Key takeaways
- ISO 14224:2016 is a voluntary data standard that makes reliability and maintenance data consistent and comparable across sites.
- CMMS software plays a crucial role in achieving ISO 14224:2016 compliance by providing centralized data management, consistent equipment data identification, and streamlined failure analysis.
- A CMMS applies the standard day to day through a defined asset hierarchy, required failure codes and consistent downtime records.
- Failure codes only pay off when they are used: make them required fields on corrective work orders and review the data.
- Continuous auditing, training, and collaboration are vital for sustaining ISO 14224:2016 compliance and optimizing maintenance practices.

ISO 14224:2016 is the international standard for collecting and exchanging reliability and maintenance data for equipment. It defines an equipment taxonomy, boundaries and standard failure mode, mechanism and cause codes. A CMMS helps a plant apply it by holding one asset hierarchy, requiring failure codes on work orders and reporting failures and downtime in that structure.
What is ISO 14224:2016?
ISO 14224:2016 sets the framework for collecting and exchanging equipment reliability and maintenance data. This international standard provides guidelines for creating a comprehensive equipment maintenance data structure, including failure codes, equipment data identification, and maintenance data exchange formats. By adhering to ISO 14224:2016, organizations can improve their asset management practices, enhance equipment reliability, and optimize maintenance strategies.
Why does ISO 14224 matter in asset management?
Achieving ISO 14224 compliance is crucial for organizations involved in industrial asset management. By following this standard, companies can establish a systematic approach to data collection, analysis, and reporting, leading to better decision-making and improved maintenance practices. ISO 14224 helps organizations optimize maintenance activities, reduce downtime, and enhance equipment reliability, ultimately resulting in increased productivity and cost savings.
What are the benefits of applying ISO 14224?
ISO 14224:2016 compliance offers numerous benefits to organizations, including:
- Improved Data Accuracy: By following standardized data collection procedures, organizations can ensure the accuracy and consistency of maintenance data.
- Enhanced Equipment Reliability: ISO 14224 helps identify failure patterns, enabling organizations to implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for enhanced equipment reliability.
- Optimized Maintenance Practices: With ISO 14224 compliance, organizations can streamline maintenance processes, leading to increased efficiency and reduced downtime.
- Better Decision-Making: Access to reliable and consistent maintenance data empowers organizations to make informed decisions and allocate resources more effectively.
- Shared Language: A standard taxonomy and failure code set lets sites, contractors and equipment manufacturers compare and exchange reliability data on the same terms.
How does a CMMS help with ISO 14224?
Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software plays a significant role in helping organizations achieve ISO 14224 compliance. The CMMS facilitates the collection, organization, and analysis of maintenance data, ensuring that it aligns with the standard’s requirements. Some key ways in which CMMS software supports ISO 14224 compliance include:
- Centralized Data Management and Storage: CMMS software provides a centralized platform to store all maintenance-related data, making it easily accessible and reducing the risk of data loss or inconsistency.
- Consistent Equipment Data Identification: CMMS software applies a fixed classification template to every asset record, saving time and keeping categories consistent.
- Streamlining Failure Codes and Analysis: By using standardized failure codes and conducting root cause analysis, CMMS software facilitates a systematic approach to equipment failure management.
- Generating ISO 14224 Compliant Reports: CMMS software generates maintenance reports that carry the standard's data fields, making it easier to meet internal and contractual reporting requirements.
Where does ISO 14224 data live in a CMMS?
The standard was written for the petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries, and process plants in other sectors use its structure as a template. Each data category maps to records a CMMS already holds.
| ISO 14224 data | What it records | CMMS record |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment data | Identification, taxonomy level, equipment class, boundary and operating data | Asset register and hierarchy |
| Failure data | Failure mode, mechanism, cause and how it was detected | Failure code fields on corrective work orders |
| Maintenance data | Activity, start and finish, downtime and labor hours | Work order type, dates and labor |
What are the key elements of ISO 14224:2016?
ISO 14224:2016 organizes data in three parts, equipment data, failure data and maintenance data, and sets data quality requirements. In a CMMS those parts translate into four working areas:
- Equipment Data Identification and Classification: This element involves identifying equipment data, classifying it by equipment class within the standard's taxonomy hierarchy, and creating a consistent equipment coding system.
- Failure Codes and Root Cause Analysis: The standard defines failure modes, failure mechanisms and failure causes. Organizations adopt them as a standard code list and record the cause of each failure.
- Maintenance Data Exchange and Reporting: This element focuses on the exchange of maintenance data between different systems and stakeholders using a uniform data exchange format.
- Data Quality and Integrity Requirements : Ensuring the quality and integrity of maintenance data is essential for effective decision-making and analysis.
How does a CMMS apply ISO 14224 in practice?
A CMMS applies ISO 14224 to daily work through five settings:
- Asset hierarchy: build the plant, unit, system, equipment, subunit and maintainable item levels in the asset register so every record sits at a defined level.
