There are a number of different approaches to maintenance.

1) Breakdown (Reactive) Maintenance

Breakdown maintenance is the traditional and most widely used approach in manufacturing industry.

Disadvantages:

• No warning of failure - possible safety risks.
  
  
• Unscheduled downtime of equipment.
  
  
• Production loss or delay.
  
  
• The need for standby equipment where necessary.
  
  
• The need for maintenance resources to be instantly available.
  
  
• Possibility of secondary damage.
  
  
• Problems in obtaining spare parts at short notice, or having to hold stock.
  
  
• Reduced life of equipment.