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What Is Preventive Maintenance (PM)?
Preventive Maintenance (PM) is a proactive way to keep equipment and facilities in top shape. Instead of waiting for something to break down, PM focuses on regular checkups, servicing, and repairs to catch issues early. This helps prevent unexpected downtime, saves money on costly fixes, and keeps operations running smoothly. It’s all about staying ahead of problems before they start.
What Are the Five Types of Preventive Maintenance?
Preventive maintenance comes in five main types, each designed to keep equipment running smoothly while meeting different operational needs:
- Usage-Based Maintenance (UBM):
This type bases the maintenance schedule on how much an asset is used or its exposure to conditions. For example, a delivery truck might need an oil change every 1,000 miles. - Time-Based Maintenance:
Also called calendar-based maintenance, this is done at regular time intervals—like weekly or monthly—often following manufacturer guidelines. - Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM):
CBM uses sensors and monitoring tools to track real-time equipment data. Maintenance is done only when signs of wear or performance issues are detected. - Predictive Maintenance (PdM):
This strategy uses data analytics, machine learning, and past trends to predict when equipment might fail—so you can fix it before it does. - Prescriptive Maintenance:
The most advanced of the five, prescriptive maintenance not only predicts issues but also recommends the exact steps to prevent them, making it highly proactive.
