The purpose of an effective preventative maintenance

The purpose of an effective preventative maintenance plan is to achieve the following
five key goals:

• Preserve taxpayers’ investments in public buildings. Preventive maintenance
can extend the life of building components, thus sustaining buildings’ value and
the significant tax dollars they represent.

• Help buildings function as they were intended and operate at peak efficiency,
including minimizing energy consumption. Because preventive maintenance
keeps equipment functioning as designed, it reduces inefficiencies in operations
and energy usage.

• Prevent failures of building systems that would interrupt occupants’
activities and the delivery of public services. Buildings that operate trouble-free
allow public employees to do their jobs and serve the public. Because preventive
maintenance includes regular inspections and replacement of equipment crucial to
operating a building, maintenance staff reduce the problems that might otherwise
lead to a breakdown in operations.

• Sustain a safe and healthful environment by keeping buildings and their
components in good repair and structurally sound. Protecting the physical
integrity of building components through preventive maintenance preserves a safe
environment for employees and the public.

• Provide maintenance in ways that are cost-effective. Preventive maintenance
can prevent minor problems from escalating into major system and equipment
failures that result in costly repairs. In avoiding costs of major repairs, preventive
maintenance creates efficiencies. Increasing preventive maintenance can reduce
time spent reacting to crises, which is a more cost-effective way to operate
buildings. Deferring preventive maintenance can generate higher costs over the
long term.