Mechanic reports he realized during his annual review of company policies and procedures; that he had not filled out a required Service Difficulty Report (SDR); when he deferred the A320 slide lights at forward entry door 1-Left; under MEL 33-50-05.

Narrative

During a weekly check; and performing Emergency Light test per job card Emergency Power Supply; found a fault indicating Emergency Power Supply Exterior Load fault. Tried swapping in a new unit; no fix; rebooted the controllers; no fix. Consulted company Fault Isolation Manual. Suggested fault was either decoder/encoder unit or one of the forward escape slides. As we had no slides in stock to slave in to test; nor a decoder/encoder unit; I consulted with my Lead and Maintenance Control. We determined that all other emergency lights were operating normally; and placed the forward slide lights on MEL 33-50-05. The aircraft was released under the MEL provisions for daytime flight only. During my annual review of company policies and procedures the following week; I realized that I did not check the Service Difficulty Report (SDR) block on the logbook; nor did I initiate the SDR that is required any time there is a discovered failure of any emergency equipment; as well as Emergency Evacuation System Discrepancy Report. It was found later that the forward L1 slide was bad (lights inoperative). The item has been rectified; the forward L1 slide was replaced the same day. There have been so many procedure and policy changes. Have a pop-up screen come up on Maintenance Control computer when an item such as this is placed on MEL; as well as mention in MEL procedures that an SDR is required. Supplemental information from ACN 824355: I became aware that I did not select SDR for this MEL. Have more concise understanding of SDR. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: Reporter stated they have more problems with cabin door slides on their A320's than he's ever seen on any of the B737's or B757's he's worked.