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A maintenance controller describes the need for clear and consistent guidance from their management on the use of MEL 38-02 galley drains and MEL 38-04F lavatory water line/faucet sink. Both mels have verbiage that state 'no leaks allowed'. But controllers are instructed to issue an MEL to turn-off the water supply and ignore leakage verbiage in the drain MEL.

Narrative:

MEL 38-02; galley drains; and MEL 38-04F; lavatory water line/faucet/sink; both MEL's have verbiage that state no leaks allowed. In the past maintenance control personnel have had changing and conflicting guidance from maintenance control management about how to use/interpret this verbiage. Most personnel interpret the MEL as 'no leakage allowed' and refuse to issue a placard if drain line is confirmed to be leaking.management; in the past; has used two different approaches: taken aircraft out of service (OTS) once the drain line was troubleshot as leaking; and also at times instructed maintenance control personnel to MEL the water supply as a remedy to cover the leaking drain lines. Maintenance control personnel need clear and consistent guidance on the correct use of MEL 38-02 and 38-04F; when known leakage exist in the drain lines from the sinks. Is it correct usage of the MEL to also issue an MEL to turn-off the water supply and ignore the leakage verbiage in the drain mels? If this is a correct usage; then put a statement as such under MEL 38-02 and 38-04F to issue additional MEL to turn-off water supply. If this is incorrect usage of the MEL; management needs to issue a clear; concise statement of such; and insure all pertinent management and fleet engineering personnel understand and follow the guidance.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Maintenance Controller describes the need for clear and consistent guidance from their Management on the use of MEL 38-02 Galley Drains and MEL 38-04F lavatory water line/faucet sink. Both MELs have verbiage that state 'No leaks allowed'. But Controllers are instructed to issue an MEL to turn-off the water supply and ignore leakage verbiage in the drain MEL.

Narrative: MEL 38-02; Galley Drains; and MEL 38-04F; lavatory water line/faucet/sink; both MEL's have verbiage that state no leaks allowed. In the past Maintenance Control personnel have had changing and conflicting guidance from Maintenance Control Management about how to use/interpret this verbiage. Most personnel interpret the MEL as 'No Leakage Allowed' and refuse to issue a placard if drain line is confirmed to be leaking.Management; in the past; has used two different approaches: taken Aircraft Out of Service (OTS) once the drain line was troubleshot as leaking; and also at times instructed Maintenance Control personnel to MEL the water supply as a remedy to cover the leaking drain lines. Maintenance Control personnel need clear and consistent guidance on the correct use of MEL 38-02 and 38-04F; when known leakage exist in the drain lines from the sinks. Is it correct usage of the MEL to also issue an MEL to turn-off the water supply and ignore the leakage verbiage in the drain MELs? If this is a correct usage; then put a statement as such under MEL 38-02 and 38-04F to issue additional MEL to turn-off water supply. If this is incorrect usage of the MEL; Management needs to issue a clear; concise statement of such; and insure all pertinent Management and Fleet Engineering personnel understand and follow the guidance.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.