7 Inspection Items to Prevent Failures in Solar Power Plant Maintenance

Solar power plants are installations that, once installed, generate electricity over long periods, but they do not always operate stably without any intervention. Because they are installed outdoors, they are exposed to various external factors such as rain, wind, ultraviolet radiation, dust and sand, wildlife, weeds, snowfall, lightning strikes, and salt damage. Also, because power generation equipment is electrical equipment, even if there are no obvious external abnormalities, issues such as poor connections, insulation deterioration, component degradation, overheating, and communication failures may be progressing internally.

In maintaining a solar power plant, it is important not only to respond after a failure occurs but also to detect early signs that could lead to a failure. Reduced power output, dirt on panel surfaces, loose mounting structures, cable damage, and warning indications on power conditioners, if left unaddressed, can lead not only to reductions in the amount of electricity sold to the grid and that used for self-consumption, but also to safety risks.

This article organizes seven inspection items that should be checked to prevent failures in solar power plant maintenance, aimed at operational personnel. To make them useful for on-site rounds, remote monitoring, periodic inspections, and pre-refurbishment surveys, it does not merely list check items but explains why each check is necessary, what kinds of abnormalities are likely to occur, and what perspectives inspectors should adopt during inspections.

Table of Contents

• Solar power plant maintenance is fundamentally about preventing failures

• Inspection item 1: Check for abnormalities in power output and monitoring data

• Inspection item 2: Check solar panels for dirt, damage, and shading

• Inspection item 3: Check the condition of power conditioners and junction boxes

• Inspection item 4: Check cables, connectors, and wiring routes

• Inspection item 5: Check for looseness and corrosion of mounting structures, foundations, and fasteners

• Inspection item 6: Check for weeds, drainage issues, and changes in the surrounding environment

• Inspection item 7: Keep inspection records and survey data to use for comparison next time

• Approaches to making solar power plant maintenance easier to sustain

• Summary: Maintenance that prevents failures starts with visualizing on-site conditions

Failure prevention is fundamental to solar power plant maintenance

When people think of maintenance for a solar power plant, many may picture replacing failed equipment or repairing devices that have shown abnormalities. However, what matters in practice is detecting signs of abnormality before a failure occurs and taking measures before it leads to a shutdown or major repairs. A solar power plant consists of multiple components—solar panels, power conditioners (inverters), junction boxes, combiner boxes, cables, mounting structures, foundations, and monitoring systems—and a problem in even one part can affect power generation and safety.

One thing to pay particular attention to is that abnormalities at a solar power plant are difficult to judge by visual inspection alone. Even if a panel does not appear cracked, there may be damage to the cells inside. Even if a cable sheath looks only slightly damaged, it can lead to insulation failure over the long term. Even a small amount of rust on part of a mounting structure can progress more quickly in locations prone to poor drainage or salt damage. In other words, the abnormalities visible on site do not necessarily correspond to abnormalities developing inside the equipment.

Therefore, in maintenance it is important to combine remote monitoring data, on-site visual inspections, electrical measurements as needed, photographic records, and comparisons with past inspections. When a drop in power generation is detected, you should not immediately assume equipment failure; instead, you need to systematically rule out multiple possibilities in order, such as weather, shading, soiling, weeds, wiring, equipment shutdowns, and monitoring communication faults. Conversely, even if there is no significant drop in power generation, factors that could lead to future failures—such as loosened fastenings or deteriorating drainage—may be progressing.

Maintenance of solar power plants is related not only to protecting power generation but also to safety management, maintaining asset value, handling insurance matters, verifying construction quality, and preventing disputes with neighbors. Especially at large-scale plants, it can take time from discovering an abnormality to identifying its cause. If inspection items are standardized and records are kept routinely, decisions when an abnormality occurs can be made more quickly.

Inspections are not a one-time task. The way shadows fall changes with the seasons, and weed growth varies. After typhoons or heavy rain there may be clogged drainage channels, sediment inflow, scour around mounting racks, and damage to fences. In snowy regions, the effects of snow loads and falling snow on panels and mounting structures must also be considered. Reviewing inspection frequency and priority checkpoints in light of the site conditions of each power plant helps prevent failures.

