Which maintenance strategy is preferred according to RCM?

Condition-based monitoring aligns with the principles of Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) as it emphasizes assessing the actual condition of equipment to determine maintenance needs. This strategy involves continuously monitoring the health and performance of assets through various techniques such as vibration analysis, thermography, or fluid analysis.

By focusing on the real-time condition of equipment, condition-based monitoring allows for maintenance decisions based on the actual wear and deterioration levels, helping to avoid unnecessary maintenance activities and minimizing the risk of unexpected failures. This proactive approach ensures that maintenance is only performed when necessary, which can lead to better resource allocation, reduced downtime, and overall improved asset reliability.

In contrast, other strategies like time-based maintenance can lead to premature servicing or overlooked issues, while reactive maintenance waits until equipment fails, potentially increasing operational risks and costs. Predictive maintenance, although beneficial, typically requires advanced analytics, making condition-based monitoring a more accessible and immediately applicable choice within RCM.