DOC AIRBUS | AMM A320FInspection after Mercury Spillage
TASK 51-78-00-200-001-A
Inspection after Mercury Spillage
You must do the inspection when mercury is spilled in the cargo compartment. Mercury and mercury compounds, are heavily corrosive on a wide range of metallic materials, especially on aluminum alloys. When mercury is spilled in the aircraft there is a high risk of serious damage to the structure. Corrosion caused by spilled mercury can destroy a large area, although only a small amount of mercury is spilled. Heavy destruction can occur within a few hours.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Fixtures, Tools, Test and Support Equipment
B. Consumable Materials
C. Work Zones and Access Panels
D. Referenced Information
3. Job Set-up
Subtask 51-78-00-941-055-A
Subtask 51-78-00-615-050-A
Subtask 51-78-00-110-055-A
[Rev.10 from 2021]
2026.04.01 01:35:00 UTC
Inspection after Mercury Spillage
WARNING:
ALWAYS SUPPLY SUFFICIENT VENTILATION WHILE YOU CLEAN AREAS WHERE THERE IS MERCURY CONTAMINATION. MERCURY VAPORS ARE TOXIC.
WARNING:
DO NOT TRY TO COLLECT MERCURY BY HAND.
WARNING:
DO NOT BREATHE MERCURY VAPORS. USE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. THE AIR FROM THE VACUUM CLEANER CONTAINS MERCURY VAPORS COLLECTED DURING CONTACT WITH THE MERCURY DEPOSITED IN THE GLASS CONTAINER.
WARNING:
DO NOT USE THE AIR HOSE TO REMOVE MERCURY FROM THE AIRCRAFT.
1. Reason for the JobYou must do the inspection when mercury is spilled in the cargo compartment. Mercury and mercury compounds, are heavily corrosive on a wide range of metallic materials, especially on aluminum alloys. When mercury is spilled in the aircraft there is a high risk of serious damage to the structure. Corrosion caused by spilled mercury can destroy a large area, although only a small amount of mercury is spilled. Heavy destruction can occur within a few hours.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Fixtures, Tools, Test and Support Equipment
| REFERENCE | QTY | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|---|
| No specific | 1 | CARDBOARD |
| No specific | AR | SAFETY BARRIER(S) |
| No specific | AR | SAFETY CLIP - CIRCUIT BREAKER |
| No specific | 1 | SHEET - FIBER GLASS |
| No specific | 1 | SOFT SOAP |
| No specific | 1 | VACUUM CLEANER |
| No specific | 1 | WARNING NOTICE(S) |
| No specific | 1 | X-RAY EQUIPMENT - PORTABLE |
| REFERENCE | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|
| No specific | AIR COMPRESSOR |
| No specific | WOODS |
| No specific | battery water rubber-syringe |
| No specific | cellulose tape |
| No specific | medicine dropper |
| No specific | mercury sniffer |
| No specific | paper trough |
| ZONE/ACCESS | ZONE DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 825, 826 |
| REFERENCE | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|
| TASK 52-30-00-860-001-A | Open the FWD or Aft Cargo-Compartment Door with the Yellow Electric Pump |
| TASK 52-30-00-860-003-A | Open the FWD or Aft Cargo-Compartment Door with the Hand Pump |
| TASK 53-22-14-000-001-A | Removal of the Forward Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels |
| TASK 53-22-14-400-001-A | Installation of the Forward Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels |
| TASK 53-22-14-400-001-A-01 | Installation of the Forward Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels (Alternative Installation Procedure with the Skyflex Option) |
| TASK 53-42-14-000-001-A | Removal of the Aft Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels Zone 150 |
| TASK 53-42-14-400-001-A | Installation of the Aft Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels Zone 150 |
| TASK 53-42-14-400-001-A-01 | Installation of the Aft Cargo-Compartment Floor-Panels (Alternative Installation Procedure with the Skyflex Option) |
| SRM 512200 | |
| SRM 530200 |
Subtask 51-78-00-941-055-A
A. Safety Precautions
(1) As necessary, use the applicable SAFETY BARRIERS, specified by the operator's instructions and your local regulations.
