Preventive Maintenance: What it is and Types

Preventive maintenance is a strategy used to keep equipment and machinery in good condition and reduce the risk of critical failures and unplanned downtime. Through preventive maintenance, scheduled inspections, adjustments, and repairs are carried out to prevent equipment from failing and keep them in good working order. In this article, we will talk about preventive maintenance, why it is important, and the different types that exist.

What is Preventive Maintenance?

Preventive maintenance is a maintenance strategy that is based on performing scheduled inspections, adjustments, and repairs on equipment and machinery to prevent critical failures and reduce unplanned downtime. Instead of waiting for equipment to fail and then repairing it, preventive maintenance is carried out regularly to detect and correct problems before they become critical failures. In this way, preventive maintenance helps to extend the lifespan of equipment and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Types of Preventive Maintenance

There are several types of preventive maintenance, each with its own characteristics and specific objectives. Below are some of the most common types of preventive maintenance.

#1 Time-Based Maintenance

Time-based maintenance is the most common type of preventive maintenance. In this type of maintenance, scheduled inspections, adjustments, and repairs are performed at regular intervals, based on time, regardless of whether the equipment is in operation or not. Maintenance intervals are established based on the manufacturer’s recommendation, past experience, and the type of equipment or machinery.

Time-based maintenance is suitable for equipment and machinery that is regularly used and not exposed to external factors such as dirt, moisture, or temperature. This type of maintenance is common in office equipment, lighting systems, and HVAC.

#2 Condition-Based Maintenance

Condition-based maintenance is a maintenance strategy that is based on continuous monitoring of equipment condition to detect problems and perform maintenance before critical failures occur. Condition-based maintenance is carried out using advanced monitoring tools such as vibration sensors, oil analysis, thermography, and condition monitoring.

This type of maintenance is suitable for equipment and machinery that operates in adverse environments and is exposed to external factors such as dirt, moisture, or temperature. Condition-based maintenance can help reduce unplanned downtime and extend equipment life.

#3 Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance is a type of condition-based maintenance that uses advanced analysis techniques such as machine learning and statistical analysis to predict when equipment or machinery failure is likely to occur. Predictive maintenance is based on real-time data collection and analysis to detect patterns and trends in equipment behavior.

This type of maintenance is suitable for critical equipment and machinery that has a significant impact on production and business processes. By detecting and correcting problems before they become critical failures, predictive maintenance can significantly reduce unplanned downtime and costs associated with repair and maintenance.

Conclusion

Preventive maintenance is an important strategy for keeping equipment and machinery in good working order and reducing unplanned downtime. The best way to perform this type of maintenance is to automate processes that allow us to have control over our assets.

SOM Operations is the preferred field service software for preventive controls and equipment management for small businesses and self-employed workers. The mobile application allows you to create and consult official documentation, take photos, and sign work reports. If necessary, barcode scanners can be used to track assets and provide logistic control.