Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1336798
14 | January - February 2021 | www . machinerylubrication.com " LUBRICANT RECEPTION & STORAGE Paul Farless | Noria Corporation In many ways, the future of your lubricants is the future of your machinery." Store, Plan, Execute, Excel: (R2P) Lubricant Storage and Lube Room Factor Overview Factor: R2P Around the industry these days, we all hear similar things about keeping in service lubri- cants clean, cool and dry. But what about the lubricants that aren't in-service yet? ose lubri- cants are just as (if not more) important to keep clean. In many ways, the future of your lubricants is the future of your machinery. Just as you store spare parts properly so they are ready for service without compromise and at a moment's notice, your lubricant storage should be a top concern for your facility's lubrication program. e way a facility stores and prepares their lubricants for service says a lot about the facility's lubrication program. On the Ascend™ Chart, the Lubricant Storage and Lube Room (R2P) Factor is included on the Platform Level of the "Lubricant Reception and Storage" Lifecycle Stage. is identifies R2P as a foundational factor to lubrication excellence. e first thing a technician should think about when receiving new lubricants is, "What are the quality control processes for reception?" But for the purposes of this article, we will assume perfect quality control processes are in place so we can focus on the lube room and storage aspect of lubricant reception. So, now that the technician has properly received the new lubricants, it's time to think about storing them properly. But where? Maybe that back corner of the lot, or out by the old maintenance shop? Either way, they can just be propped up out in the open and exposed to the elements, right? Wrong. Believe it or not, such circumstances are quite common at the average facility, but they are far from world-class storage practices. Having a dedicated space to properly store and handle lubricants is critical to keeping the lubricant ready for service because doing so prevents lubricant contamina- tion and degradation. is allows the lubricant to not only to perform better for longer, but it also allows the overall machine to perform better, leading to less repair work, less downtime and smoother operation. Put plainly, every plant needs a lube room. Building A Lube Room Building a great lube room is essential to a great lubri- cation program. ink of the lube room as your facility's War Room. is is where the planning and strategizing happens. is is where the battle for best lubrication practices is won! e lube room is also good for other lubrication-related tasks like inspecting oil filters or topping up, storing and cleaning sealable and refillable containers. It all starts with the lube room or lubricant storage space; the size of the room depends primarily on the size of the plant and the number of lubricated assets, but there are some basic requirements for a proper lube room: • Solid walls and a roof • Well-ventilated space