Maintenance issues

Different components and materials respond to environment and use in different ways. A planned maintenance approach should recognise and respond to anticipated failure patterns and failure modes. Other factors include design, installation, quality of materials and finishes.

Planned maintenance activities are commonly a response to the external environment and use intensity.

The International Standard for service life planning (BS ISO 15685-1) defines 7 factors that influence component durability - one of which is maintenance. Changing the subject of this approach to maintenance provides a useful framework within which to consider factors which influence maintenance frequency and efficiency.

Material and component quality

Material and component quality are key to determining the longevity, durability and maintenance requirements of a component. The greater the intrinsic durability properties of a component are, the less likely it is to require maintenance and the longer its life to replacement.

Design

Design can have a great influence on maintenance:

• Design can create and take advantage of sheltered environments to minimise the need for maintenance.
• Design should allow adequate space to work on components and allow for replacement, particularly for services components.

Site-work and execution

If components have not been installed correctly or have been damaged during storage, maintenance could be required earlier than necessary.

Indoor environment

Generally, internal environments are warm, dry and weatherproof. Under these conditions components tend not to need high maintenance input. However, there may be periods when temperature and relative humidity conditions may affect components detrimentally and maintenance is required more frequently, especially where interiors may be unoccupied, unheated and/or exposed for considerable lengths of time.

Outdoor environment

Typically external components require maintenance such as cleaning, redecorating, repairs or replacement due to the degrading effects of radiation, rain, wind, temperature and humidity changes.

Use intensity

The higher the use intensity the more often or more likely maintenance is required. Where high use intensity is anticipated an appropriate quality component should be installed.