An operations and maintenance program (also known as an O&M) is a combination of general maintenance, management, training, budgeting, and business processes that are used collectively for the proper functioning of a facility. It encompasses the maintenance and care of assets that do not require in-depth technical knowledge of how that asset functions.
Work that must be performed by a highly-skilled engineer or technician with specific knowledge of the equipment’s inner workings and design would fall under corrective or reactive maintenance. Operations and maintenance management is more general and is a form of preventive maintenance. Operations and maintenance usually includes tasks to maintain equipment before significant issues arise, such as inspections, cleaning, minor part replacement, lubrication, and fluid monitoring.
Our expertise for the facilities operations and maintenance encompasses a broad spectrum of services, competencies, processes, and tools required to assure the built environment will perform the functions for which a facility was designed and constructed. Operations and maintenance typically includes the day-to-day activities necessary for the building/built structurei, its systems and equipment, and occupants/users to perform their intended function. Operations and maintenance are combined into the common term O&M because a facility cannot operate at peak efficiency without being maintained; therefore the two are discussed as one.
The goals of a comprehensive maintenance program include the following:
- Reduce capital repairs
- Reduce unscheduled shutdowns and repairs
- Extend equipment life, thereby extending facility life.
- Realize life-cycle cost savings, and
- Provide safe, functional systems and facilities that meet the design intent.
Sustainability is an important aspect of the O&M process. A well run O&M program should conserve energy and water and be resource efficient, while meeting the comfort, health, and safety requirements of the building occupants.
At GLE, we believe that, a critical component of an overall facilities O&M program is its proper management. The management function should bind the distinct parts of the program into a cohesive entity. The overall program should contain five distinct functions: Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Training, and Administration. Beyond establishing and facilitating all these functions, O&M managers have the responsibility of interfacing with other department managers and making their case for ever shrinking budgets.
