What type of maintenance is characterized by a response to equipment failure?

Reactive maintenance is defined as the type of maintenance performed in response to equipment failure. This approach involves addressing issues as they arise, rather than planning or preventing them in advance. When equipment breaks down or malfunctions, maintenance technicians perform repairs or replacements to restore functionality. This can lead to operational downtime and may be more costly in the long run, as it does not account for preventive measures that might avoid the failure in the first place.

In contrast, other forms of maintenance like scheduled, proactive, and predictive aim to anticipate and prevent failures before they occur. Scheduled maintenance is based on a predetermined timeline regardless of the equipment's current condition, proactive maintenance focuses on preventing failures through regular inspections and replacements, and predictive maintenance utilizes data and analytics to forecast when equipment might fail based on its performance and condition. Reactive maintenance, therefore, specifically relates to the urgent need that arises from unexpected breakdowns.