Which maintenance practice is primarily aimed at preventing equipment failure?

Preventive maintenance is focused specifically on reducing the likelihood of equipment failure by conducting regular inspections, servicing, and repairs before a problem occurs. This approach emphasizes routine checks and tasks that anticipate potential issues, thereby enhancing equipment reliability and longevity. By identifying wear and replacing parts proactively, preventive maintenance helps ensure that systems continue to operate efficiently and minimizes unexpected breakdowns.

Operational maintenance, on the other hand, typically involves the day-to-day tasks required to keep equipment running smoothly but does not specifically target failure prevention. Corrective maintenance is reactive; it occurs after a failure has happened and aims to restore equipment to operational condition. Adaptive maintenance refers to modifications made to equipment in response to new requirements or environmental changes, rather than focusing on preventing failures. In contrast to these approaches, preventive maintenance stands out as the discipline dedicated to avoiding breakdowns before they occur, making it the most effective choice for maintaining operational readiness and reliability.