Inspection Item 1: Check for abnormalities in power generation and monitoring data

In solar power plant maintenance, the first things to check are power output and monitoring data. Because you can track the daily generation status without visiting the site, this helps with early detection of anomalies. When checking power output, it is not enough to simply see whether it is higher or lower than yesterday. You need to compare it with factors such as weather, season, solar irradiance, temperature, system capacity, historical data from the same period, and per-system data within the same plant, and determine whether there is a difference that can be considered abnormal.

For example, if the overall power generation is reduced, possible causes include weather conditions, shutdown of substation/transformer equipment, communication failures of monitoring devices, grid-side constraints, or output curtailment. On the other hand, if only some power conditioners show low generation, the cause may lie with those units or the connected strings, cables, or panel arrays. Furthermore, if generation drops only during specific time periods, suspect shading, temperature rises, protective operations of equipment, or missing communication data.

Points to check on the monitoring screen are the generated energy, instantaneous output, operating status of each power conditioner, alarm history, communication status, and variations in current and voltage for each string. When there are anomalies in the figures, it is important to first determine whether it is data loss or an actual generation fault. In some cases the equipment is generating normally but the communication is simply interrupted, while in other cases, even though the monitoring shows communication, the device itself may be limiting output.

The sooner an abnormality in power generation is detected, the easier it is to limit the losses. Even a fault that can be repaired in a few days will cost generation opportunities if left unnoticed for several weeks. This is especially true at power plants with multiple power conditioners, where a partial shutdown can be hard to notice. Even if total generation shows no major change, a clear drop may be evident when viewed at the equipment level.

In practice, it is easier to manage if checks are divided into daily, weekly, and monthly. On a daily basis, check for major abnormalities such as stoppages or communication outages; on a weekly basis, compare generation trends on days with similar conditions; and on a monthly basis, check differences from the same month last year and from planned values, and look for long-term downward trends or chronic effects. To ensure the same judgments can be made even when inspection personnel change, it is advisable to decide in advance which screens to check, which values to record, and the criteria for judging abnormalities.

Power generation and monitoring data serve as inputs for determining the priority of on-site inspections. Rather than just walking evenly across the entire plant, concentrating on systems that show declines in the data, equipment with frequent alarm histories, and areas that have had past issues lets you make effective use of limited inspection time. In solar power plant maintenance, it is important not to separate data review and on-site inspection, but to make judgments with both complementing each other.

Inspection Item 2: Check solar panels for dirt, damage, and shading

Solar panels are the core equipment of a power plant and are highly susceptible to surface conditions and the surrounding environment. Maintenance involves checking for dirt, damage, discoloration, suspected hot spots, frame deformation, cracks in the glass surface, bird droppings, fallen leaves, dust, pollen, volcanic ash, and residual snow after snowfall. Dirt and shadows not only reduce power generation but, under certain conditions, can cause localized heating and long-term degradation.

The types of dirt that accumulate on panel surfaces vary depending on the location of the power plant. Near farmland or unpaved roads, sand and dust tend to adhere, while near forests or slopes, fallen leaves and tree sap can have an impact. Near the sea, dirt containing salt tends to accumulate, and in areas with many birds, droppings become a problem. Some dirt is washed away naturally by rain, but where panels have a shallow tilt or poor drainage, dirt tends to remain.

When checking for damage, pay attention not only to broken glass but also to hairline cracks, frame distortion, deterioration of the backsheet, edge delamination, and discoloration around connection points. After typhoons or in areas with frequent airborne debris, even scratches that look minor can, over time, lead to rainwater ingress or reduced insulation. Do not overlook anything resting on the panels. Fallen objects, bird nests, branches, or forgotten tools can cause reduced power generation or damage.

Checking for shadows is also important. In solar power plants, surrounding trees, utility poles, fences, buildings, mountain ridgelines, adjacent equipment, weeds, and other objects can cast shadows. Locations that had no issues at installation may see increased shading years later as trees grow. Also, because the sun’s altitude changes with the seasons, shading can have a much larger impact in winter. During inspections, you should not conclude there is no problem simply because no shadows are present at that particular time on that day; you must take seasonal and time-of-day variations into account.

When inspecting panels, how you document photos is also important. Instead of only taking a large close-up of the abnormal area, retain a set consisting of a wide shot that shows which row and position it is in and a close-up that reveals the condition. To later correlate with power generation data, it is useful to record the panel number, racking row, orientation, date and time the photo was taken, and a description of the anomaly. Even with the same type of soiling, countermeasures will differ depending on whether it occurs in the same place every time, disappears after rain, or gradually spreads.

