For years together, the construction industry has been surging in terms of generating income and employment opportunities, increasing the overall GDP of a country and upgrading the infrastructure of the country. Maintenance has grown hand in hand so as to ensure that the rise is in no way, cut short or short-lived. The industry has provisions for skilled, semi-skilled and highly educated employees.

The concept of the construction industry is very wide. It does not revolve only around the construction of schools, residential and non-residential quarters, bridges, schools and other infrastructural aspects. It also involves modification and preparation of new sites and projects.

Maintenance is the sector that deals with the activities necessary to make sure the infrastructure is not subjected to wear and tear. It is also responsible for repairing or replacing any part or unit that seems to be functioning at a level below the expected point. While it is considered to be a part of the construction industry itself, with the growth and diversification of the construction sector, the maintenance sector has come to exist as an industry per se.

Sectors of the maintenance department

The maintenance department draws its segregations from the construction department as well. Some of the professions under this sector are as follows:

• Insulation workers
• Cement masons and terrazzo workers
• Roofers
• Electricians
• Iron and steel workers (structural)
• Plumbers, pipefitters, etc.
• Floor finishers and tile installers
• Carpenters
• Brick masons, stone masons, etc.
• Painters
• Glaziers

Maintenance Engineering
Maintenance engineering is the discipline that involves applying engineering knowledge, skills and concepts for maintenance and optimization of machinery and equipment. With the rise in demand for residential and non-residential structures, the demand for machinery and equipment has been on the rise as well. Maintenance engineering is essential for the optimal and efficient functioning of those tools.

Since the Industrial Revolution, the need for maintenance engineers has been on an upsurge. The need for advanced equipment, machinery, devices, and structures has been high for quite some time now. A significant amount of knowledge in statistics, probability, and logistics is required to be a proficient and renowned maintenance engineer. The demand for construction engineers has indirectly increased the demand for maintenance engineers. Efficiency is desired and the durability of equipment is something that cannot be compromised with.

Predictive and unplanned maintenance
Predictive maintenance revolves around the concept that some functional unit will disintegrate, depreciate or malfunction at some point in time. These problems are strategically attended to since their remedies are planned beforehand. Unplanned maintenance, on the other hand, is the type of maintenance that arises suddenly (without prior notice) and needs to be attended urgently.