Feasibility of Vibration Analysis as a Preventive Maintenance Tool on Heating,Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Equipment in U.S. Air Force Medical Facilities

摘要

Health care costs have dramatically risen over the last 10 years and there arepersistent requests by administrators and government officials to keep these costs under control. As the overall health care costs have risen, there has been increasing demand to keep facilities costs low. The United States Air Force (USAF) Medical Service is suffering from reductions of funds and maintenance personnel for their facilities. Some military administrators have found it necessary to divert funds from maintenance to support other programs. To ensure the reliability of our mechanical systems for climate control and a quality indoor environment, the USAF medical service must make a paradigm shift in its maintenance strategy. This report addresses the feasibility of using vibration monitoring as a predictive maintenance tool to assess the condition of equipment, develop new preventive maintenance plans and reduce the number of breakdowns that impact operation of facilities.