Inspection
Work Planning

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Unplanned Maintenance

Maintenance activities performed in response to unexpected equipment failures or unanticipated operating conditions.

Definition

Unplanned Maintenance comprises maintenance activities initiated in response to equipment failures, process upsets or unexpected deterioration that cannot be accommodated within the planned maintenance schedule. Although sometimes unavoidable, Unplanned Maintenance is generally minimized through effective preventive, predictive and reliability-centered maintenance programs.

Why It Matters

Unplanned Maintenance restores equipment following unexpected failures or conditions requiring immediate corrective action.

In Practice

High levels of Unplanned Maintenance are commonly associated with reduced equipment reliability, increased operational risk and higher lifecycle costs, making its reduction a key objective of modern asset management programs.

Common Misuse

Unplanned Maintenance responds to unexpected failures or deteriorating conditions, whereas Preventive Maintenance consists of planned activities intended to reduce the likelihood of those failures occurring.

Term Details
Synonyms:
Unplanned Maintenance; Breakdown Maintenance; Reactive Maintenance; Corrective Maintenance
Classification:
Maintenance & Work Management
Concept
Intermediate
Applications

Maintenance Management; Reliability Engineering; Asset Management.

Where It's Used

Manufacturing.; Oil and gas.; Petrochemical.; Power generation.; Infrastructure.

References

ISO 55000

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