{"id":14370,"date":"2021-01-31T23:21:12","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T04:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.m2sys.com\/blog\/?p=14370"},"modified":"2022-06-21T23:38:18","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T03:38:18","slug":"preventative-maintenance-checklist-simple-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.m2sys.com\/blog\/biometric-resources\/preventative-maintenance-checklist-simple-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventative Maintenance Checklist – A Simple Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many modern processes today can be simplified with a good checklist. For example, baking a cake? Sure. Packing for a vacation? Yes, even that. <\/span>If these relatively simple things can benefit from a checklist, so can much more complex procedures, such as preventative maintenance (PM) program<\/a>. You are probably already familiar with preventative maintenance, the most efficient way to keep your assets up and running. One of the best practices in preventative maintenance includes following a checklist to ensure that all the employees focus on the same details.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When maintenance technicians need to work on your equipment, a preventative maintenance checklist provides standardized information for all the assets in your facility. It also provides a database of information for employees, management, and third-party contractors.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a preventative maintenance checklist?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A preventative maintenance checklist is a standard list of actions to complete and tasks to do before closing out a maintenance work request.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people have the habit of keeping checklists in their heads and then scanning through them to make sure they haven\u2019t overlooked anything. Think about when you are leaving your office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oftentimes, I stand by the door and think to myself, \u201cHave I got my car keys, phone, and wallet? Alright, everything is in order.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the lists can get longer when you go to a grocery store. And, when it involves more complex operations that includes many steps and sophisticated equipment, it is best to have a detailed checklist in hand to ensure we\u2019re doing everything right.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is a checklist important?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The gains are associated with speed and standardization. Even without specialized training, a preventative maintenance checklist ensures that the work is getting done the same way, no matter who is doing the work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of everyone trying to improvise in their own way, there is an established standard action that everyone follows. It makes the process much faster and easier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do this before developing a preventative maintenance checklist<\/span><\/h2>\n

Without putting in time and effort, you can\u2019t generate a proper checklist. Additionally, you will need to do research and make detailed observations in the process of its creation. But first, you must lay the groundwork for universal documents, which should be comprehensive, clear, and correct.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rushing through this part of the process will ruin your preventative maintenance checklist before it\u2019s even developed. A lack of understanding of the equipment and how it operates isn\u2019t the best way to ensure others will see to its care.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first step should be to determine which of your assets needs preventative maintenance. Spending the time and energy to develop a detailed maintenance checklist for every mechanical object you see is not very efficient.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, a paperclip in an employee\u2019s desk doesn\u2019t need one; the HVAC system probably does.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After determining which of your assets require maintenance, inspect their condition. Develop a thorough report of the state of these assets and where they are in their life cycle. If the historical records look doubtful, include notes with that information as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note:<\/b> Facility management software<\/a> or a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)<\/a> are the best tools to log historical records of equipment as well as current information.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Set standards for preventative maintenance and speak with operators to know how and when the assets perform at their peak. It will help you compile an inclusive and well-organized list.<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of this process, obtain the original equipment manufacturer manuals (OEM). The majority of these can be found on the manufacturer\u2019s website.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the OEM recommendations have proven to be effective in preserving assets at their peak working conditions and keeping your organization from annulling warranties.<\/span><\/p>\n

You should be able to get a wealth of information from the manufacturer regarding preventative maintenance, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n