(2) On the panel 2020VU put a WARNING NOTICE(S) to tell persons to keep out of the work areas.
Subtask 51-78-00-010-054-A Subtask 51-78-00-869-050-A (1) As necessary, use the applicable SAFETY BARRIERS, specified by the operator's instructions and your local regulations.
(2) On the panel 2020VU put a WARNING NOTICE(S) to tell persons to keep out of the work areas.
C. Ventilation of the Cargo Compartment
(1) Blow clean filtered air from an AIR COMPRESSOR through the cargo compartment, as follows:
(a) Put the air compressor near the aircraft.
(b) Put the end of the air compressor supply hose into the compartment through the door.
(c) Start the air compressor and make sure that the air flows through the cargo compartment.
Subtask 51-78-00-865-065-A (1) Blow clean filtered air from an AIR COMPRESSOR through the cargo compartment, as follows:
(a) Put the air compressor near the aircraft.
(b) Put the end of the air compressor supply hose into the compartment through the door.
(c) Start the air compressor and make sure that the air flows through the cargo compartment.
D. Open, safety and tag this(these) circuit breaker(s):
4. Procedure| PANEL | DESIGNATION | FIN | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL | |||
| 2000VU | SEMI AUTO CLS-FWD | 3MY | E08 |
| 2000VU | SEMI AUTO CLS-FWD | 2MY | E06 |
| 2001VU | SEMI AUTO CLS-AFT | 103MY | D08 |
| 2001VU | SEMI AUTO CLS-AFT | 102MY | D06 |
Subtask 51-78-00-615-050-A
A. Cleaning of the Contaminated Area
(1) Mark the area that is contaminated by mercury spillage.
(2) Isolate the contaminated area, do not let mercury spread from the contaminated areas to the clean areas. Do not walk through or move parts from the contaminated area into the clean areas of the aircraft.
(3) Do not touch the surfaces that you suspect of contamination. Use WOODS and SHEET - FIBER GLASS to support your body while you work on the contaminated area.
(a) Collect all the visible mercury with a CARDBOARD or a paper trough.
(b) Collect the mercury with a VACUUM CLEANER.
(c) To collect small particles of mercury use cellulose tape.
(d) If there is a larger quantity collect the mercury with a medicine dropper or a battery water rubber-syringe.
(e) To check under floor zones, use a mercury sniffer and a X-RAY EQUIPMENT - PORTABLE.
Subtask 51-78-00-210-050-A (1) Mark the area that is contaminated by mercury spillage.
(2) Isolate the contaminated area, do not let mercury spread from the contaminated areas to the clean areas. Do not walk through or move parts from the contaminated area into the clean areas of the aircraft.
(3) Do not touch the surfaces that you suspect of contamination. Use WOODS and SHEET - FIBER GLASS to support your body while you work on the contaminated area.
NOTE: Do not use contaminated protective clothing in clean areas.
(4) Remove mercury spillage as follows: (a) Collect all the visible mercury with a CARDBOARD or a paper trough.
(b) Collect the mercury with a VACUUM CLEANER.
(c) To collect small particles of mercury use cellulose tape.
(d) If there is a larger quantity collect the mercury with a medicine dropper or a battery water rubber-syringe.
(e) To check under floor zones, use a mercury sniffer and a X-RAY EQUIPMENT - PORTABLE.
