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Article
Publication date: 5 September 2016

Olasumbo Ayodeji Makinde, Khumbulani Mpofu and Boitumelo Ramatsetse

Reconfigurable vibrating screen (RVS) is an innovative beneficiation machine designed at Tshwane University of Technology, Republic of South Africa (RSA); with adjustable screen…

Abstract

Purpose

Reconfigurable vibrating screen (RVS) is an innovative beneficiation machine designed at Tshwane University of Technology, Republic of South Africa (RSA); with adjustable screen structure to ensure sorting, sizing and screening of varying mineral particles (sizes and quantities) demanded by the customers in a cost-effective manner through the screen structure geometric transformation. In order to ensure that this machine is optimally maintained and managed when utilized in surface and underground mining industries, there is a need to establish or ascertain the best maintenance practices that would be used in optimally managing the RVS machine using decision making techniques. In view of this, the purpose of this paper is to ascertain the best maintenance practices that would be used to optimally maintain and manage the RVS machine when used in surface and underground mines.

Design/methodology/approach

Decision making techniques such as weighted decision matrix (WDM) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) were used in this research work to establish the best maintenance practice for optimally maintaining and managing the RVS machine using relevant literature survey on maintenance management systems as well as the different maintenance criteria decision indices obtained from different conventional vibrating screen machine manufacturers and maintenance experts.

Findings

Based on the results obtained from the WDM analysis, it was anticipated that e-maintenance (e-M) system embedded with diagnosing and prognosing algorithms; with a cumulative weight score of 2.37 is the best maintenance practice for managing the RVS machine when used in surface mines, while AHP with deeper decision making analysis anticipated that the robotic-driven maintenance (RM) system with an important decision criteria; safety, and a cumulative hierarchy score of 28.6 percent, supported by e-M management system with a cumulative hierarchy score of 17.6 percent are the best maintenance mix that could be used in optimally maintaining and managing the RVS machine, when used in a craggy and hazardous underground mining environment.

Practical implications

To this effect, it could be anticipated that e-M management system (endowed with the ability to detect fault on the machine, diagnose and prognose the different subsystems of the RVS machine and ascertain the reconfiguration time and process of the RVS machine in recovering production loss during the maintenance of the machine as well as meeting customers demand, etc.) is the best maintenance practice for optimally maintaining the RVS machine when utilized in surface mines while both e-M management system and RM management system (endowed with the ability to carry out automated maintenance tasks achievement under little or no maintenance manager intervention) are also anticipated as the best customized maintenance practices mix that could be used in optimally maintaining the RVS machine, when used in dangerous and hazardous underground mining environment.

Originality/value

This maintenance management system evaluation and selection for optimal RVS machine functionality will serve as a useful information to different mining machines (and other related machines) maintenance managers, in selecting the best maintenance management system for ensuring optimal functionality, reliability and maintainability of machines used in their industries.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 33 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 August 2013

Marco Macchi and Luca Fumagalli

The paper proposes a maturity assessment method to measure the state of maintenance practices in a company.

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper proposes a maturity assessment method to measure the state of maintenance practices in a company.

Design/methodology/approach

The method assumes that a maintenance department is evaluated in terms of its managerial, organizational and technological capabilities. By its adoption it is possible to analyse the maturity level reached by a company, in order to classify the criticalities in its maintenance processes; a company can also make a benchmark with the best companies of a reference sample.

Findings

The paper presents the method as a support to identify the levers to improve the maintenance management system. The method is demonstrated on a company whose maturity is assessed before making a benchmark against a sample of other manufacturing companies located in the Northern Italy.

Originality/value

The paper presents a scoring method for maturity assessment and a procedure to use it in order to identify the criticalities in maintenance processes and to subsequently drive the improvement of the maintenance management system. The paper should be useful both to researchers and maintenance professionals interested in using new methods for long‐term planning in maintenance.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2000

C.M. Richard, Peter Tse, Li Ling and Francis Fung

The market‐oriented competitive environment in electric utilities has forced many power plants to become more conscious of the role of maintenance management in enhancing their…

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Abstract

The market‐oriented competitive environment in electric utilities has forced many power plants to become more conscious of the role of maintenance management in enhancing their equipment performances and consequently improving the quality of their services. Good equipment maintenance practices can improve the reliability of the power system; maintenance has become the prominent management issue for electric utilities. In recent years, power plants have started using benchmarking to identify the best practices for enhancing their maintenance works. In this paper, a case on benchmarking for maintenance management in a large‐scale power plant is analyzed. Benchmarking is used to search for optimum methods for maintenance management practices in order to improve the overall effectiveness of the operations and maintenance of the plant. By adopting the best practices appropriately, benchmarking could help plants to become more cost‐effective in maintenance. However, for plants looking for breakthrough improvement in maintenance, on top of benchmarking, other means, i.e. intelligent decision support system (IDSS) for maintenance, are required as well.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2009

