What is Reliability Centered Maintenance?

Does the age of equipment increase the probability of failure?

That was the conventional wisdom until Nowlan & Heap discovered that components have six different types of failure patterns:

• Bathtub – 4%
• Wear Out – 2%
• Fatigue Related – 5%
• Rapid Increase to Random – 7%
• Random Level of Failure – 14%
• Infant mortality – 68%

This means only 11% of failures are age related… 89% are not age related – so why do PM Programs still rely on time-based maintenance (Replacements, Overhauls) they only address 11% of failures.

So how can you determine what maintenance needs to be done to preserve the integrity of the equipment?  You would use Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM).  RCM consists of 7 questions;

1. What are the functions and associated performance standards of the asset in its present operating context?
2. In what ways does it fail to fulfill its functions?
3. What causes each functional failure?
4. What happens when each failure occurs?
5. In what way does each failure matter?
6. What can be done to predict or prevent each failure?
7. What should be done if a suitable proactive task cannot be found?

There are a few variants of RCM which are designed to provide the benefits of RCM, without all of the resources.

RCM is a time-consuming activity, but the benefits to the organization can be substantial and sustainable.

You that you can always find out more on Reliability Centered Maintenance and Fast Track RCM at www.EruditioLLC.com and by following our blog.  The Rooted In Reliability podcast is a proud member of the reliability.FM network.

Let us know what you think of the podcast, your suggestions for topics or to ask any questions about this topic.  Email us at info@eruditio.com.

References:

• Run to Failure is a Viable Option
• Understanding the Different Failure Patterns
• Fast Track RCM
• RCM2 by John Moubrary
• Maintenance & Reliability Best Practices by Ramesh Gulati
• Basics of FMEAs

For a free consultation on how Fast Track RCM can improve your plant performance, contact info@eruditio.com.

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