Understanding event data collection: Part 1

These lists include the data and supplemental descriptions that are recommended to be collected on a given event. These data will be used as the basis for compiling a balanced scorecard as well the information required to find the underlying causes.

Event ID — the unique identifier for each failure event

CMMS ID — useful if you are using a CMMS as the base data collection system for failure events

Functional location — typically a "smart" ID that represents what function takes place at a given location (for example, pump 01-G-0001 must move liquid X from point A to point B)

Functional location hierarchy — functional hierarchy to roll up metrics at various levels:

Level 1

Level 2 Level n (System)

Level 3

Equipment ID — usually a randomly generated ID that reflects the asset that is in service at the functional location. The reason for a separate equipment ID and functional Location is because assets can move from place to place and functional locations

Equipment name — name or description of equipment for identification purposes

Equipment category (for example, rotating) — indicates the category of equipment the work was performed on — generally organized by discipline (rotating, fixed, electrical, instrument)

Equipment class (for example, pump) — indicates the class of equipment on which the work was performed. Failure codes can depend on this value

Equipment type (for example, centrifugal) — indicates the type of equipment on which the work was performed. Failure codes can depend on this value also

Functional loss — indicates whether the equipment experienced a functional loss as part of this event. A functional loss can be defined as:

Complete loss of function

Partial loss of function

Potential loss of function

Functional failure (ISO failure mode) — basically the symptoms of a failure if one has occurred. Any physical asset is installed to fulfill a number of functions. The functional failure describes which function the asset no longer is able to fulfill

Effect — the effect of the event on production, safety, environmental, or quality

Maintainable item — the actual component identified as causing the asset to lose its ability to operate (for example, bearing)

Condition — indicates the type of damage found to the maintainable item. In some cases this also tends to indicate a failure mechanism as well

Cause — the general cause of the condition. This is not the root cause; it is recommended to use root cause failure analysis (RCFA) to assess root causes

Maintenance action — corrective action performed to mitigate the damaged item

Narrative — text description of work and suggestions for improvements

Event date — the date that the event was first observed and documented

Mechanically unavailable date/time — the date/time that the equipment is actually taken out of service either due to a failure or for the repair work

Mechanically available date/time — the date/time that the equipment is available for service after the repair work is completed

Mechanical downtime — difference between mechanically unavailable date and mechanically available date expressed in hours

Maintenance start date/time — the date/time that the equipment is actually being worked on by maintenance

Maintenance end date/time — the date/time that the equipment repair is completed

Time to repair — the total maintenance time to repair the equipment

Maintenance cost — the total maintenance expenditure to rectify the failure. This could be company or contractor cost. This cost could be organized into categories, such as material, labor, contractor, etc.

Production cost — the amount of business loss associated with not having the assets in service. This cost includes lost opportunity, such as when an asset fails to perform its intended function and there is no spare asset or capability to make up the loss.