One of the advantages of Custodian CMMS asset-management software is reactive maintenance – also known as breakdown or corrective maintenance. This function is a reactive strategy that initiates repair immediately after equipment fails. Because it can be costly and time-consuming, reactive maintenance is recommended primarily for components that are inexpensive and easy to replace. But when used in tandem with a reliable preventive-maintenance program, reactive maintenance plays a valuable role in a business’ overall maintenance strategy.
No initial cost, less planning
Corrective maintenance offers a number of its own advantages. It requires no initial cost and less planning than preventive maintenance does. The company merely lets the equipment run until it breaks down. In addition, less standby manpower is needed; frequent inspections become unnecessary, so personnel can focus on other tasks, and the skill set of reactive maintenance is not required on the payroll. Third, reactive maintenance can prove to be more cost-efficient for equipment that is not critical to overall service delivery and that affects operations minimally.
Custodian CMMS serves users with both preventive and reactive maintenance. Also referred to as planned or scheduled maintenance, preventive maintenance is a proactive strategy that schedules asset maintenance and inspection at regular intervals, ensuring that equipment operates smoothly while minimizing downtime.
Relying too heavily on corrective maintenance can result in poor planning, low asset insight, and overall inefficiency. So it is up to the user to strike a perfect balance between reactive and preventive maintenance, to maximize reliability and performance while minimizing cost of ownership. An optimal mix is typically three-quarters preventive maintenance and one-quarter reactive maintenance, although this can vary with the industry and business model.
While predictive maintenance is extremely beneficial, certain situations demand reactive maintenance. Equipment can break down unexpectedly regardless of planning – sometimes even immediately after a routine inspection. External forces beyond anyone’s control, like extreme weather, can damage assets suddenly, so fast recovery in an emergency is vital. Reactive maintenance is also advantageous when an older piece of equipment will likely be replaced soon.