ACAcamps.org donate blog contact us site map
Education
Camping Magazine
Current Issue
Digital Magazine
Subscribe
Archived Issues
Advertise
As Seen In . . .
Knowledge Center
CampLine
Conferences
Training / Prof. Development
Research
Start a Camp
 
 

Increasing Your Preventive Maintenance Efforts

by Wynne Whyman, M.A., M.S.S

Manage Time. Have staff do both reactive and preventive maintenance. Do not focus energies only on what's visible, or reactive maintenance.

Train staff in preventive maintenance. Staff need to be trained in planning, setting up the record keeping for preventive maintenance schedules, and implementing.

Have knowledgeable camp administrators. Management needs to understand the value of preventive maintenance to: write requirements into job descriptions, include in tactical plans, budget both reactive and proactive monies, and acknowledge/reward staff for their preventive maintenance work during the performance review process.

Why Preventive Maintenance?

Provides comfort, health, and safety of participants, guests, volunteers, and employees.

Saves money. DuPont states, "Maintenance is the largest single controllable expenditure."

Have knowledgeable camp administrators. Management needs to understand the value of preventive maintenance to: write requirements into job descriptions, include in tactical plans, budget both reactive and proactive monies, and acknowledge/reward staff for their preventive maintenance work during the performance review process.

 

– Saves energy costs. "Cleaning dirty refrigeration coils can save 25% in operating cost and help to prevent early compressor failure." (Pacific Energy Center Factsheet)

 

– Validates warranties. Some warranties state: "Failures due to lack of maintenance may void your warranty."

  – Reduces corrective maintenance calls.
  – Extends life expectancy.
 

– Stops small problems from growing into larger ones. Noticing a drainage problem outside a building is easier to correct than a cracked foundation later.

Prevents failure. Catching mistakes earlier and replacing old components minimizes failure.

Helps you choose your downtime. Who wants to service an air conditioner unit when it's 100 degrees outside?

Improves risk management. Writing a policy, enacting a regular schedule, and documenting the work can help manage your risks.

Originally published in the 2004 May/June issue of Camping Magazine.

Quick Links
Find a Camp Volunteers Media Knowledge Center Membership
Find a Job Message Boards Parents Camping Magazine Public Policy
Donate Conferences Research Education/Training Accreditation
Bookstore Buyers Guide Blog RSS Feed ACA Logos
Contact ACA
National Office
Local Offices
Webmaster
About ACA
© 2009 American Camping Association, Inc.