Deciding whether to clean or repair is not as simple as washing immediately just because you find dirt. Cleaning operations themselves require safety management, and using incorrect methods can damage the panels. It is important to make a judgment based on the degree of power generation loss, the extent of soiling, the likelihood of re-deposition, safety during work, and the manufacturer's specified handling procedures. If a hotspot is suspected, do not conclude from visual inspection alone; consider thermographic inspection or other investigations as needed. Inspections of solar panels should be carried out with awareness of both maintaining power output and protecting the equipment.

Inspection Item 3: Check the condition of the power conditioner and junction box

A power conditioner is an important device that converts the direct current power generated by solar panels into alternating current power. Because it is directly involved in the operation of the power plant, abnormalities can lead to shutdowns or reduced output. During maintenance, check the operating status, warning indicators, unusual noises, unusual odors, heat generation, ventilation condition, clogged filters, water around the unit, dirt inside the panel, loose terminals, and deterioration of internal components.

What to watch for with a power conditioner are heat and humidity. Because the interior of the equipment becomes hot during operation, clogged vents or poor surrounding ventilation can cause temperature rises that activate protective functions or accelerate component deterioration. Check that air intake and exhaust are not being obstructed by weeds, fallen leaves, dust, or insects. For outdoor installations, also watch for signs of rainwater ingress, condensation, corrosion, and mud splashing around the panel.

Warning indicators and error history are items that should be checked on-site. Even if the system is currently operating normally, it may have repeatedly shut down or triggered protective actions in the past. Because power generation may not have dropped significantly, these events can be overlooked, but if brief shutdowns occur frequently, the cause may lie inside the equipment or in external conditions. Record alarm histories and verify whether the same issues are recurring or whether they occur at specific times of day or under certain weather conditions.

In junction boxes and combiner boxes, check the terminals, fuses, switches, lightning protection components, indicator lights, moisture and dirt inside the panel, and cable entry points. Loose terminals and poor contacts can cause overheating, so attention is required. If there are scorch marks, discoloration, deformation of resin parts, or a burnt odor, a prompt detailed inspection is necessary. If insects or small animals get into the panel, they can cause short circuits or insulation failures. Deterioration of door gaskets or malfunctioning locks can also pose a long-term risk of water or foreign object ingress.

Safety is the top priority when inspecting power conditioners and junction boxes. In addition to avoiding inadvertent contact with live parts, work must be carried out in accordance with required qualifications, protective equipment, work procedures, and the manufacturer's maintenance instructions. Clearly separating the scope of checks that field personnel perform during site rounds from the scope of open inspections and measurements performed by electrical technicians makes it easier to avoid inspection omissions and hazardous work. If an anomaly is suspected, do not force a judgment on the spot; record photographs, alarm details, the date and time of occurrence, and the affected equipment so that specialists can carry out further verification.

Also check the environment around the equipment. Locations exposed to continuous direct sunlight, locations with poor drainage that form standing water, locations affected by snow accumulation or falling snow, and locations prone to being surrounded by weeds tend to increase the load on the equipment. Failures of the power conditioner have a large impact on the plant’s overall revenue and operation, so it is important to inspect not only whether the equipment is operating but also whether an environment that reduces the likelihood of failures is being maintained.

Inspection Item 4: Check Cables, Connectors, and Wiring Routes

In preventing failures at solar power plants, inspection of cables and connectors is indispensable. Compared to panels and power conditioners, these parts are less conspicuous, but they are important routes for safely transmitting the generated electricity. Check for cable sheath damage, sagging, contact with the ground, detached mounting hardware, loose connectors, water ingress at connection points, conduit damage, and chew marks from animals.

Cable degradation or damage can lead not only to reduced power output but also to safety risks. If the insulation is damaged and the conductor is exposed, it can cause electric shock, short circuits, ground faults, or fires. Particular attention is needed for locations near the ground, places where cables contact the edges of mounting racks, areas that are easily moved by wind, and spots hidden by weeds. Even if cables are properly secured at installation, their condition can change due to wind, vibration, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, or weed-control work.

