Service and maintenance are a critical part of any organisation. Like all valued assets, Refuge Chambers require service and care to ensure the life-sustaining equipment is operational.
The cost of servicing assets is a significant portion of a site’s operational budget. However, without regular servicing and maintenance checks, the value of machinery rapidly declines.
Key Takeaways
- Proactively scheduling regular service and maintenance reduces cost.
- A refuge chamber can be service every four months to maintain its operational effectiveness.
- Poorly serviced refuge stations put the lives of others at risk
How Does Refuge Chamber Servicing Add Value?
Efficient servicing and maintenance require organisations to be progressive thinkers and planners; envisioning future requirements, analysing necessary changes, and understanding the process to accomplish each task. This central function demands effective administration, which if properly managed can add competitive advantage. Without appropriate planning and management, organisations can get stuck in a reactive process which can result in significant unexpected costs. (Krellis, 1998).
Regular servicing provides additional value by:
- Reducing reactive maintenance costs, through preventative measures
- Utilising the chamber to optimal capacity and availability
- Lessening the effects of downtime
- Reducing restart costs if a breakdown occurs
- Improving stakeholder perceptions
- Maintaining the quality of componentry
- Lowering environmental impact
- Ensuring the continued safety of the workforce
Preventing Costly Repairs
Preventative service and maintenance costs are more controlled than reactive maintenance. There are initial costs involved in servicing such as labour and replacement parts; however, the long-term benefits of keeping equipment operational far outweigh these. If assets such as refuge chambers fail, it can put people at risk, slow production or ultimately close a site.
One solution is a service agreement; a predetermined service schedule ensures chambers are reviewed regularly and meet required safety standards.
Machinery in the resource and industrial industry are exposed to harsh environmental conditions that affect their components. Frequent performance of servicing and maintenance checks on a refuge chamber will help ensure your equipment is ready in the event of an emergency.
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Why is Refuge Chamber Maintenance Important?
Refuge Chambers are sturdy machines equipped with advanced life-saving technology. However, suppose these systems are left unchecked or poorly serviced; the risk of not operating effectively when hazards occur increases exponentially—placing the lives of those using the chamber in danger.
Routine servicing involves keeping chambers in optimal working conditions and emergency readiness. For example, replacing all door seals during each service; is important to ensure no outside air enters the chamber. In addition, wear and tear occur on the door seal with opening and closing, so regularly replacing this is paramount.
Service and maintenance for refuge chambers are essential, generating value through cost control, asset utilisation and resource allocation. More importantly, servicing ensures refuge chambers are in optimal status to provide life-saving support to all staff in an emergency.