Rambabu Kodali, Rajesh Prasad Mishra and G. Anand

In recent times, many organizations implementing total productive maintenance (TPM) have been failing in their attempts. Researchers attribute these failures to the shortcomings…

1990

Abstract

Purpose

In recent times, many organizations implementing total productive maintenance (TPM) have been failing in their attempts. Researchers attribute these failures to the shortcomings of TPM and of the implementing organizations. This paper aims to conduct a detailed study in order to understand these shortcomings and seeks to propose various solutions in the form of “best practices”, which leads to the development of world‐class maintenance systems (WMS). However, development of such alterative maintenance systems raises the following question: if an organization is planning to implement and improve their existing maintenance system then how can the manager make a decision between choosing alternative systems such as traditional maintenance systems, TPM and WMS? In the case of TPM or WMS, top management should be involved from the beginning to implement and follow up, as these decisions are complex and involve huge investment in the long term. Before starting implementation, top management should be convinced of the necessary justification, which requires analysis of various qualitative and quantitative factors apart from analyzing various tangible and intangible benefits. In such a situation, the conventional, financial justification techniques alone cannot be used.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper attempts to demonstrate the use of a multi‐attribute decision‐making (MADM) model, namely, the analytic hierarchy constant sum method (AHCSM) for justification of WMS by analyzing the performance measures of an organization.

Findings

The model showed that WMS is the best among the alternatives considered for the given circumstances. From the extensive analysis of the results from the model, implementing WMS would result in overall improvement in the performance of an organization.

Practical implications

The paper attempts to provide an understanding about the TPM shortcomings, WMS and its characteristics, apart from describing the proposed framework in detail. In addition to this, the AHCSM model has been developed for the justification of WMS and the algorithm for the same has been described in a step‐by‐step manner. It is believed that this MADM model will be useful for managers to supplement their strategic decisions.

Originality/value

According to the authors' knowledge, there has been so far no paper in the literature which has demonstrated the application of AHCSM in the field of maintenance management.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2023

Norsafiah Norazman, Naziah Muhamad Salleh, Siti Nurul Asma' Mohd Nashruddin and Wan Norisma Wan Ismail

Retrofitting and rehabilitation are part of the conservation approach in Heritage Building Conservation Guideline 2016 in Malaysia. Heritage buildings can be retrofitted to…

Abstract

Purpose

Retrofitting and rehabilitation are part of the conservation approach in Heritage Building Conservation Guideline 2016 in Malaysia. Heritage buildings can be retrofitted to preserve their culture and history while being given a new lease. Rehabilitation is a preservation requirement that is more flexible since it assumes that the structure has already deteriorated to the point where repairs are required to prevent further deterioration. Although the strategies of these two approaches are different, their combination resulted in sustainable heritage building maintenance. This long-term maintenance strategy is necessary, especially for Malaysia's numerous heritage schools, which have serious maintenance problems as a result of infrequent maintenance, repairs, and funding shortages.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involved secondary data from an intensive literature review along with a comparative study from articles review and context analysis. A comparative study was conducted to determine the typical issue with heritage school buildings and the best maintenance practice for these structures. Finally, it involved a SWOT analysis study of retrofitting and rehabilitating heritage school buildings will be discussed in this study as well.

Findings

The findings of this study will focus on developing a strategic planning framework and maintenance for heritage school buildings in Malaysia to achieve sustainable maintenance. It will also highlight sustainable maintenance best practices for heritage school buildings in Malaysia. Finally, SWOT analysis will go over the pros and cons of retrofitting and rehabilitation for these buildings.

Originality/value

This paper put forward the requirements of strategic planning in heritage school buildings and outlines the significance of sustainable maintenance for educational buildings. It is an alternative for cost savings that has not been extensively investigated in previous studies.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 August 2005

Ronald E. McGaughey

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Abstract

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2002

Ed Mitchell, Andrew Robson and Vas B. Prabhu

Maintenance and plant engineering are considered to be important parts of the strategy underlying successful manufacturing. The aim of this paper is to investigate the deployment…

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Abstract

Maintenance and plant engineering are considered to be important parts of the strategy underlying successful manufacturing. The aim of this paper is to investigate the deployment level of good practice in these areas compared to other manufacturing processes and what impact they have on an organisation’s performance. It draws empirical results out of the data provided from a large‐scale benchmarking study carried out in a specific region of the UK and tests part of these with case research. The findings are discussed, highlighting any variations between company size, sector and world‐class status and the significance of any correlation found between practice and performance.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 November 2020

