Maintenance strategies for a new era in electrical safety

Maintenance management systems are critical to petrochemical plant operations, as well as other businesses in which uptime and reliability are critical enablers of business success. The context and consequences of electrical maintenance has changed, especially in how it relates to changing paradigms on electrical safety. This paper outlines strategies to optimize the integration of an organization's electrical safety program into business management systems for critical equipment maintenance. Three terms are defined to help prioritize allocation of limited resources to maximize benefits in electrical safety and maintenance and reliability. These terms are discussed within the context of NFPA70B, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. A method for assessing electrical systems to identify specific equipment and systems critical to electrical safety is described. The paper further examines the relationship between the electrical safety program and the maintenance and reliability program and suggests ways to enhance the synergy and integration of these two business management systems.