Preventive Maintenance (PM)

For reliable service, there are some common PM functions which the operators must perform on a regular basis. The territory covered by some operators includes hundreds of valves. To be successful the operators should break up the territory in smaller segments and provide detailed care to each segment on a periodic basis. Most valves will give reliable service if they are inspected and taken care of on a weekly schedule.

PM Activities

a. Inspect the valves for overall condition. A visual inspection will indicate leaks at the piping connections, bonnet and the packing area. Tighten the nuts gently (a quarter turn at a time) to correct the situation.

b. Listen to the valves. Usually valves create unusual sounds if something is stuck or breaking loose on the inside.

c. Check if the valve stem is sticking (also referred to as "binding") by trying to move it through a few turns. This is also known as “valve exercising.”