The inspection route is the path that an inspector must travel to collect data or information on the condition of a group of assets.
There is no general blueprint for designing inspection routes since the correct selection of a route involves many non-standard aspects that vary from company to company. Points to consider when designing visual inspection routes for predictive maintenance are addressed in this chapter.
Considerations for designing visual inspections:
- Visual inspection execution time for each asset.
- Transfer time from one asset to another.
- Hours or forecast of operation of the assets.
- In case you have different modes of operation, establish a standard to be inspected, and plan the route accordingly.
- Processing of access permits or work permits.
- Occupational hazards on journeys outside the inspection area.
- Designated time for the inspectors to make the routes.
- Other inspection routes in the predictive maintenance plan.
- When an asset cannot be inspected, it must be reported.