At the connector areas, check whether they are fully connected, free of cracks or deformation, and not oriented so that water can pool. If a connector is in contact with the ground or located where rainwater can flow into it, it can lead to long-term connection failures or insulation degradation. Likewise, forcibly connecting components with different specifications, insufficient fastening that places tensile loads on the connection, or disorderly slack handling can also result in problems later on.

In inspections of wiring routes, it is important to be able to ascertain where cables run and which equipment they connect to. If the wiring routes are unknown when an abnormality occurs, identifying the source can take time. Verify that on-site wiring matches the drawings, that system names and identification labels are legible, and that repair histories are reflected. If labels have become unreadable due to ultraviolet exposure, or if markings have not been updated after modifications, the reliability of inspection records is also affected.

Care must also be taken with weed-clearing operations. On sites where brushcutters or heavy machinery are used, there is a risk of accidentally damaging cables and piping. In particular, when wiring is obscured by weeds, workers may be unable to determine its location and could damage it. During inspections, check whether wiring is exposed along work routes, whether protective conduits are damaged, and whether any locations require warning signs.

Abnormalities in cables and connectors can become difficult to pinpoint if discovery is delayed. They may appear as a reduction in power generation, or as insulation faults that occur only during rainy conditions. Even if inspections in sunny weather show no problems, faults may appear after rain, so it is important to record the conditions under which they occur. Combining visual inspections with measurement results and monitoring data makes it easier to detect abnormalities in the wiring system at an early stage.

Inspection Item 5: Check for looseness and corrosion of the mounting structure, foundation, and fasteners

In the maintenance of solar power plants, not only electrical equipment but also structural elements such as racking and foundations are important. If the racks supporting the panels are loose or deformed, damage can be exacerbated during strong winds or heavy snowfall. Inspecting for settlement or scour around foundations, loose bolts, corrosion of components, deterioration of plating, tilting, and changes in the soil around support posts is essential for long-term operation.

During inspection of the mounting structure, first check the overall tilt and any unusual waviness. If heights or angles appear to differ greatly from row to row, this may be related to ground settlement, foundation movement, component deformation, or variations during installation. Even a small tilt can, over time, affect how panels are secured, drainage, and resistance to wind pressure. In particular, on slopes, embankments, soft ground, or poorly drained sites, be alert to changes in ground conditions.

At fastening points, check for loose or missing bolts and nuts, rust, deformed washers, and displaced clamps. When strong winds, vibration, or temperature changes continually impose loads on the fastening points, their condition may change gradually. Even if it is difficult to inspect every fastening point in detail each time, prioritize representative locations, places that have shown abnormalities in the past, outer perimeter areas exposed to wind, and locations prone to higher loads such as the upper parts of slopes and valley-facing sides.

Checking for corrosion is also important. Rust is not only an aesthetic issue but affects the durability of members. Pay special attention to cut edges, scratched areas, places where water tends to accumulate, locations where dissimilar metals come into contact, and regions prone to salt damage. If minor rust is repaired or monitored early, major member replacement can sometimes be avoided. Conversely, if advanced corrosion is left unaddressed, problems can surface when large loads are applied, such as during typhoons or heavy snowfall.

Inspect around the foundation for ground settlement, soil runoff, puddles, cracks, scouring or undercutting of the surrounding area, and leaning of support posts. After heavy rain, drainage flows can change and the area around the foundation may be scoured. In mountainous or sloped locations, be alert for sediment inflow from slope faces and small-scale collapses. Foundation anomalies often do not immediately affect power output, so they are easily overlooked during inspections unless specifically checked for.

Abnormalities in mounting racks and foundations should be recorded not only with photographs but also with location information and surveying data, as this makes it easier to compare with the next inspection. If you can determine whether the tilt has increased compared to the previous inspection, whether the area of scour has expanded, or whether corrosion has progressed in the same spot, it becomes easier to prioritize repairs. For preventing failures at solar power plants, it is important to continuously monitor changes in the structural components that support the equipment, not just electrical faults.

Inspection Item 6: Check for Changes in Weeds, Drainage, and the Surrounding Environment

In the maintenance of solar power plants, not only the equipment itself but also changes in the surrounding environment are important inspection targets. Weeds, drainage, sediment, trees, fences, surrounding roads, and changes in adjacent land can greatly affect power generation, safety, and the ease of operation and maintenance. Especially for ground-mounted solar power plants, seasonal environmental changes can cause failures or reduced power generation.

