Which of the following should be used to guide the frequency schedule of preventative maintenance?

The frequency schedule of preventative maintenance should ideally be guided by the amount of continuous usage of equipment. This approach is rooted in the principle that equipment wears out and is likely to require maintenance based on how intensely and often it is used rather than solely relying on static metrics such as age or past maintenance records.

When you base maintenance frequency on usage, you are considering the operational demands placed on the machinery. Equipment that is utilized continuously or under heavy loads may require more frequent maintenance checks and servicing to ensure it continues to operate efficiently and safely. This method can lead to improved reliability and reduced downtime, as it directly correlates maintenance activities with the actual wear and tear that the equipment experiences.

Using the manufacturer's recommendations can be useful; however, those guidelines may not always account for actual usage patterns. Likewise, only considering the last maintenance performed could lead to a false sense of security if subsequent usage is heavy. Similarly, the age of the equipment provides limited context regarding its operational condition, as newer machines could be heavily used while older machines may not see as much operation, indicating a need for a more nuanced approach to maintenance scheduling.