An air carrier mechanic reported non-maintenance personnel performed a 'maintenance only' test on ea...

Narrative:

Person X informed me that he had performed a 'maintenance only' test on each of the lavatory hot water systems and determined that all were malfunctioned. When I inquired further as to how he determined the operational status of the water system he explained to me a mechanic had shown him how to initiate a self test on each lav by opening the panel below the sink and turning some switches; then look for a light [to] illuminate. After conferencing with dispatch and maintenance control we were all in agreement that an illegal and unauthorized tampering of each lav's electrical component had occurred; and each had to be inspected by maintenance to confirm switches and breakers etc were in the correct position. A log book entry was made.person X performed an illegal and unauthorized test of the lavatory hot water system. I attempted to explain to him the breach of safety that had occurred. I do not believe I was able to convey a satisfactory answer to him on why he should discontinue this practice. I do not believe this practice is wide spread. I do believe a conference with his immediate supervisor is appropriate.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An air carrier Mechanic reported non-maintenance personnel performed a 'maintenance only' test on each of the lavatory hot water systems and determined that all were malfunctioned.

Narrative: Person X informed me that he had performed a 'maintenance only' test on each of the lavatory hot water systems and determined that all were malfunctioned. When I inquired further as to how he determined the operational status of the water system he explained to me a mechanic had shown him how to initiate a self test on each lav by opening the panel below the sink and turning some switches; then look for a light [to] illuminate. After conferencing with dispatch and maintenance control we were all in agreement that an illegal and unauthorized tampering of each lav's electrical component had occurred; and each had to be inspected by maintenance to confirm switches and breakers etc were in the correct position. A log book entry was made.Person X performed an illegal and unauthorized test of the lavatory hot water system. I attempted to explain to him the breach of safety that had occurred. I do not believe I was able to convey a satisfactory answer to him on why he should discontinue this practice. I do not believe this practice is wide spread. I do believe a conference with his immediate supervisor is appropriate.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1366198
Time
Date	201606
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A321
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Drinkable/Waste Water Syst
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural FAR

An air carrier mechanic reported non-maintenance personnel performed a 'maintenance only' test on each of the lavatory hot water systems and determined that all were malfunctioned.