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The Maintenance Glossary

Glossary of Maintenance Terms

We've compiled useful glossary of terms used in and around the Facilities Management and Maintenance Industry.
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A

Annual Maintenance

Annual maintenance refers to a scheduled and regular set of tasks performed on a property, equipment, or systems on an annual basis.

Asset Barcode

A unique identification code or label affixed to physical assets, such as equipment, machinery, or tools.

Asset Lifecycle

The entire span of time during which an asset is acquired, operated, maintained, and eventually disposed of or decommissioned.

Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM)

The holistic management of an asset from the initial planning and acquisition to disposal, including maintenance throughout its lifespan.

Asset Management

The systematic process of developing, operating, maintaining, and disposing of assets cost-effectively.

Autonomous Maintenance (AM)

Empowering frontline operators to perform routine maintenance tasks to enhance equipment reliability and reduce downtime.

Availability Rate

A metric that measures the percentage of time an asset is available for use without any unplanned downtime.

What is an Asset Register

An Asset Register is a comprehensive and organized record of all the tangible and intangible assets owned by an organization.

B

Bill of Materials (BOM)

A list of all materials, components, and spare parts required for a particular maintenance task.

Breakdown Maintenance

A maintenance strategy where equipment is repaired only after it has failed.

Building Maintenance Software

‍Building maintenance software is designed to streamline and automate various tasks related to the management and maintenance of buildings.

Building Management System (BMS)

A Building Management System, or BMS, is a computerized control system that integrates and manages various building components and systems.

Business Continuity Planning (BCP)

Developing strategies and procedures to ensure maintenance operations can continue in the event of disruptions or disasters.

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CAFM

CAFM stands for Computer Aided Facilities Management software, it helps optimize the management of various aspects of physical facilities

CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)

Software used to manage maintenance operations, including work orders, scheduling, and asset tracking.

Care Facility Maintenance

Care Facility Maintenance involves the systematic management and upkeep of physical structures, equipment, and grounds within healthcare facilities.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care services in England.

Chalking Resistance

Chalking resistance refers to the ability of a coating or paint to resist the formation of a powdery residue on its surface over time.

Condition-based Maintenance (CBM)

Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) is a proactive maintenance strategy that involves monitoring the real-time condition of equipment.

Corrective Maintenance

A maintenance strategy where equipment is repaired or restored to its working condition after a failure or when it is not performing as expected.

Criticality Analysis

Criticality Analysis is a method used in maintenance management to assess and prioritize the importance of various assets or components.

What is CAFM Software

Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software is a digital solution designed to assist facility managers in the maintenance of facilities.

D

Dielectric Testing

Dielectric testing is a method used to assess the insulation integrity of electrical components by subjecting them to high-voltage stress.

Digital Twin

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, system, or process.

Downtime

The period when equipment or machinery is not operational due to maintenance, repairs, or failures.

Dragline Maintenance

Maintenance is crucial for draglines to ensure their reliable operation, prevent unexpected breakdowns, maximize productivity.

Ductwork Inspection

Ductwork inspection is important to ensure the system operates efficiently, maintains indoor air quality, and meets safety standards.

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Educational Facility Maintenance

Educational Facility Maintenance involves the systematic management and upkeep of physical structures, equipment, and grounds within education.

Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication (EHL)

Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication (EHL) is a lubrication regime.

Electrical System Inspection

An electrical system inspection is a thorough examination of a building's electrical infrastructure.

Electrochemical Machining (ECM)

Electrochemical Machining (ECM) is a non-traditional machining process used to shape and drill complex and intricate shapes.

Equipment Life Cycle Cost (LCC)

Equipment Life Cycle Cost refers to the total cost incurred throughout the entire life span of a piece of equipment.

Equipment Reliability

Equipment reliability refers to the ability of a piece of equipment to consistently perform its intended function without failure

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FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis)

FMEA stands for Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. It is a systematic method for evaluating potential failure modes of a system, process, or product.

Facilities Management Software

Facilities Management Software is a comprehensive solution designed to streamline and optimize the management of facilities, buildings, and assets.

Facilities Operations

Facilities Operations refers to the management and maintenance of physical spaces, buildings, and assets within an organization

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a systematic and graphical method used to analyze the potential causes of a system failure.

Ferrography

Ferrography is a diagnostic technique used in maintenance to analyze wear particles in lubricating oil.

Flaw Detection

Flaw detection refers to the process of identifying and assessing structural defects or flaws in materials, components, or systems.

What is a Facility Management Company?

A facility management company is an organization that specializes in managing and maintaining the physical assets and infrastructure of buildings.

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Hard FM

Hard Facility Management (Hard FM) encompasses the physical and structural aspects of facility management.

Hazard Analysis

Hazard Analysis in maintenance is the systematic process of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating potential hazards.

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Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution, characterized by the integration of digital technologies into manufacturing.

Infrared Thermography

Infrared thermography is a technique used to detect and visualize thermal energy (heat) emitted by objects, surfaces, or systems.

IoT Sensors

Internet of Things sensors are devices that collect data from the physical world and transmit it over the internet for monitoring and analysis.

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MaintainX

MaintainX is a maintenance management software solution designed to revolutionize how businesses handle their maintenance operations.

Maintenance Floor Plan

A Maintenance Floor Plan is a visual representation of the layout and organization of maintenance-related spaces within a facility or building

Maintenance Technician

A skilled worker responsible for performing maintenance tasks, repairs, and troubleshooting on equipment and machinery.

Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)

A measure of equipment reliability, calculated as the average time between failures.

What is maintenance software?

Maintenance software is a digital tool designed to streamline and automate various maintenance tasks and processes within an organization.

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Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

A key performance indicator that measures the efficiency and performance of equipment or a production process.

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Predictive Maintenance

Maintenance based on data analysis and equipment condition monitoring to predict when maintenance is needed.

Preventive Maintenance (PM)

Planned maintenance activities performed at regular intervals to prevent equipment breakdowns.

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Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

A method for identifying the underlying causes of problems or failures in maintenance processes.

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Soft FM

Soft Facility Management (Soft FM) focuses on the people and organizational aspects of facility management.

Space Planning

Space planning is the strategic arrangement and optimization of physical space within a facility to enhance functionality.

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Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

A comprehensive approach to maintenance that involves all employees in improving equipment reliability and performance.

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Upkeep

Upkeep refers to the maintenance, care, or preservation of something, typically a physical asset, property, or condition.

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Warranty Maintenance

Warranty Maintenance refers to the set of activities and services performed to uphold the terms and conditions of a warranty.

Waste Heat Recovery (WHR)

Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) is the process of capturing and reusing heat that is generated during industrial processes but would typically be lost.

Work Order

A formal document that specifies details of a maintenance task, including the scope, materials, and labor required.

Workplace Hazard Assessment

A Workplace Hazard Assessment is a systematic process of identifying, evaluating, and controlling potential hazards in a work environment.

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Zero-Based Maintenance

Zero-Based Maintenance (ZBM) is an approach to maintenance management where maintenance tasks and schedules are developed from scratch.

Zone Maintenance

Zone Maintenance is a maintenance strategy that involves dividing a facility into specific areas or zones.

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