An A320 crew reports difficulty with MEL 'lavatory smoke detector test.' there is no option for steps east and F. MEL procedure incorrect.

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Attributes
ACN	659197
Time
Date	200505
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : zzz.airport
State Reference	US
Altitude	agl single value : 0
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	ground : preflight
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain
ASRS Report	659197
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
ASRS Report	659196
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe maintenance problem : non compliance with mel non adherence : far non adherence : published procedure
Independent Detector	other flight crewa other flight crewb other other : 3
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	other other
Factors
Maintenance	contributing factor : schedule pressure contributing factor : manuals performance deficiency : logbook entry performance deficiency : non compliance with legal requirements performance deficiency : testing performance deficiency : repair performance deficiency : fault isolation
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance Chart Or Publication Aircraft Maintenance Human Performance
Primary Problem	Chart Or Publication
Situations
Publication	Minimum Equip List

Narrative:

We picked up an aircraft for a flight to ZZZ. It had an MEL 26-25-01 cond #1. This MEL requires the crew to perform a 'lavatory smoke detector check.' we complied; however; were unable to finish the check as written in the MEL. When we got to line item east; 'select system status' there is no option for that or line item F. 'Press cont and observe lavatory smoke system ok.' however; prior to that after completing line item D; there is a message that states 'test ok.' we called line maintenance and had them perform the procedure; with same results; and they said the test was complete since we got 'test ok' in line item D. We never got to line item F; and got 'lavatory smoke system ok.' we left for ZZZ and had ZZZ maintenance perform the procedure; with same results. Maybe none of us executed this MEL correctly or perhaps this procedure needs to be rewritten so safety is not compromised; if the test was never fully completed. That way; other crews and the company won't take any further delays for this MEL.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AN A320 CREW RPTS DIFFICULTY WITH MEL 'LAVATORY SMOKE DETECTOR TEST.' THERE IS NO OPTION FOR STEPS E AND F. MEL PROC INCORRECT.

Narrative: WE PICKED UP AN ACFT FOR A FLT TO ZZZ. IT HAD AN MEL 26-25-01 COND #1. THIS MEL REQUIRES THE CREW TO PERFORM A 'LAVATORY SMOKE DETECTOR CHK.' WE COMPLIED; HOWEVER; WERE UNABLE TO FINISH THE CHK AS WRITTEN IN THE MEL. WHEN WE GOT TO LINE ITEM E; 'SELECT SYS STATUS' THERE IS NO OPTION FOR THAT OR LINE ITEM F. 'PRESS CONT AND OBSERVE LAVATORY SMOKE SYS OK.' HOWEVER; PRIOR TO THAT AFTER COMPLETING LINE ITEM D; THERE IS A MESSAGE THAT STATES 'TEST OK.' WE CALLED LINE MAINT AND HAD THEM PERFORM THE PROC; WITH SAME RESULTS; AND THEY SAID THE TEST WAS COMPLETE SINCE WE GOT 'TEST OK' IN LINE ITEM D. WE NEVER GOT TO LINE ITEM F; AND GOT 'LAVATORY SMOKE SYS OK.' WE LEFT FOR ZZZ AND HAD ZZZ MAINT PERFORM THE PROC; WITH SAME RESULTS. MAYBE NONE OF US EXECUTED THIS MEL CORRECTLY OR PERHAPS THIS PROC NEEDS TO BE REWRITTEN SO SAFETY IS NOT COMPROMISED; IF THE TEST WAS NEVER FULLY COMPLETED. THAT WAY; OTHER CREWS AND THE COMPANY WON'T TAKE ANY FURTHER DELAYS FOR THIS MEL.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.