Suggested PPM Intervals
In short
Suggested PPM intervals is a CAFMTEK AI capability that compares each asset's planned preventive maintenance (PPM) schedule with its fault history. When an asset has few or no failures over a long period, CAFMTEK recommends a longer maintenance interval. When failures increase, it recommends a shorter one. Suggested PPM intervals are built into CAFMTEK as standard, not sold as a paid add-on.
Applies to: Assets with PPM schedules and fault history recorded in CAFMTEK
What it does
Fixed PPM schedules often stay the same for years, whatever each asset’s actual condition. CAFMTEK compares the current PPM interval, taken from the asset’s existing schedule, with a suggested interval based on how the asset has actually performed.
A big gap between the two points to one of two things:
- Over-maintenance: the asset is serviced more often than it needs to be.
- Under-maintenance: the asset is failing between services.
How the suggestion is generated
- Read the schedule: CAFMTEK takes the current PPM interval from the asset’s existing schedule.
- Analyse fault history: the AI model looks at the asset’s historical fault data for failure frequency patterns.
- Recommend: CAFMTEK suggests an adjusted interval based on the patterns in the table below.
- Keep reviewing: as new fault data comes in, the suggestion is updated.
What the fault history tells CAFMTEK
| Fault history pattern | Suggestion | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Very few or no failures over a long period | Extend the PPM interval | Maintenance is being done more often than the asset needs |
| Failures increasing | Shorten the PPM interval | The current schedule isn’t keeping the asset reliable |
Benefits
- Time and cost: fewer unnecessary maintenance man-hours.
- Resource planning: technicians spend more time on higher-priority work.
- Condition-based strategy: maintenance planning moves from fixed schedules to decisions based on data.
Before applying a suggested interval
A longer interval isn’t always allowed. Before changing a schedule, check the suggestion against:
- Statutory requirements: maintenance intervals set by regulation, for example for fire and life safety systems or lifts.
- Manufacturer requirements: servicing intervals in the equipment manual.
- Warranty conditions: servicing needed to keep a warranty valid.
- Contract SLAs: maintenance frequencies agreed in the FM contract.
[CONFIRM] Are suggestions applied automatically, or does a manager review and approve them? Does CAFMTEK flag statutory or warranty-bound tasks?
Data requirements
- PPM schedules: the asset needs an active PPM schedule in CAFMTEK.
- Fault history: the asset needs recorded faults over time. A longer, more complete history gives more reliable suggestions.
- [CONFIRM] Minimum history needed before a suggestion appears, and which asset types are covered.
Frequently asked questions
What is over-maintenance?
Maintenance done more often than an asset’s condition needs. It uses technician hours that could go to higher-priority work.
Will a longer interval make equipment less reliable?
The aim is to remove unnecessary maintenance while keeping equipment healthy. If failures start to increase after an interval is extended, CAFMTEK recommends shortening it again.
How is this different from predictive maintenance?
Predictive maintenance estimates when a specific asset is likely to fail, using live data. Suggested PPM intervals adjusts the routine maintenance schedule using the asset’s fault history.