What is facility maintenance?

Facility maintenance keeps facilities (and all of their assets) in good working order. The goal is to reduce the amount of unscheduled downtime for facility assets. It encompasses preventive and corrective actions to keep facilities functioning optimally. Preventive maintenance helps ensure that problems, such as equipment failure, don't occur in the first place. Corrective or reactive maintenance involves fixing those problems after they have occurred.

What is building maintenance?

Building maintenance is a subset of facility maintenance. Building maintenance involves keeping a building in good working order and ensuring it stays in good condition. It involves cleaning, repairing, and maintaining buildings and grounds. Building maintenance workers are also responsible for following all safety codes.

Where is facility maintenance used?

Facility maintenance is used to maintain the facilities of a company. It's also used to maintain the equipment and machinery of a company. While there are many types of facilities, most have at least some systems that require maintenance or repair work regularly. These systems include:

  • Electrical systems (electrical panels, circuit breakers, and fuses)
  • Plumbing systems (water pipes, turbines, and drains)
  • HVAC systems (ductwork, fans, and heaters)

Examples of buildings that use facility maintenance

Facility maintenance is used in many different types of buildings. It can be a hotel, a museum, or even an office building. The following are some examples:

  • Office buildings
  • Schools and universities
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Museums and galleries
  • Hotels
  • Churches and other religious buildings

Types of facility maintenance workers

Within facility maintenance, there are two primary types of workers: facility managers and maintenance technicians.

Facility managers are responsible for overseeing a building or facility's overall maintenance and operations. They create and enforce cleaning schedules for janitors, ensure fire safety systems are in good working condition, and create maintenance schedules for capital assets. Facility managers delegate work requests to technicians and other staff members and use facility management software such as a CMMS to keep track of maintenance activities and records. Examples of tasks that a facility manager might perform include overseeing replacing outdated equipment, managing energy usage and costs, and ensuring that the facility complies with safety regulations and codes.

On the other hand, maintenance technicians perform routine maintenance and repairs on building systems and equipment. They might conduct regular walkthroughs to identify issues, perform preventive maintenance on capital assets and HVAC units, and repair malfunctioning equipment or systems. Maintenance technicians often have specialized training or certifications, such as an HVAC certification. Examples of tasks that a maintenance technician might perform include replacing air filters, fixing plumbing issues, and repairing electrical systems.

Other facility maintenance workers may include janitors or custodians, groundskeepers or landscapers, and security personnel. Janitors are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the interior of a building, while groundskeepers and landscapers maintain outdoor spaces such as lawns and gardens. Security personnel ensure that the facility is safe and secure and may monitor security cameras or patrol the premises.

What is facility maintenance software?

Facility maintenance software is a program that automates the process of facility maintenance. It helps the facility manager schedule preventive maintenance through a work order and notify the maintenance team of upcoming or ongoing work. It also tracks the condition of your equipment, the status of repairs, and keeps an inventory of your assets and parts.

What is facility management software?

Facility management software is a program that automates the various day-to-day attributes of facilities management. It focuses on more than just asset maintenance and encompasses asset management, data collection, inspections, support services, communicating emergency information, customer service, building maintenance, and property maintenance.

Why is facility maintenance necessary?

Facility maintenance is vital because it allows businesses to continue their daily operations without interruptions. With facility maintenance implemented, companies can improve their productivity and the life expectancy of their facilities and assets. They also reduce the risk of accidents or injuries from poorly maintained assets.

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What are the benefits of facility maintenance?

  • Reduces maintenance costs: Repairing and maintaining your assets before they break down is less costly than repairing an unexpected breakdown.
  • Improves production efficiency: Maintenance reduces equipment downtime and keeps your production running more efficiently, producing more products, and making more money.
  • Improves equipment life expectancy: Maintenance increases the lifespan of your equipment by preventing wear and tear. In the long run, you'll save money on replacement parts and new machines.
  • Reduces unscheduled outages: Preventative maintenance allows your team to avoid costly downtime by planning regular servicing or repairs. This also means increased employee morale. Employees don't have as many problems with interruptions or malfunctioning equipment by keeping assets in good shape with regular maintenance.

Reduce downtime and ensure your facility and assets are running smoothly

Facility maintenance is about keeping your production facilities running at optimum levels. It can improve a company's productivity and efficiency. By implementing facility maintenance software solutions into your business operations, you'll be able to make sure that your machines are running while reducing costs.

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