In-service reliability estimates from maintenance data☆

Abstract One of the major problems in reliability engineering is the accurate feedback of reliability data when equipment has entered service. This paper describes one such case where an equipment user is interested in the reliability of equipment in service but has only limited resources to feedback reliability data. The paper describes the available raw data provided from a reporting system which records maintenance actions on each in-service equipment for work loading and spares planning purposes. The method developed to analyse this data to provide reliability estimates is discussed together with a validation exercise. Wider application of the method is considered feasible where data recording is similar to that considered in this paper.