Budgets are tighter than ever, and facilities have been “stretching” the frequencies on Preventive Maintenance (PM) in order to cope. Some facilities have stopped most PM and are going back to a break/fix maintenance plan.
When times are tough, is it reasonable to stop Preventive Maintenance until the equipment actually fails? In some cases these measures are required due to cash flow and profitability concerns. However, the past has proven that the facility will have higher maintenance costs due to reduced equipment life and wasted energy. Many estimates have demonstrated about a 30% increase in maintenance costs over just a few years.
If “stretching” is required, a good place to start is with a thorough inventory of the facility, which includes information on the condition of the systems, equipment and components. This provides a starting point for decisions about revised PM frequencies.
This process can be streamlined through a CMMS or Computerized Maintenance Management System. CMMS software is built for organizing PM programs. When doing your planning for PM frequencies, if you are unsure of how often to check a piece of equipment or system, the manufacturer’s manuals and recommendations are always good to use as a reference. The best maintenance programs are customized to fit the specific needs of your building, climatic conditions, and tenants.
Even if Preventive Maintenance frequencies are “stretched”, using a PM program in your facility is still the best way to keep your building and your budget in tip top shape.