B. Inspection of the Cargo Compartment (Ref. AMM TASK 53-22-14-000-001) (Ref. AMM TASK 53-42-14-000-001) SRM 512200 SRM 530200
5. Close-upNOTE: When you find mercury on the floor, do not remove access/inspection plates, screws, rivets, bolts, etc., from the floor. A hole in the contaminated area of the floor may let the mercury spread to the structure below the floor.
| ITEM | INSP. CODE | INSP. TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED | PHASE 1 | PHASE 2 | PHASE 3 | INSP. SIGN | DETAIL (FIG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 1. | | Do a visual inspection of the cargo compartment floor, the componemts of the cargo loading system and the lowest point of the structure: - remove the mercury. | X | | | | |
| 2. | | Do a visual inspection of the non-visible contamined areas with a mercury sniffer: - remove the mercury. | X | | | | |
| 3. | | Remove floor panels in the contaminated zones: - FWD cargo compartment floor (Ref. AMM TASK 53-22-14-000-001), - aft cargo compartment floor (Ref. TASK 53-43-14-00-001). | X | | | | |
| 4. | | Do a visual inspection of the bottom of the fuselage. Do an inspection of the skin and the internal structure below the point of spillage. If mercury spillage has occurred in the cargo area, do an inspection of the lowest point of the fuselage below the cargo compartment floor: - remove the mercury. | X | | | | |
| 5. | | Do an inspection with a mercury sniffer or a portable X-ray equipment of the non-visible contaminated areas between the skin, stringer and frames below the floor. NOTE Droplets of mercury are shown on the X-ray equipment as small white spots. - remove the mercury. | X | | | | |
| 6. | | Do an inspection of the stucture. | X | | | | |
| A. | | Use a portable X-ray equipment to examine the hidden corrosion areas between the skin, stringers and frames below the floor. If you find damage: - do a repair (Ref. SRM 51-22-00-00). | | X | | | |
| 7. | | Examine all the removable compo- nents. If you find damage: - do a repair (Ref. SRM 53-02-00-02). | X | X | | | |
Subtask 51-78-00-110-055-A
A. Cleaning of the Tools
(1) Clean all the tools used in the contaminated areas with steam or hot water and SOFT SOAP.
(2) Discard twist drills and other cutting tools used on the contaminated structure.
(3) Thoroughly clean all the protective clothing with water and SOFT SOAP after use in the contaminated areas.
Thoroughly wash your hands with water and SOFT SOAP before you touch your face.
Subtask 51-78-00-865-066-A (1) Clean all the tools used in the contaminated areas with steam or hot water and SOFT SOAP.
(2) Discard twist drills and other cutting tools used on the contaminated structure.
(3) Thoroughly clean all the protective clothing with water and SOFT SOAP after use in the contaminated areas.
Thoroughly wash your hands with water and SOFT SOAP before you touch your face.
B. Remove the safety clip(s) and the tag(s) and close this(these) circuit breaker(s):
Subtask 51-78-00-410-054-A | PANEL | DESIGNATION | FIN | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| ** ON A/C NOT FOR ALL | |||
| 2000VU | SEMI AUTO CLS-FWD | 3MY | E08 |
| 2000VU | SEMI AUTO CLS-FWD | 2MY | E06 |
| 2001VU | SEMI AUTO CLS-AFT | 103MY | D08 |
| 2001VU | SEMI AUTO CLS-AFT | 102MY | D06 |
C. Close Access
(1) Install the floor panels of the cargo compartment (Ref. AMM TASK 53-22-14-400-001) (Ref. AMM TASK 53-42-14-400-001).
(2) Close the cargo compartment doors (Ref. AMM TASK 52-30-00-860-003).
Subtask 51-78-00-942-054-A (1) Install the floor panels of the cargo compartment (Ref. AMM TASK 53-22-14-400-001) (Ref. AMM TASK 53-42-14-400-001).
(2) Close the cargo compartment doors (Ref. AMM TASK 52-30-00-860-003).
D. Put the Aircraft Back to its Initial Configuration
(1) Remove the WARNING NOTICE(S).
(2) Remove the ground support and maintenance equipment, the special and standard tools and all other items.
(3) Make sure that the work area is clean and clear of tools and other items.
(1) Remove the WARNING NOTICE(S).
(2) Remove the ground support and maintenance equipment, the special and standard tools and all other items.
(3) Make sure that the work area is clean and clear of tools and other items.