To minimize downtime when a pump requires frequent maintenance, which action is most appropriate?

• A. Take the pump out of service
• B. Prioritize service on that pump and check it weekly
• C. Purchase a spare pump
• D. Delay maintenance until it fails

Answer: (B)

Prioritizing preventive maintenance on the pump and checking it weekly keeps the equipment reliable while it’s in operation. Regular checks allow you to spot early signs of wear or deterioration—like unusual vibration, overheating, leaks, or noise—and address small issues before they become big, costly failures. By staying ahead with maintenance, you can schedule service during normal operation and respond quickly, minimizing the time the system is down. Waiting until a failure occurs leads to longer, unpredictable outages, and simply purchasing a spare pump doesn’t prevent the underlying wear from causing downtime. Regular, proactive upkeep reduces both the frequency and duration of outages.