Between A Rock and A Hard Place
How often do we as a contractor hear the comment "we don't need planned
maintenance, we are under warranty". Nothing could be more incorrect.
Warranties, are provided on new equipment by manufacturers to help compensate
for problems caused by manufacturing defects. If a piece of equipment fails
during the warranty period and if the manufacturer accepts that the failure
was not caused by outside influence, by improper use or by lack of routine
maintenance procedures then they will generally provide a replacement part free
of charge.
The cost of labour to change the part is generally not accepted
by the equipment manufacturer and will therefore be a cost to the "installing contractor".
Many manufacturers require a report from a contractor confirming that its
equipment has been regularly inspected and serviced by a qualified
technician/contractor before accepting any warranty claim.
If a manufacturer determines that a lack of routine maintenance has contributed
to the failure of his equipment then his warranty coverage can be revoked
leaving the user to accept the full cost of repair.
Planned Maintenance inspections provide detailed and visual checks of components
and safety controls. Drive belt and pulley alignment is checked and bearing
surfaces are lubricated, air filters which are critical to indoor air quality,
coil cleanliness and operating costs are changed.
To run efficiently and provide the indoor conditions it is designed for,
mechanical equipment requires routine maintenance for the protection of the
user, especially if it is within a manufacturer's warranty period.
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