CMMS Maintenance Care Blog

Preventative Maintenance for Critical Equipment

Written by Tracey Male | Fri, Feb 3, 2017 @ 03:00 PM

Some facilities do what is called a "run to failure" on their equipment while others do preventative maintenance. One of these ensures that your equipment is always kept in top working order, while the other just allows you to wing it until the equipment fails. 

This leaves you with unnecessary downtime and scrambling to get another piece of equipment, which can be expensive and a waste of time. When it comes to your critical equipment, you need to have this type of maintenance as a regular task to ensure its health.

 

Preventative vs. Reactive

For instance, when visiting a doctor you have preventative maintenance as well. The doctor typically checks a few things before you even get started such as your blood pressure, weight, heart rate, and more. These are things that give him a head start on what might be going on within your body before you have an issue – the same thing should be done with all of your equipment.

 

What Equipment Is Part Of Your Plan?

Here are some major equipment examples that should always be part of a preventative maintenance plan:

  • HVAC Systems
  • Building Automation Systems
  • Drain Lines and Water Supply
  • Mechanical Ventilation Systems
  • Electrical Systems
  • Security Systems
  • Safety Systems

 

Avoid Downtime

Running things in a "run to failure" mode causes downtime that is not necessary, hardship on those who rely on the equipment such as residents and employees, and it costs more money to buy a brand new piece of equipment rather than maintaining what you already have.

 

Keep Expensive Equipment Running

For example, an HVAC system is typically made to last you a couple of decades with regular maintenance such as making sure the coils are cleaned, making sure the moving parts are lubricated, and changing the filters. However, without preventative maintenance where all of these things are done, you won't get 20 years out of that system and will have to invest in a new one much sooner.

 

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Setting up a such a maintenance schedule is easy with a Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) program from Maintenance Care. Just set it up initially, choose the times and dates you want it done, and sit back and relax. Everything thereafter is sent out automatically so you no longer have to worry that it is done.