What is meant by "preventive maintenance" in the context of equipment management?

Preventive maintenance refers to the proactive approach of maintaining equipment to prevent unexpected failures. It involves executing scheduled maintenance tasks that are specifically designed to identify and address potential issues before they become serious problems. This type of maintenance can include regular inspections, servicing, adjustments, and replacements of components that are likely to wear out over time.

By focusing on preventive measures, organizations can enhance the reliability and lifespan of their equipment, reduce downtime, and save on repair costs. This approach ultimately leads to more efficient operations as it minimizes the chances of sudden breakdowns that disrupt processes.

In contrast, other choices describe actions that may be part of overall equipment care but do not encompass the full scope of preventive maintenance. For example, routine cleaning cannot prevent machinery from breaking down, immediate repairs respond to failures rather than preventing them, and refueling, while necessary for operations, does not address potential mechanical issues that could arise. Thus, scheduled maintenance aimed specifically at preventing equipment failures is the accurate characterization of preventive maintenance within equipment management.