Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Company Policy; Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure; MEL
I was told that the 'O' ring was non-deferrable and the purpose was to keep the Fire Handle secured in the stowed position in the event of turbulence.  So I'm filling out a report to find out if that is the case as I question the deferral.  To be corrected in 6;000 Flight Hours (FH) seems excessive if the purpose is to keep the handle stowed.   The engine will shut down if that handle falls.  This is the second aircraft I found with a damaged 'O' ring in the last three weeks.During the flight from ZZZ I scanned the Overhead panel.  I noticed the rubber 'O' ring on the Fire Extinguisher handle was broken- missing a chunk of it. I wrote it up.  Maintenance Control deferred it under an Administrative MEL.  The Corrective Action was that they removed the remaining damaged 'O' ring. That rubber 'O' ring supposedly helps keep the fire extinguisher handle stowed. The engine will shut down if it falls. That 'O' ring should not be deferrable if that's the case.
A Captain questions Maintenance Control's long term MEL administrative deferral of a damaged and removed O-Ring used on EMB-145 aircraft Engine Fire Extinguishing 'T' handles. The O-Rings secure the overhead fire handles in the stowed position during possible turbulence. The pilot notes the engine will shut down if the fire handle falls from the stowed position.