RSL basics

A Reliability Strategy Library (RSL) is the building block for implementing care strategies in a generalized approach.
RSL's aim to balance Generic versus Specific:

• When is Generic good enough? Can we copy the approach for efficiency?
  • Use the RSL
• When is Specific needed? Should we assess the Equipment accurately - one-by-one?
  • Conduct an RCM Analysis

RSL's are an efficient basis for further review using the classic RCM methodology for safety and production critical equipment.

Generalization of RCM analyses can be appreciated from various points of view:

• There might be limited maintenance history available in terms of:
  • 'As found' and 'As left' detailed data,
  • What actual repairs done and spare parts consumed.
  • Degradations found and restored over various equipment types/ models,
  • Overview over degradations over time - how many years of (good) history is available?
• Even with proper historic data of maintenance available, there might be no interest to define particular tasks with more variance, for example to do 'Oil change' on various equipment every 5 month, 6 month and 7 month.
  The maintenance execution team can plea for harmonization here - for efficiency.
• Even with enough data available and reasonable task variance, in a RCM study the multidiciplinary team might choose to copy RCM analyses from one Equipment to another Equipment - basicaly 'templating' the analyses.

Localization

Ensure that there is a team in place to implement the RSL's.
Localize RSL’s on the effectiveness of the current equipment care plans, else: use vendor information around failure modes, frequencies and proposed maintenance activities.
Do basic checks to verify if a RSL is applicable. RSL adjustment might be needed and is called Localization:

• Does the RSL match the actual - local equipment configuration?
  • Check pictures and drawings
• Are the Lay-out and Buildup appropriate to use the RSL?
  • Which Makes, Types a Models are involved?
• How is the equipment used?
  • Check on the P&ID's / PEFS's. Can downtime occur?
• For how may equipment is the RSL to be applied?
  • Look at commonalities/ differences in equipment configuration
• Document the localization
  • Create documentation of applicable Equipment - per RSL
    • For now and for future RSL revisions

What can be the effect of Localization

• One might realize that instead of one RSL, you need 4 RSL’s:
  • For the various types/ build up’s you need different maintenance strategies
• Some aspects to specifically adjust for:
  • Criticalities and Risk Reduction
  • High temperature service? Severe Service? Emission issues? Hazardous fluids?
  • Cost and timing
  • Work centers, work instructions, tools, materials and spare parts

Do's and Don'ts with RSL's

• Create RSL's for single Location types and single Equipment groups.
  • Do not create RSL's for multiple Location types or Equipment groups.
    Note that 90+ % of an asset heirarchy has a 1:1 relationsship of location type and equipment group.
    These can be called 'Straight Hierarchies', shown in below example with - for contrast - also a 'Skewed Hierarchy' shown:

Note that when in a CMMS multiple Floc levels are being used, there is a higher probability that skewed hierarchies may be created, potentially causing issues with assinging RSLs and Care Strategy RSLs.

Regarding RCM, the most relevant sidestep is found on heat exchangers, where we can have two combinations:
* EXCHANGER-FLOC and BUNDLE
* EXCHANGER-FLOC and EXCHANGER
Other 'multiple combinatons' that are less relevant for RCM are found at: INFRASTRUCTURAL-FLOC (7 comb), PIPELINE SYSTEM-FLOC (2 comb) , PRESSURE RELIEF-FLOC (3 comb) and STRUCTURE-FLOC (5 comb).

In next article a new fature is explanained (February 2024) for both RSLs and Care Strategy RSLs to 'loosen' the logic of Location types + Equipment groups + CMMS types while assigning RSLs.

• Do use the RCM quality aspects when working on RSL's like for instance:
  • Task type combinations align with FM characteristics's
  • Tasks have competitive cost
  • Tasks have content and are effective
  • Task frequencies for on-condition monitoring tasks are in line with ½ P-F interval
  • Task frequencies for scheduled restoration/overhaul, discard task are shorter than the expected safe life
  • On-condition tasks are accompanied by condition based tasks
    • Check the task-types that are applied on the FM's
  • The ratio of on-condition monitoring task versus scheduled restoration/discard tasks is 80/20
  • Tasks that need execution during a turnaround (T/A)
• Do not create RSL's with more FM's than Tasks....
  • Do not use RSL's - that ask for much 'after work'