Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is defined as “a process used to determine what must be done to ensure that any physical asset continues to do what its users want it to do in its present operating context.” The RCM process is applied to an asset at the request of the owner to determine the appropriate operations and maintenance actions required to maintain the functions of the asset. Nelson Engineering Company applies RCM by following the industry standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) JA1011, “Criteria for Performing a Reliability-centered Maintenance (RCM) Analysis”. Our efforts focus on conducting analyses that answer the seven basic questions of RCM to establish a sound Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Our analysis goals center on determining the best mix of programmed, preventive, reactive, and predictive maintenance that will minimize downtime and maintenance costs and ensure the required availability constraints are met or exceeded.

We base our analysis processes on the requirements of the customer of the asset. Our detailed analyses consist of technical evaluations of an asset’s constituent systems and components that focus on design research, reviews of current maintenance practices, age exploration studies of components, and interviews with operations and maintenance (O&M) personnel. Our high level analyses provide comparable data where incomplete or missing failure history and design documentation exists. Through the development and application of robust RCM principles applicable to both analysis situations, we provide our RCM Analysts with the capability to evaluate the current condition and maintenance histories of an asset’s systems and equipment and translate that knowledge into robust operations and maintenance decisions.

All Nelson Engineering Company RCM analysts have received formal RCM training in classical RCM and RCM II. Classical RCM is a reference to the pioneering process documented by Stanley Nowlan and Howard Heap of United Airlines in 1978 and is the foundation for all SAE JA1011 compliant processes. In the interest of applying RCM most effectively, we incorporate the RCM II methodologies developed by John Moubray. RCM II is an extension of classical RCM with an onus placed on safety and environmental consequences. It is the most widely applied RCM philosophy and provides each RCM analyst with a comprehensive set of tools for conducting analyses.

Nelson Engineering Co. uses a systematic RCM procedure that we developed in-house to direct our engineering analyses and our personnel to ensure consistency of analytical performance. The procedure was developed for use with software packages RCM Strategy Plus™ and FMEA Pro-6™ in accordance with SAE JA1011.

Nelson Engineering Company develops high quality, cost competitive RCM solutions for a variety of facility systems and government assets. We have parlayed our engineering services support at KSC and CCAFS to encompass an array of RCM initiatives.