To start with, as an abbreviation, PPM stands for planned preventative maintenance. It is a proactive approach to the restaurant equipment and facilities management that includes scheduled servicing and targets repairs before a breakdown occurs.
To go further a PPM as a professional service is a contract between a restaurant and an engineering company that specializes in servicing commercial kitchens.
Now, let’s go deeper into how it works.
How PPM works as a service contract
A contract for the PPM service is signed typically for a year. When you sign a PPM contract, you stipulate all the terms and conditions of the service, including maintenance visit frequency and equipment covered by the contract.
Typically, visits are arranged once or twice a year, with bi-annual visits being a preferred option for many restaurants. The facilities covered by the contract include equipment that is crucial for uninterrupted restaurant operation, such as:
- Cooking and baking equipment
- Refrigeration units
- HVAC facilities
Main activities during the PPM visit
At the PPM visit, an engineer inspects and services the equipment as stipulated in the contract. Common activities include:
- Deep cleaning and lubricating
- Thermostat calibration and tuning
- Mode testing
- Safety control testing
- Gas safety evaluation when applicable
Another important part of the PPM service visit is a thorough assessment, which involves at least three aspects:
- Evaluating unit health and failure risks
- Detecting potential issues
- Preparing a detailed plan of necessary repairs and replacement
Following such a plan is crucial for proactive facility management. In other words, here, you do not wait till a breakage really occurs but repair or replace the component that is at risk in a timely manner.
Instead of conclusion
A professional PPM service helps you prevent emergencies in your restaurant and ensure its facilities run smoothly at peak performance. However, do not neglect DIY maintenance, some daily cleaning and care activities and regular safety checks. These activities are the basis of proper facility management and, thus, should also be a part of your planned preventative maintenance practice.