Which statement best defines preventive maintenance?

Which statement best defines preventive maintenance?

• A. It is performed after a failure to restore function.
• B. It is planned and scheduled to prevent failure.
• C. It is only performed on cosmetic components.
• D. It is optional and untracked.

Answer: (B)

Preventive maintenance is planned and scheduled work designed to prevent equipment failure by addressing wear and degradation before it causes a breakdown. It includes routine inspections, lubrication, adjustments, and part replacements at set intervals, based on manufacturer recommendations, usage, or condition monitoring. The aim is to keep systems reliable, extend component life, and reduce unplanned downtime. This differs from doing maintenance only after a failure (reactive maintenance), and it isn’t limited to cosmetic parts, nor is it optional or untracked; a PM program is documented and scheduled to ensure tasks are performed on time.

Preventive maintenance is planned and scheduled work designed to prevent equipment failure by addressing wear and degradation before it causes a breakdown. It includes routine inspections, lubrication, adjustments, and part replacements at set intervals, based on manufacturer recommendations, usage, or condition monitoring. The aim is to keep systems reliable, extend component life, and reduce unplanned downtime. This differs from doing maintenance only after a failure (reactive maintenance), and it isn’t limited to cosmetic parts, nor is it optional or untracked; a PM program is documented and scheduled to ensure tasks are performed on time.