www.machinerylubrication.com | March - April 2022 | 15
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Indoor vs. Outdoor Storage
Indoor storage is always preferable to outdoor storage. Indoor storage
spaces allow for more consistent temperature control and typically
provide more protection from potential sources of contamination.
Ideally, the storeroom will be set up in such a way that oil containers
can be rotated and a first-in-first-out system can be implemented.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to store lubricants indoors. If
outside storage is the only option, store oil drums horizontally and try
to find some covering to protect the lubricants from the elements. You
can deal with outside storing conditions more effectively by carefully
tracking lubricant consumption. By using up all the stored lubricants
and replacing them just before you run out, you can minimize exposure
to outdoor conditions.
Maintaining Storage Conditions
As with most aspects of a quality lubrication program, best practice
lubricant storage techniques can only be effective if they are properly
maintained. It is essential to keep the lube room neat and the lubricants
and tools properly labeled. And unless lubricant reception and usage
are carefully tracked, the system will quickly become ineffective, and
lubricants will degrade at devastating rates. ML
About the Author
Travis Richardson is a technical consultant for Noria Corpora-
tion. He holds a Level II Machine Lubrication Technician
(MLT) certification and a Level III Machine Lubricant Analyst
(MLA) certification through the International Council for
Machinery Lubrication (ICML). Contact Travis at trichardson@noria.com.
