This article compares maintenance strategies to look at the difference between preventive and predictive maintenance. When facilities managers set a preventative maintenance strategy in place, there are systematic inspections of each asset. After each review, a further plan is put in place to maintain and prevent unexpected equipment failure.
Preventive maintenance happens before any building structure, equipment, facilities or grounds malfunctions or decays. Unlike corrective reactive maintenance – where servicing occurs after a problem – preventative maintenance takes place before anything goes wrong.
Types of preventive maintenance
There are different types of preventive maintenance. Determining the other triggers sets the agenda for servicing. Here are some examples of preventative maintenance scenarios:
- Time-based maintenance happens at scheduled regular weekly, monthly or annual intervals.
- Condition-based maintenance care is when physical evidence highlights potential asset failure.
- Usage-based maintenance takes place when passing defined usage hours or perhaps the miles are driven.
Mission-critical operations do fail as they age. The extent of preventative maintenance depends on usage and environmental conditions. There are many manufacturer standards and guides available to assist in decision-making. However, preventive maintenance isn’t simply keeping an eye on equipment or rigidly sticking to the manufacturer’s recommended repair schedules.
Implement preventive maintenance to ensure the accuracy of asset profiles. Facilities professionals may use asset management software to hold details and up-to-date asset profiles. Information such as asset age, date of inspection, service record and expected lifespan is usual. Sometimes there are sets of data rules that apply between assets and equipment.
Asset management software provides on-demand access for facilities managers. When all the essential data, notes and details are in one place, the information is easy to use. At a glance, facility maintenance software manages service requests, and sets up workflows, sometimes automatically based on rules at certain thresholds.
Facilities managers can track maintenance tasks’ status throughout the job lifecycle by assigning technicians to maintenance tickets. All relevant information, such as maintenance manuals and previous history notes, is available to technicians to know what to do.
While preventive maintenance relies on data rules based on industry averages and best practice guides, predictive maintenance uses utilisation data to decide when to carry out maintenance tasks.
The critical difference between preventive and predictive maintenance is the use of technology. Predictive maintenance strategies rely on facilities team expertise and historical and current performance data. The data records determine when malfunctions are likely. With this more detailed knowledge, advanced maintenance is possible.
Preventing unexpected asset failure is the goal. Predictive maintenance requires equipment sensors and facility maintenance software to track the actual use of assets. Facility managers use the most up-to-date data to inform their maintenance decisions.
Predictive maintenance strategies are more complex than preventive maintenance procedures. The first task is establishing baselines for asset sensors so that performance indicators activate appropriately. The information helps to determine when an asset could fail.
Dashboards and analytic reports in facility maintenance systems indicate the root cause of problems. Perhaps technicians or engineers didn’t install assets correctly. Maybe some components are not well-suited for the location conditions. Save money on repeat repairs that continue to fail. Using software to show trends or potential problems is helpful if one asset consistently malfunctions despite repeated repair.
Looking for ways to improve predictive maintenance strategies is a key to successful facilities management. The cost of technology can be prohibitive in some instances, but as technology continues to improve, there are many new opportunities to optimise asset maintenance.
The organisation’s size, property portfolio and available resources determine whether to choose preventive or predictive maintenance implementation—no matter which strategy, facility maintenance software can be integral to streamlining operations and cost reduction.
If you want to know more about routine maintenance, preventative maintenance and predictive maintenance facilities management processes and how they apply to your organisation to help save costs, please get in touch.