Weeds not only cast shadows but also hinder inspection and weeding work. When tall grass grows in front of panels, it can create partial shading, which may lead to reduced power output and localized heating. If grass covers cables and junction boxes, visual inspections become difficult and damage or abnormalities can be easily overlooked. In addition, areas with abundant weeds tend to attract insects and small animals, which can lead to intrusion into equipment enclosures and damage to cables.

In weed control, it's important not just to cut grass but to understand where and how frequently it grows. If weeds become problematic in the same places at the same time each year, reflect that in inspection and weed-control plans. During mowing operations, be careful of panel damage from flying stones and of cutting cables and piping. Confirming wiring locations and equipment that need protection before work makes it easier to prevent secondary problems caused by maintenance activities.

Checking drainage is also directly linked to preventing failures. If puddles form inside the power plant, the ground around support columns can weaken, and cables and connections can be affected by water. Check for clogged drains, sediment buildup, changes in flow paths, water flowing in from slopes, and areas where rainwater concentrates. After heavy rain, drainage problems that are not visible during routine inspections can surface, so if possible it is useful to record the conditions after rain.

Be aware of the growth of nearby trees. Trees that had little shading effect at the time of installation can grow significantly over a few years and begin to cast shadows in the mornings, evenings, or during winter. Adjacent buildings, material storage areas, temporary structures, utility poles, signs, and so on can also create new shadows. There have been cases in which a drop in power generation was investigated under the assumption of equipment failure, only to find that it was actually caused by shading from changes in the surrounding environment. Regularly checking for changes around the site makes it easier to identify the cause.

Checking fences and entrances is also important. Damage to fences, faulty door locks, signs of animal intrusion, illegal dumping, or signs of unauthorized entry from outside can lead to equipment damage and safety issues. Because power plants are often operated unmanned, abnormalities in the perimeter tend to be discovered late. During inspections, it is important not to stop after looking only at the generation equipment but to check the perimeter, access roads, drainage channels, and boundaries with adjacent land.

Inspection Item 7: Keep inspection records and survey data for comparison next time

To improve the effectiveness of solar power plant maintenance, it is important to record what was inspected and keep it in a form that can be used for comparisons in future inspections. Even if an anomaly is found on site, if only photographs remain and the location or details are unclear, it becomes difficult to assess later. Inspection records are useful not only for responding when anomalies are discovered, but also for understanding long-term degradation trends, planning repairs, explaining to stakeholders, and handing over information.

Items to record include the inspection date, weather, inspector, inspection scope, locations of abnormalities, details of abnormalities, photos, response status, and items to check at the next inspection. If there is a decrease in power generation or equipment alarms, also record the date and time of occurrence, affected equipment, alarm details, and recovery status. For panel soiling or damage, racking tilt, cable damage, weed overgrowth, poor drainage, and similar issues, recording them together with information that can identify their location makes it easier to check the same spot at the next inspection.

In photographic records, it is important to retain not only close-up photos but also overview photos that show location. For example, even if you photograph a crack in a panel, that photo alone may not reveal which row or which panel it is. By combining overview shots, row numbers, surrounding equipment, and enlarged views of the anomaly, you can more easily convey the situation to stakeholders who have not been on site. Keeping the shooting direction and shooting position consistent also makes it easier to compare with previous inspections.

Using survey data and positional information improves maintenance accuracy. By digitizing panel layouts, racking rows, walkways, drainage channels, fences, and equipment locations within a power plant, you can manage anomalies on a map. Regularly recording rack tilt, ground subsidence, slope changes, weed coverage, and areas of sediment inflow also makes it easier to grasp changes. This is especially effective at large-scale plants where sharing locations by verbal explanations or photos alone is difficult, so management linked to survey data is useful.

Inspection records prove valuable when personnel change. If you know which equipment has previously triggered alarms, which areas are prone to weed growth, which drainage channels tend to clog, and which mounting racks are corroding, even a new person in charge can identify the key areas to prioritize. Conversely, if no records are kept, the site must be reviewed from scratch each time, which can lead to missing the same anomalies or delaying responses.

Furthermore, records should not merely be kept; they need to lead to subsequent actions. When an anomaly is detected, classify it into those requiring emergency response, those that can be monitored, those to be rechecked at the next inspection, and those to be scheduled for planned repairs. Treating everything with the same priority will cause important anomalies to be buried. While prioritizing items that directly result in power generation stoppage or safety risks, it is important to create a system that does not overlook long-term deterioration.

