LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

1. Describe the Maintenance Data System and identify its associated forms.

2. Identify the primary technical manuals associated with the routine duties of the Fire Controlman

INTRODUCTION

"Technical administration" is a broad term that defines the methods used to document the completion of job tasks. Whether a task is part of equipment maintenance or repair, it is not fully completed until all documenting paperwork has been completed. You, as the technician, are responsible for ensuring that all paperwork is completed for each task you are assigned.

The technical administration for most of your job tasks is prescribed by the ship's Maintenance and Material Management System (3-M) manual. The 3-M manual (OPNAVINST 4790.4 series) discusses this system in detail. Part of the Maintenance and Material Management System includes the Maintenance Data System (MDS). This chapter discusses MDS and some of the manuals in the technical library that are useful in completing Fire Controlman paperwork.

THE MAINTENANCE DATA SYSTEM

The Maintenance Data System (MDS) enables technicians and their supervisors to record maintenance actions in substantial detail. This provides a variety of retrievable reports concerning maintenance and the performance of the equipment. One of the major objectives of MDS is to provide the capability to report configuration changes. A configuration change is generally defined as "the addition, deletion, modification, or relocation of any piece of installed equipment aboard a ship." From your viewpoint, the reason it is important for your command to report configuration changes is to ensure that you have the required parts support that you need to maintain and repair your equipment.

The usefulness of the MDS depends on the accuracy, thoroughness, and timeliness of the reported information. Programs for improving the reliability, maintainability, and logistic support of your equipment depend on how conscientiously you adhere to the reporting procedures.

This section briefly describes the major components of the MDS: MDS forms, the Current Ship's Maintenance Project reports, and the Planned Maintenance System.