What is Facility Condition Assessment?
A facility condition assessment (FCA) is a comprehensive evaluation process that examines the current condition of a building’s key components and systems. This systematic, multidisciplinary analysis evaluates a facility in terms of age, design, construction methods, materials, current performance, and predicted maintenance requirements. The assessment provides a documented baseline that facilities teams use to prioritize […]
What is portable condition monitoring?
Portable condition monitoring refers to small data collection systems that can be transported from machine to machine to collect asset health data. These devices serve as mobile diagnostic tools that enable maintenance teams to assess equipment condition through periodic measurements rather than continuous surveillance. The devices typically feature between one and four vibration input channels, […]
What is Predictive Maintenance (PdM)?
Predictive Maintenance (PdM) is a condition-based maintenance strategy that monitors the health of in-service equipment through sensor devices to determine when maintenance should be performed. These sensors supply real-time data that is analyzed to predict equipment failures before they occur, enabling maintenance to be scheduled only when specific conditions indicate the need. Unlike time-based preventive maintenance that follows […]
What is Run-to-Failure Maintenance?
Run-to-failure maintenance, often abbreviated as RTF, is a maintenance strategy where equipment is allowed to operate until it breaks down naturally. Unlike other proactive maintenance strategies, such as preventive or predictive maintenance, RTF does not involve regular inspections or scheduled maintenance activities to prevent failure. The goal is to utilize the full lifespan of equipment […]
What is Time-Based Maintenance (TBM)?
Time based maintenance represents one of the oldest approaches to equipment care. Servicing happens at fixed intervals whatever the equipment’s condition. Fire systems get inspected every six months. Parts get replaced after 1,000 operating hours. This preventive strategy helps reduce unplanned downtime and extend asset lifespan. This piece walks you through what time based maintenance […]
What is Data-Driven Maintenance (DDM)?
Data-Driven Maintenance is changing how organizations manage their assets, and the numbers prove it. A McKinsey study found that data-driven companies are 19 times more profitable than those without data. This approach uses up-to-the-minute data and analytics to make better maintenance decisions rather than relying on fixed schedules or reactive repairs. This piece explores what Data-Driven […]
What is Usage-Based Maintenance (UBM)?
Usage-Based Maintenance (UBM) represents a move from ‘guessing’ to ‘knowing’ when your equipment needs attention. Rather than scheduling maintenance based on calendar intervals, this preventive maintenance strategy uses actual equipment utilization to trigger service activities. The approach relies on quantifiable metrics, such as operating hours, production cycles, or mileage, to determine maintenance timing. This strategy eliminates both […]
Difference between offline and online condition monitoring
Online condition monitoring has transformed asset health tracking since the Internet of Things changed how we approach diagnostics and data collection. Continuous remote monitoring now provides a steady stream of information, replacing the traditional method of checking analog gages and recording measurements manually. The choice between offline and online approaches affects everything from monitoring frequency to […]