Unit:5 Maintenances

Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance, also known as preventative maintenance, is a proactive approach to maintaining
physical assets and equipment. It involves regularly and routinely performing maintenance tasks to reduce
the chances of equipment failure and unplanned downtime.

Preventive maintenance (PM), also sometimes called preventative maintenance, is all about taking care of
equipment and assets before they break down. It's a proactive approach to maintenance that involves
regular inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and minor repairs. The goal is to catch potential problems early
on and fix them before they turn into major issues that can cause expensive downtime.

Preventive maintenance is planned and scheduled based on real-time data insights, often using
software like a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).

It is performed while the equipment is still working to prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Preventive maintenance falls between reactive maintenance (run-to-failure) and predictive

maintenance.

The goal of preventive maintenance is to prevent equipment failures, extend asset life, minimize
unplanned downtime, and ensure optimal performance and reliability of machinery.

Benefits of Preventive Maintenance:

- Preventive maintenance helps increase asset lifespans and reduce downtime.

- It maximizes efficiency and upholds consistent operational standards.
- It protects employees and businesses by keeping assets working safely and efficiently.
- It reduces the risk of asset failures and resulting business interruptions.

Types of Preventive Maintenance:

There are different types of preventive maintenance, each organized and scheduled differently to suit
different business operation purposes. Some common types include:

1. Calendar-based maintenance: Maintenance tasks are scheduled based on a calendar or time interval.
This approach is suitable for assets that require maintenance at regular intervals, regardless of usage.

2. Usage-based maintenance: Maintenance tasks are triggered by the actual utilization of an asset. This
type of maintenance takes into account the average daily usage or exposure to environmental conditions.

Preventive maintenance is a strategic approach focused on regular maintenance tasks to prevent

equipment failures and extend asset life. It involves scheduled inspections, adjustments, and repairs to
ensure optimal performance and reliability of machinery. By implementing preventive maintenance
practices, businesses can minimize unplanned downtime, increase efficiency, and protect their assets and
employees.

Preventive maintenance is important for several reasons:

1. Increased Equipment Performance: Regular maintenance ensures that equipment operates at peak
performance, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.

2. Reduced Downtime: By identifying and addressing potential problems before they lead to equipment
failure, preventive maintenance helps minimize unplanned downtime.

3. Extended Equipment Lifespan: Proper maintenance can extend the life of equipment, reducing the
need for premature replacements and saving costs.

4. Cost Savings: Preventive maintenance can help avoid costly repairs and major breakdowns that may
occur with reactive maintenance approaches.

5. Improved Safety: Regular inspections and maintenance tasks help identify and address safety issues,
ensuring that equipment operates safely and protects employees.

6. Optimized Maintenance Schedule: Implementing a preventive maintenance program allows for the
optimization of maintenance schedules, ensuring that tasks are performed at the right time to prevent
failures.

7. Streamlined Inventory Management: Having a good inventory management system with readily
available spare parts and consumables enables quick and efficient maintenance, minimizing downtime.

8. Enhanced Asset Management: Tracking preventive maintenance through a computerized

maintenance management system (CMMS) allows for better oversight of equipment, maintenance history,
and safety protocols.

In summary, preventive maintenance is important because it helps ensure equipment operates at peak
performance, reduces downtime, extends equipment lifespan, saves costs, improves safety, optimizes
maintenance schedules, streamlines inventory management, and enhances asset management.