COVID-19 outbreak definitely affects our industry and flights traffic being drastically reduced, operators need to review and adapt their routine operations and maintenance tasks to maintain equipment integrity. You will find below, form our manufacturer standpoint, guidance to help you managing operations under these conditions but also to prepare for a return to normal service levels when activity begins to recover.

Guidance is provided to operations where there is either limited or zero airfield operations, for:

  • Maintaining Operations, or
  • Decommissioning equipment where necessary.

This guidance could not supersede company guidelines and local legislation operators shall comply with. Main goal remains to preserve equipment and product integrity, and ensure equipment will remain either operational and compliant or decommissioned and easily set back in service.

Our team remains at your disposal for any interventions and we invite you to contact us to plan the response to your needs and prepare to return to activities.

Precautions for use of equipment at reduced level

For equipment that remains operational at reduced level or reduced frequency, and where decommissioning is not an option, the frequency of some routine tasks may be considered for relaxation, provided there are no fundamental issues or failures and always based on a risk-based MOC plan (management of change) and approved variance. The Variance shall be reviewed monthly during this period. The circumstances for reduced frequency shall only be based on non-availability of key maintenance personnel or third-party contractors due either to travel restrictions, necessary self-isolation or perceived high risk of infection if on site.

For equipment in less frequent (than normal) use, the following examples may need to be considered for relaxation, under mitigation as part of an approved variance:

  • Sump flushing of tanks and filters may be done less than daily if granted in variance plan but shall be done at least weekly and mandatorily before use, after heavy rainfalls and vehicle washing.
  • Always keep the filter vessel fully filled with jet fuel during periods of reduced activity / inactivity. Ensure that a filter is not drained as a result of sampling.
  • Operate vehicles at least weekly by circulation where possible, at the highest possible flow rate, this may be done on a test rig for dispensers or by recirculation for fuellers.
  • Weekly equipment checks may be performed less frequently but at least monthly and mandatorily before use.
  • After conducting a 360° walkaround check, start and drive vehicles at least weekly for the time required to replace start up charge drawn from batteries.
    • Keep a record of the voltage and intensity of the battery in case of the battery fails and an external start is needed;
    • Check and record tyre pressures;
    • Check all chassis fluids (fuel, oil, coolant, washer, …)
    • Check all hoses (fuel and hydraulic) for cracks of wear;
    • Check all dial gauges liquid level;
    • Check hydraulic tank level and oil transparency;
  • Daily equipment condition checks (bonding cables, etc.) may be performed less frequently if granted in variance plan but at least weekly and mandatorily before use.
  • Monthly maintenance checks may be delayed by up to 2 weeks if granted in variance plan.

 

REDS teams remains at your disposal to advise you about maintenance and checks for your equipment. We stay at your side and you can contact us by phone or email.

Need advices or intervention?

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