of the metallic parts of the computer system.

(iii) A computer room should have enough light to avoid eyestrain and headaches.

(iv) Radiation filter screens should be fitted to reduce the light that reaches the eye.

(v) Standard furniture: The table on which a computer is placed must be strong and wide enough to bear the weight and accommodate all the peripheral devices