ABSTRACT

A competent person familiar with the installation and the connected equipment, and their usage, is best placed to devise the planned maintenance system. For larger establishments with a maintenance department, the senior electrical person should do it. For smaller premises with no in-house maintenance staff or person with the appropriate competencies, a consultant or similar entity should be sought. Maintenance work–both planned preventive maintenance and corrective or repair maintenance–should be covered by risk assessments. The inspection dates should be entered in a diary or call-forward system or planned preventive maintenance software package which is consulted by the supervisor when planning the work schedule. The manufacturers' recommendations on maintenance intervals are likely to be conservative. Electrical equipment specified for use in potentially explosive atmospheres merits special consideration, particularly with regard to ensuring its continuing explosion protection properties and not creating an explosion risk during the maintenance work.