Andrew Ebekozien

Health-care building maintenance has been receiving concern because of the recent global pandemic. However, there are inadequate broad studies affecting health-care facilities…

Abstract

Purpose

Health-care building maintenance has been receiving concern because of the recent global pandemic. However, there are inadequate broad studies affecting health-care facilities maintenance and feasible solutions in Nigeria. This study aims to conduct an all-inclusive review of public hospital building maintenance issues and proffer possible solutions to improve maintenance practices in health-care buildings via a framework that will support studies in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of published papers from 2006 to 2020 was conducted. Based on the keywords, 3 pertinent databases were searched and descriptions of the findings from 40 studies were recognised and used in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Findings

Two main themes (issues and feasible solutions to improve practices) emerged from public health-care building maintenance practices. The study developed a framework that describes the relationship between issues and possible solutions with an emphasis on how to improve human development, management efficiency, technical competence and professional skills, cost-minimisation and others.

Practical implications

As part of the paper implications, emerged issues were group into five categories (human development, management, technical, limited financial resources and others). The proposed framework for future studies will attempt to mitigate issues and proffer feasible solutions to improve hospital building maintenance practices in Nigeria and other developing countries that are facing similar challenges.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is possibly the first comprehensive review of public health-care building maintenance practices in Nigeria. Moreover, this review demonstrates how the proposed feasible solutions can mitigate problems.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management , vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 April 2021

Abdul Kareem Abdul Jawwad and Ibrahim AbuNaffa

The purpose of this paper is to help newly established plants with minimal or no historical machine data select best maintenance strategies that suit their specific working setup…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to help newly established plants with minimal or no historical machine data select best maintenance strategies that suit their specific working setup and at the same time satisfy relevant selection criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was applied successfully in this study to select the maintenance strategy at a newly established chemical fertilizers plant. Implementation started by identifying main and sub-criteria pertinent to maintenance practice in this particular industry. Pair-wise comparisons and consistency calculations were carried out on the chosen criteria and then were used to assess candidate maintenance strategies through a special scoring process. The methodology included the use of surveys, brainstorming and expert consultation.

Findings

The results have shown that the most important main criteria are cost, resources, failures, management, operations, quality and safety. The final maintenance strategy selected for the plant under consideration included a mix of condition-based predictive maintenance (PDM), time-based preventive maintenance (PM) and corrective maintenance (CM). The best balance between the three maintenance activities, which satisfies the maintenance criteria with technical applicability, was found to be 50, 23 and 19% for PDM, PM and CM, respectively.

Originality/value

The present paper is a novel application of AHP coupled with deterministic application-specific ranking for devising a procedure for selecting viable and applicable comprehensive maintenance strategies for newly established chemical fertilizers plants with no historical data on machine failures.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 20 July 2023

Andrew Ebekozien, Clinton Aigbavboa, Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan, Mohd Isa Rohayati and Nor Malina Malek

Inadequate strategic planning and maintenance budget may undermine the maintenance of the Higher Education Institution Building (HEIB). Studies have shown that a customised…

Abstract

Purpose

Inadequate strategic planning and maintenance budget may undermine the maintenance of the Higher Education Institution Building (HEIB). Studies have shown that a customised maintenance concept such as Soft System Methodology (SSM) can improve public building maintenance operations. There is a paucity of studies regarding public HEIB maintenance in Nigeria via an SSM approach. Therefore, the research investigated the state of public HEIB and developed a framework to improve public HEIB maintenance practices in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted SSM to understand Nigeria’s public HEIB maintenance practices. The SSM permitted a substitute approach to improve public HEIB maintenance practices via a developed framework. Data were collated via virtual interviews with experts, and findings were presented in line with the SSM seven steps.

Findings

Findings show that besides the shoddy state of public HEIB maintenance, there is no public digitalised HEIB framework to improve maintenance practices across Nigeria’s higher education institutions. The study developed a digitalised framework with the support of Computerised Maintenance Management System from the findings. It would reposition the public HEIB and stir up various agencies/departments/units managing maintenance for better service delivery via integrated delivery, practical, methodological and managerial aspects.

Originality/value

The research investigated Nigeria’s public HEIB maintenance practices via SSM to identify the required document and propose a feasible framework to improve Nigeria’s HEIB maintenance practices. Besides the developed conceptual framework, Nigeria’s HEIB maintenance practitioners and higher institution chief executives can use the recommended framework as guidelines to improve HEIB maintenance practices.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 41 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

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