How to Build a Maintenance Schedule per DIN 31051
A preventive maintenance schedule keeps equipment available and prevents costly breakdowns. This guide shows how to build a plan per DIN 31051 using the four basic measures, set intervals, assign responsibilities and document everything in an auditable way.
See maintenance suppliesWhat does DIN 31051 cover?
DIN 31051 is the base standard for maintenance and defines its four basic measures: servicing, inspection, repair and improvement. A maintenance schedule mainly delivers the first two preventively, before damage occurs.
Servicing covers all actions that slow the depletion of the remaining wear reserve - cleaning, lubricating, adjusting and replacing wear parts. Inspection determines and assesses the actual condition through visual, measurement and functional checks.
- Servicing: clean, lubricate, adjust, replace wear parts.
- Inspection: determine and assess the actual condition.
- Repair: restore the target condition after a fault.
- Improvement: raise reliability without changing the function.
How do I build the schedule step by step?
Start with a complete asset list. Each item gets a unique identifier, then you assign concrete tasks, intervals, responsibilities and acceptance criteria.
Which intervals and responsibilities make sense?
Intervals depend on load, environment and criticality. A staged approach works well: daily visual checks, weekly and monthly servicing, and an annual main inspection.
- Each task has exactly one owner, no shared responsibilities.
- Tie safety-relevant tests (e.g. electrical equipment) to qualified persons.
- Define fixed dates or operating hours as triggers, not 'when convenient'.
How do I document maintenance traceably?
Every completed action is logged with date, the person who performed it, the result and any defects found. This builds a complete history that reveals trends and serves as evidence during audits or after a fault.
- What was done, by whom, when and with what result?
- Track deviations and follow-up actions as open items.
- Record spare and wear parts consumed, with quantity.
- Review the plan at least yearly and adjust intervals.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four basic measures of DIN 31051?
Servicing, inspection, repair and improvement. A preventive maintenance schedule mainly applies servicing and inspection regularly and before damage occurs.
How do I set the maintenance intervals?
Start with the manufacturer data and adapt it to load, environment and criticality. Triggers are fixed dates or operating hours, not convenience.
Why is documentation so important?
It proves the asset was maintained correctly, makes wear trends visible and serves as evidence during audits or after damage. Without a history there is no basis for adjustments.
Who may carry out safety-relevant tests?
Such tests, for example on electrical equipment, must be done by qualified or competent persons. Simple visual checks and cleaning can be handled by the operator.
Start your schedule and stock the materials?
We supply cleaners, lubricants and consumables so your DIN 31051 plan is workable from day one.
Standard-based
Structured around the basic measures of DIN 31051.
Plannable
Clear intervals instead of unplanned downtime.
Clear owners
Each task has exactly one responsible person.
Expert advice
Our technical editors help you build the plan.