Introduction 1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
n the early stages of industrial development, maintenance
practices were simple, primarily of the
housekeeping and breakdown types. However, as
the complexity of facilities, equipment and systems
increased, so did the problems and expenses involved in
maintenance operations. It became increasingly apparent
that improvement of maintenance management practices
and procedures was essential to achieve efficiency and effectiveness
of the maintenance operations.
Just keeping a plant and its equipment sanitary, presentable
and operating properly today is a carefully scheduled
and well-managed operation that is supported by the
finest equipment and products. Millions of dollars are
spent annually in developing and improving maintenance
tools and materials; this, in turn, saves many more millions
of dollars in plant investment.
Breakdown maintenance is the term that most nearly
describes the absence of planned and scheduled inspections
and preventive maintenance. It needs little in the
way of organization, but considerable in the variety of
skills necessary for the repairman. For such work, no special
supervisory planning is needed for repairing inopera-
tive machinery and deteriorated structures. The maintenance
personnel must, however, work hard just coping
with emergencies and breakdowns.
A good maintenance management system does not
have to be complicated. In fact, the best and most successful
system is one that is simple, workable and gives the
desired results. The more complex a maintenance management
system is, the more chance there is that it will fail or
not achieve the desired results and potential cost savings.
The system described in this book is simple but comprehensive
and flexible. It is adaptable to any type of plant
or facility in any location. It is also adaptable to any size
of maintenance department from the smallest to the largest.
This book will show you how to develop, implement
and manage your own controlled maintenance management
system. It will also teach you how to improve your
company's profits. You may ask how maintenance, a service
function supporting production, can improve the
company's profits because the profits come from the sale