Approaches to Making Solar Power Plant Maintenance Easier to Sustain

Maintenance of a solar power plant is not enough to simply know the inspection items. It is important to put in place a system that can actually be sustained. If the inspection scope is too wide, recording methods are too complex, judgment criteria differ among personnel, or on-site information and generation data are not linked, inspections are unlikely to be effective even if continued. To prevent failures, the inspection process needs to be structured so it can be continued without undue burden.

First, adjust the inspection items for each power plant. Rather than checking the same items at the same frequency at all plants, change the focus according to site conditions and past issues. At coastal sites, pay attention to corrosion and the effects of salt; in mountainous areas, watch for fallen leaves and sediment; around farmland, monitor dust and weeds; and in snowy regions, be mindful of snow loads and conditions after snow shedding. At plants that have experienced frequent power conditioner shutdowns, focus on reviewing equipment alarm histories, and at plants that previously had poor drainage, emphasize inspections after rainfall.

Next, separate inspection frequencies and roles. Categorizing what should be checked daily, monthly, every six months or annually, and after typhoons or heavy rain makes operations more practical. Since it is difficult to verify everything on-site every day, a practical workflow is to detect major abnormalities through remote monitoring in day-to-day operations, confirm on-site conditions during regular patrols, and, as needed, follow up with detailed inspections or repairs.

Standardizing inspection records is also important. If the criteria for "abnormal" differ by inspector, comparing records becomes difficult. For example, for weed height, the extent of panel soiling, the degree of rust, the condition of cable damage, and the assessment of drainage problems, preparing photo examples and recording rules makes it easier to align judgments. In inspection reports, rather than simply writing "no problems," it is also important to clearly state the areas that were checked and the areas that could not be checked.

Making it easy to share on-site information is also essential for preventing failures. When multiple stakeholders are involved—power plant managers, inspection companies, chief electrical engineers, contractors, and equipment owners—response can be delayed if information becomes fragmented. Consolidating power generation data, alarm histories, on-site photos, survey data, and maintenance/repair histories so they can be reviewed in one place speeds up decision-making when anomalies occur. In particular, it is important to reduce the amount of information that only the person who visited the site knows.

Maintenance is an investment to ensure the long-term, stable operation of a power plant. If you focus only on repairs after failures, the value of inspections may be difficult to see. However, in terms of preventing power outages before they occur, keeping repairs minor, reducing safety risks, and making it easier to explain matters to stakeholders, regular inspections and record-keeping are highly meaningful. The larger the power plant, the more important early detection of abnormalities and record management tend to become.

Summary: Maintenance to prevent failures begins with visualizing on-site conditions

To prevent failures in solar power plant maintenance, it is important to comprehensively check power output and monitoring data, solar panels, power conditioners, cables, mounting structures, weeds and drainage, and inspection records. Looking at only one of these cannot determine the overall condition of the plant. To distinguish whether a drop in power output is due to equipment failure, shading or soiling, or wiring or monitoring communication issues, you need to review both the data and the on-site conditions.

What's particularly important is to record normal conditions in advance, rather than rushing to check after an anomaly occurs. If you know the typical power output, which areas of the panels get dirty easily, where weeds tend to grow, spots with poor drainage, and locations prone to corrosion, you'll be more likely to notice small changes. Inspection records that allow comparison with previous checks are useful not only for preventing failures but also for prioritizing repairs and explaining the situation to stakeholders.

Solar power plants are facilities operated over the long term. Even if they appear to have no problems in the short term, the effects of the outdoor environment accumulate gradually. Dirt, shading, loose components, corrosion, poor drainage, weeds, cable damage and other issues, if left unaddressed, can lead to reduced power generation and safety risks. That is why it is important to clarify inspection items, understand each plant's weaknesses, and build up records.

When reviewing the maintenance system of a solar power plant, begin by accurately assessing on-site conditions and creating a state in which they can be managed in conjunction with power generation data. If you can visualize where abnormalities are occurring across a large site, what has changed since the last inspection, and which locations should be prioritized for checking, the quality of inspections and the speed of response will improve dramatically. While organizing inspections, surveying, and recordkeeping into formats that are easy to handle on-site, continue to maintain a maintenance system that prevents failures before they occur.