What is condition-based maintenance in real estate?

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) in real estate is a maintenance approach where servicing or repairs are carried out only when specific indicators — such as sensor readings, performance metrics, or visual inspection — show that equipment or a building system is deteriorating or approaching failure. It is a data-informed strategy that sits between reactive and predictive maintenance.

Condition-Based vs Other Maintenance Types

• Reactive maintenance: Fix it after it breaks high cost, high disruption.
• Scheduled maintenance: Service at fixed intervals wasteful if the asset is fine.
• Condition-based maintenance: Service when the data says it's needed efficient and targeted.
• Predictive maintenance: Uses AI to forecast future failures more advanced than CBM.

How CBM is Implemented in Buildings

• Sensors monitor equipment parameters (vibration, temperature, oil quality, power consumption).
• Thresholds are set for each parameter (e.g., alert if motor vibration exceeds X Hz).
• When a threshold is breached, a maintenance task is triggered.
• Facility managers review the alert and dispatch technicians.
• Action is taken before full failure occurs.

Condition-based maintenance offers a practical, cost-effective middle ground in building management. By acting on real data rather than guesses or fixed schedules, property managers can significantly improve asset reliability and reduce operational costs.