Melbourne University Maintenance

A predictive maintenance model is aiming to help drive transformative change at the University of Melbourne.

There is a long-shared history between A.G. Coombs and the University of Melbourne.

From design and installation of building services systems in both new and refurbished buildings to the important role of independent commissioning agent (ICA) on others, the A.G. Coombs Group has had a helping hand in supporting the University’s facilities and status as a world-leader in tertiary and higher education.

Successfully tendering for the mechanical services maintenance contract in 2018, A.G. Coombs Service is working closely with the University of Melbourne to drive transformative change across its campuses as a predictive maintenance model is introduced.

Whilst recognised as one of Australia’s “sandstone universities”, the University of Melbourne’s buildings and facilities are ever-evolving, resulting in a dynamic mix of both historic and new state-of-the-art buildings featuring a wide variety of mechanical services assets of differing age, application and complexity.

Capturing the detail of these assets has been critical to the A.G. Coombs approach, with the first year on-site being one of discovery as asset information, condition, duty and association expenditure was captured. Equally important has been the management of the University’s existing fault-logging procedures and determining the best methods of triage and prioritisation of the number of calls that come from the very large staff and student population.

To this end, a site-specific dashboard system has been implemented to geomap fault calls and the status of service technicians to enhance the management and response to jobs. This has also provided both the University and A.G. Coombs greater visibility of works in progress.

About to enter the second year of the contract, A.G. Coombs is planning to implement with the University a strategic maintenance approach based on the data gathered and learnings to date that is expected to further improve system performance, reduce the number of plant and equipment failures and the resultant reactive works, and improve equipment lifecycles and cost.

To deliver the maintenance model to date A.G. Coombs has formed a dedicated team of over 20 experienced technicians, management and support personnel to service the University’s campuses. This team works very closely with University management on-site, with productive day-to-day dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders the foundation of success.

To assist in reducing energy consumption across a number of University buildings A.G. Coombs has commenced a process that will identify, scope and deliver in conjunction with the University works that will produce lasting savings and other benefits.

The servicing and operation of our buildings and facilities is critical in maintaining the University of Melbourne’s position as a world-leading university.

Colin Reiter, Director Campus Services at the University of Melbourne

Contract Overview

Contract Name: Melbourne University Maintenance

Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Client: University of Melbourne - School of Design

Contract Type

Service & Maintenance - Mechanical Services

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