Maintenance testing

Maintenance testing is a test that is performed to either identify equipment problems, diagnose equipment problems or to confirm that repair measures have been effective. It can be performed at either the system level (e.g., the HVAC system), the equipment level (e.g., the blower in a HVAC line), or the component level (e.g., a control chip in the control box for the blower in the HVAC line).

Technical basis for testing

Maintenance testing uses system performance requirements as the basis for identifying the appropriate components for further inspection or repair.

In-service inspection and testing

One level of maintenance testing is the in-service inspection or inspection, which typically is a test or series of tests performed on a frequency established by the manufacturer based on prior experience with the system/equipment/component or upon engineering analysis of the probable failure rate for the equipment.

Typical examples of inspections and tests include:

Evaluation and trending of test results

A good testing program will maintain a record of test results and maintenance actions taken. These data will be evaluated for trends and serve as the basis for decisions on appropriate testing frequency, need to replace or upgrade equipment and performance improvement opportunities.

Types of maintenance for which testing can be used

Maintenance falls into the following four categories:

See also