What is maintenance availability, and why is it important?
Maintenance availability is a core concept for the operational efficiency of companies, especially in the industrial sector. Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), such as MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), MTTR (Mean Time To Repair), and availability itself, allows for the analysis and optimization of equipment maintenance operations, thereby directly contributing to the success of the business.
In maintenance management, availability represents the time during which equipment remains operational throughout its lifespan. In other words, it measures the period in which you can expect the equipment to function without interruption. This key indicator, therefore, reflects equipment performance, and high availability is indicative of good maintenance operations management.
Ideally, achieving 100% availability would mean that equipment operates continuously since it’s commissioning without any failures. However, over time, this rate decreases due to component wear and the impact of usage conditions.
Factors influencing availability
The availability of equipment is influenced by several key elements. Among them, the type of operational interruption plays a significant role. It is, therefore, essential to distinguish between two types of downtime:
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Planned stops: These are scheduled interruptions for conducting preventive maintenance operations, which help to anticipate potential failures and limit unforeseen downtimes.
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Unplanned stops: These stops are unexpected and associated with corrective maintenance. They occur in response to a failure and have a direct impact on availability since they are not anticipated in the production schedule.
In addition to the types of downtime, there are other factors that influence the availability of equipment. Working conditions, such as the frequency of use and intensity of operations, as well as environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, dust), affect equipment performance. Adverse working conditions can accelerate component wear and increase the frequency of failures.
Calculating availability
The availability of equipment is measured by the amount of time it is operational compared to the total time it should be. This value is expressed as a percentage and is calculated using the following formula:
Availability (A) = MTTF / (MTTF + MTTR)
- MTTF (Mean Time To Failure): the average time before the first failure, representing the reliability of the equipment.
- MTTR (Mean Time To Repair): the average time required to repair the equipment in the event of a breakdown.
By optimizing these two indicators, companies can improve the availability of their equipment and limit interruptions in the production process.
How to enhance availability?
Optimizing availability relies on a well-thought-out and rigorous planning of maintenance interventions. A suitable preventive maintenance program ensures the proper functioning of equipment, reducing the risk of unforeseen breakdowns and thereby increasing overall availability.
The skill and training of personnel also play a crucial role: qualified technicians, capable of quick and efficient repairs, contribute directly to maintaining a high availability level.
Using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is essential for maximizing availability. With real-time monitoring, accurate analyses, and adapted interventions, CMMS ensures that equipment remains stable and operational continuously. This tool allows centralizing all maintenance actions around a single objective: ensuring that the equipment is always ready for use.
We support you in this optimization process with our CMMS solution, designed to meet the specific needs of each organization and industry sector, to achieve optimal availability of your equipment.
