EQUIPMENT RELIABILITY METRIC

3.5.5 MEAN TIME TO FAILURES (MTTF)

Published on April 16, 2009

DEFINITION
This metric is the average length of operating time to failure of a non-repairable asset or
component (e.g., light bulbs, rocket engines). Another term, mean time between failures
(MTBF), is primarily used for repairable assets and components of similar type. Both terms are a
measure of asset reliability and are also known as mean life.

OBJECTIVES
This metric is used to assess the reliability of a non-repairable asset or component. Reliability is
usually expressed as the probability that an asset or component will perform its intended
function without failure for a specified time period under specified conditions. A higher MTTF
indicates higher asset/component reliability.

FORMULA
MTTF = Operating Time to Failure (hours) / Number of Assets and/or Components Run to
Failure

COMPONENT DEFINITIONS
Failure
When an asset is unable to perform its required function.

Operating Time
An interval of time during which the asset or component is performing its required function.

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QUALIFICATIONS
1. Time Basis: Equipment dependent. Time measure above (hours) could also be
substituted with other life measures (e.g., volume, number of batches, distance).
2. This metric is used by maintenance personnel and reliability engineers.
3. It is best when used at asset or component level.
4. MTTF can be used to compare reliability of similar asset/component types.
5. For low MTTF numbers, analysis should be performed, for example root cause failure
analysis (RCFA) or failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) to determine how reliability
can be improved.

SAMPLE CALCULATION
If 10 non-repairable components had the following operating times to failure: 100, 152, 192,
297, 433, 485, 689, 757, 823, and 951, then MTTF would be calculated as shown below.

MTTF = Operating Time to Failure (hours) / Number of Components Run to Failure

MTTF = (100+152+192+297+433+485+689+757+823+951) / 10 = 4879/10 = 487.9 hours

BEST-IN-CLASS TARGET VALUE

SMRP’s Best Practices Committee research indicates that best-in-class values for this metric are
variable depending on asset class and application. SMRP recommends that organizations use
the MTTF metric as a means to monitor the impact of reliability improvement efforts on
extending the time between failures for non-repairable assets. Combined with information from
other metrics and by tracking and trending this metric, plants will gain good information to help
make improvements to plant maintenance and reliability programs.

CAUTIONS
There are no cautions identified at this time.

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HARMONIZATION
This metric has not been harmonized with European standard EN 15341: Maintenance
Indicators.

REFERENCES
Gulati, R. (2009). Maintenance and reliability best practices. South Norwalk, CT: Industrial
Press, Inc.

Mil-Std-721C. (1995). Washington, DC: United States Air Force.

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