Condition Assessment for Operators and Maintenance Personnel: Level 1 and 2 Made Easy

Long-term capital planning budgets for utilities are more credible when defensible data are available to support the needs. A well planned and executed condition assessment program is one of the tools to support long-term planning and replacement budgets. Condition assessments do not need to be overly complicated or obtrusive to be an effective planning tool. Following some simple fundamental procedures and documentation of their observations, operations and maintenance staff can start the implementation of an in-house condition assessment program. Gathering of data on all the equipment is the easy first step but it also can initiate and enhance the communication and interaction of the operations, maintenance, engineering, and purchasing staff working toward a common goal.