Knowing when to repair, replace, or discard an asset is one of the critical tasks in asset management. Performing a level of repair analysis (LORA) ensures that the decision to repair or discard an asset is based on accurate data on costs and operational requirements. With proper LORA, facilities can perform the right amount of maintenance, resulting in the longest possible asset life and the lowest maintenance cost.
What is Level of Repair Analysis?
Level of Repair Analysis is a systematic process that analyzes assets and determines their optimum maintenance requirements, allowing facilities to reduce the time and money spent on maintenance. Information gathered through LORA is critical for the success of any repair-or-replace decisions. This information also helps facilities get the most out of their asset investments and maintenance expenses.
LORA Considerations
The LORA process considers the following factors:
- Repair costs – These include all the different types of repairs and the associated costs, such as diagnostics, spare parts, tools, and labor.
- Operations costs – These are the costs resulting from the impact of repair on operations, such as loss of productivity, costs due to delay in deliverables, and customer loss.
- Resources – These include the specific skills, equipment, and other requirements needed to execute the repairs.
LORA also considers the repair criticality or how necessary these repairs are to the life cycle of the asset. From these, LORA determines the type of work that you should complete and who should do it.
LORA Repair Levels
The LORA process also involves identifying the repair levels for assets of which there are three general types to choose from:
Operational Level (O-level)
In O-level maintenance, you perform asset repairs on-site, even during operations, hence the name operational-level repair. Here, technicians perform repair-in-place work which is often simple and can be done as quickly as possible for faster resumption of operations. Examples of O-level repairs include busted light replacement, fan blade reseating, or screw retightening.
Intermediate Level (I-level)
In I-level maintenance, assets are transferred to maintenance areas or back shops in the facility. I-level repairs involve more complicated repairs and require longer downtime than O-level. In I-level repairs, technicians need more space and additional spare parts, tools, and equipment to work on the asset. Assets that are often repaired at the I-level include fans, pumps, motors, engines, batteries, etc. These assets or asset parts often have replacement units that are used in their place while they are under repair.
Depot Level (D-level)
In D-level maintenance, assets are sent to off-site repair shops or original manufacturers for specialized work. The maintenance work involved in D-level repairs often involves extensive repair or a total overhaul. Generally, D-level repairs require a higher level of technical expertise, longer working hours, specialized diagnostic tools and repair equipment, and expensive costs. An example of a D-level repair is sending a delivery vehicle to be checked by a mechanic at the dealership for annual maintenance and strip-down.
Steps in Conducting LORA
1. Analyze Economic and Non-economic Capabilities
For certain repairs to proceed, your organization must have the ability to shoulder the costs as well as have the employees, facilities, and tools needed.
2. Analyze the Impact on the Organization
Repairs can also have a significant impact on your business’s compliance with safety, regulatory, and social policies.
3. Analyze Options and Make Decisions
Put together the information from the earlier steps and identify the best options for maintenance. You must evaluate the repairs involved and balance the costs, expected results, and impact on the asset life. From here, you can choose the ideal repair and maintenance decision.
CMMS Support for Level of Repair Analysis
Level of repair analysis depends on reliable data that can only come from using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). With CMMS like Redlist, you can gather maintenance information in real-time, organize it digitally, and finally, store it securely for easy access. Every maintenance task performed is recorded in your CMMS, resulting in accessible data on costs, tools, labor, downtime, and other essential maintenance and asset information. LORA is therefore more accurate in identifying the ideal maintenance level for any asset. And an accurate LORA means successful maintenance strategies that optimize asset life and minimize costs. For LORA support and other CMMS benefits, schedule a free demo of Redlist and its features!
