PLANNED PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE (PPM) OF BUILDING

It is based on a fixed execution frequency of activities that generates a calendar schedule. A time-based maintenance schedule for an asset, equipment or building fabric is based on a library with maintenance activities and its pre-set frequency of execution for that asset.

These frequencies can be based on warranties, supplier instructions, legislation, or experience. An example of time-based maintenance is the yearly inspection of an air-conditioning unit, its three-yearly filters cleaning, and its six-yearly filter replacement.

Still, time-based maintenance might be too late and cause reactive maintenance as the real condition of the asset is not taken into account. Or even too early or not necessary as it might be that the assets’ condition is better than expected. Planned preventive maintenance (PPM) is a type of preventive or preventative maintenance (PM) that is a systematic approach for maintaining the building operations or extending the building life before any disruption or breakdown.

Preventive maintenance can be either planned or unscheduled. However, when it comes to building maintenance, planned preventive maintenance is the most effective approach for maintaining the performance and integrity of residential and commercial property sectors.

Features of Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM)

• Planned preventive maintenance is a preventative maintenance strategy that specifies the solution for each building maintenance issue. It is a maintenance activity that should be planned, documented, and scheduled. The goal of PPM is to determine “which” task and “how” that task would be completed.
• An effective PPM for residential and commercial properties saves the property from degradation and ensures the asset value. In addition, without an effective PPM, minor issues in the property can turn into costly repairs (structural repairs and maintenance).
• PPM aims to reduce downtime by keeping all the resources like labor and parts ready to resolve the issues before any breakdowns. Furthermore, it follows a proactive approach to maintenance to prevent small problems from becoming large.
• PPM protects the building condition and ensures that the investment does not fall into disrepair, thus benefiting the landlord.
• PPM also helps the tenants by reducing the potential dilapidations at the end of the tenancy.
• PPM schedules and checklists are prepared and put in place based on the property type. A property or a facility manager mainly monitors PPM schedules.

Benefits of Planned Preventive Maintenance 

The main benefit of PPM is that it identifies and addresses the issue before the condition worsens. A well-planned and implemented PPM reduces reactive maintenance costs by 12 to 18%.

Other benefits of PPM are:

1. PPM approach ensures health and safety compliance. For example, regular inspection of a building roof can prevent collapse and additional health and safety risks.
2. Properly performed PPM activities can avoid the need for major unplanned repair works.
3. PPM strategies effectively use the manpower and budget throughout the maintenance year.
4. PPM approach works in compliance with the manufacturer warranty requirements.
5. It increases the value of the property by preserving and enhancing the asset.