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The Role of Proactive Maintenance in Facility Management
Introduction
In the facilities management sector, there is a perpetual conflict between being proactive and reactive, but we don’t have to tell you that. In the near run, it could appear simpler to adopt a reactive strategy. On the other hand, it frequently results in a plethora of difficulties and disadvantages that may negatively impact the facility’s overall effectiveness and performance. Reactive approaches come with higher costs since they require costly replacements and repairs.
You chose to manage your facility in a proactive manner, and that was undoubtedly the right choice. We discuss common approaches to integrating proactive maintenance into facility management in this post. After putting these tactics into practice, you’ll be in a better position to benefit from lower expenses and improved knowledge.
What Is Proactive Maintenance?
The goal of proactive maintenance is to address the root cause of subpar equipment conditions. Preventive maintenance aims to lower the hazards of running malfunctioning equipment, unscheduled downtime, and equipment failure.A proactive maintenance approach is something that facility managers can
- Boost the availability of assets
- Early detection of possible equipment problems helps to avoid unscheduled downtime.
- Cut down on upkeep expenses
Proactive maintenance workflow
The Types Of Proactive Maintenance
Any type of maintenance that is carried out ahead of any major malfunctions or breakdowns is referred to as proactive maintenance. Various forms of proactive maintenance result from the criteria that would initiate such efforts.
1.Preventive maintenance (PM):
1) calendar-based;
2) usage-based;
3) predictive or based on past data analysis;
4) prescriptive or determined by logical software.
2.Condition Based Maintenance (Cbm):
Other forms of preventive maintenance continuously monitor the performance of assets. Real-time asset tracking is possible in condition-based maintenance (CBM), where sensors closely monitor equipment performance to identify and address possible problems before they arise.
3.Scheduled And Routine Maintenance:
Alternatively, the frequency of monitoring equipment performance can be manually set. The maintenance planner can designate timetables or procedures by which equipment performance should be assessed in scheduled or routine maintenance.
There are various ways to perform proactive maintenance, and most plants use a mix of these methods. The kind of equipment will determine the best kind of maintenance, which should be carefully determined to guarantee the most effective course of action is taken.
The Various Maintenance Strategies For Proactive Facility Management
1. Use Automated Analytics To Forecast Outages
You can find possible maintenance problems with automated analytics and fix them before they become expensive fixes. You can accomplish this by gathering information from embedded sensors placed all over your property and utilizing it to build predictive models. After that, these models can be utilized to spot trends and patterns that might point to the need for upkeep.
For instance, you may monitor the humidity and temperature in your HVAC system with automated analytics. If the data reveals that these values deviate from the expected range, it may be a sign that something is wrong with the system. Being aware of any problems in advance enables you to take corrective action before the issue results in a severe breakdown.
2.Examine And Fix Important Assets First.
Proactive maintenance must be started with your most important assets first. These are the resources that most influence the general effectiveness and production of your establishment. For instance, while people can still use the stairs to get from floor to floor, problems with the plumbing system should take precedence over elevator malfunctions because the lack of water has a substantial impact on day-to-day living.
Prioritizing these assets’ maintenance requirements can help you avoid costly malfunctions and lower the associated repair expenses. It’s important to include stakeholders that have a thorough grasp of the facility and its operations when determining your vital assets. Furthermore, carrying out a critical study can assist in determining the degree of influence of an item in your organisation.
3.Modernize Outdated Machinery And Boost Asset Performance:
An additional tactical method for managing a plant is to concentrate on modernizing outdated machinery. No asset or piece of equipment will break down overnight. You can extend the life and improve the performance of outdated assets if you put in the extra work to give them more attention.
For instance, unless there are leaks, roofing is frequently neglected during maintenance due to its approximate 25-year lifespan. The same holds true for electrical systems. But, if a problem occurs, it is difficult to resolve, thus preventive maintenance of outdated equipment is important.
4.Create A Closing Of The Skill Gap By Using Augmented Reality:
The goal of proactive facility management is to stop equipment malfunctions before they happen. You need skilled professionals if you want to do this correctly. Employees who have inadequate training won’t be able to fix equipment correctly. It’s not enough to just offer training; you also need to ensure that the personnel receiving it will be better equipped to handle any problems that may arise.
5.Use FSM Software To Quicken Work Orders.
One essential tool for managing facility maintenance is the work order. Work orders guarantee the efficient operation of maintenance by assuring that tasks are completed and promoting communication between internal and external teams. Field service management software should be used to optimize such crucial procedures.
With the use of field service management software, you can automate work orders, get real-time visibility into them, increase accuracy, improve communication, and provide comprehensive reports and analytics. Check out the Automation, Digitization, and Customization software offered by Intellisol.
Your Path Ahead
The term “proactive maintenance” describes a range of tactics that can be used to lower unscheduled downtime and equipment malfunctions. Improved plant performance and safety can result in significant cost savings when resources are allocated appropriately.
Maintaining assets in excellent shape and equipment in operation is a major responsibility of facility managers.
The key to accomplishing this is proactive maintenance, which entails taking care of minor issues before they become major ones. The prudent course of action to ensure smooth operation is to use proactive maintenance measures.
You can take advantage of years of trouble-free maintenance by implementing these tactics into your everyday practice.