- Equipment boundaries: define the scope of each equipment class so everyone records data against the same boundary.
- Failure codes: make failure mode, mechanism and cause required fields when a corrective work order is closed.
- Downtime and repair time: capture start, finish and active repair time on every corrective job.
- Review: report by equipment class and check completeness before analysis.
How do you select a CMMS for ISO 14224 data?
When choosing a CMMS software to achieve ISO 14224:2016 compliance, consider the following factors:
- Essential Features for ISO 14224 Support: Ensure that the CMMS software supports ISO 14224 requirements and offers the necessary features for data identification, classification, and reporting.
- User-Friendly Interface and Navigation: The CMMS should have an intuitive interface that simplifies data entry and retrieval for maintenance teams.
- Data Security and Access Control: Protecting maintenance data is crucial, so the CMMS should have robust security measures and access controls.
- Customization Options and Flexibility: Choose a CMMS software that can be customized to meet the unique needs of your organization.
How do you implement a CMMS for ISO 14224?
Successful implementation of CMMS software for ISO 14224 compliance involves the following steps:
- Creating a Comprehensive Implementation Plan: Define clear objectives, assign responsibilities, and establish timelines for the implementation process.
- Data Migration and Integration with Existing Systems: Ensure a smooth transition by migrating existing maintenance data into the CMMS and integrating the software with other relevant systems.
- Training and Onboarding for Maintenance Teams: Provide comprehensive training to maintenance teams to familiarize them with the CMMS software and its usage.
- Ensuring Regulatory Compliance and Data Accuracy: Regularly audit and validate data to ensure compliance with ISO 14224 standards and maintain data accuracy.
What challenges come with ISO 14224 data?
While implementing CMMS software for ISO 14224 compliance offers significant benefits, organizations may encounter challenges such as:
- Addressing Data Inconsistencies and Duplication: Organizations must deal with data inconsistencies and duplication to ensure accurate reporting.
- Managing Large Volumes of Equipment Data: CMMS software must handle large datasets efficiently to provide real-time insights.
- Ensuring User Adoption and System Utilization: User buy-in and training are essential to ensure widespread adoption of the CMMS software.
- Sustaining ISO 14224 Compliance in the Long Term: Continuous efforts are required to maintain ISO 14224 compliance as organizational needs evolve.
What is next for ISO 14224 data and CMMS?
Three developments are making ISO 14224 data more useful:
- Advancements in CMMS Technology: CMMS software will continue to evolve, offering enhanced features for data analysis, reporting, and integration with other systems.
- Integration with Predictive Maintenance Solutions: CMMS software will integrate with predictive maintenance tools to further improve equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
- Leveraging Data Analytics for Proactive Maintenance: Data analytics will play a critical role in identifying trends and patterns for proactive maintenance planning.
How do you sustain ISO 14224 compliance?
To sustain ISO 14224:2016 compliance, organizations should follow these best practices:
- Regular Auditing and Data Validation: Periodically audit maintenance data and validate its accuracy to ensure compliance with ISO 14224 standards.
- Continuous Training and Skill Development: Provide ongoing training to maintenance teams to enhance their proficiency in using the CMMS software.
- Collaboration between Maintenance and IT Teams: Foster collaboration between maintenance and IT teams to address any technical issues related to the CMMS software.
- Benchmarking and Continuous Improvement: Continuously assess maintenance performance and identify areas for improvement to optimize maintenance practices.
Conclusion
Applying ISO 14224:2016 in a CMMS gives organizations consistent reliability data to manage assets. By adhering to this international standard, organizations can improve equipment reliability, optimize maintenance practices, and make informed decisions based on reliable data. CMMS software serves as a vital tool in achieving ISO 14224:2016 compliance by automating data management, streamlining failure analysis, and generating compliant reports. Applying ISO 14224:2016 gives consistent, comparable reliability data and leads to increased productivity, cost savings, and improved overall efficiency.
MaintWiz is an AI-powered CMMS built for TPM. Its asset register, work orders and failure records keep your reliability data in one structure that every team uses.
FAQs
What is ISO 14224?
ISO 14224 is the international standard for collecting and exchanging reliability and maintenance data for equipment. It defines an equipment taxonomy, boundary rules and standard codes for failure mode, mechanism and cause, so data from different sites can be compared.
Is ISO 14224 mandatory or certifiable?
ISO 14224 is a data standard, not a regulation, and it is not a certification scheme. Operators, contracts or company standards may require it. Compliance means applying its taxonomy, codes and data quality rules to your own records.
What is the difference between a failure mode, mechanism and cause?
The failure mode is what you observe, such as leakage or vibration. The mechanism is the physical process behind it, such as wear or corrosion. The cause is the root reason, such as poor lubrication. Recording them separately lets you trend causes across modes.
How does a CMMS support ISO 14224?
A CMMS holds the asset hierarchy, enforces required failure code fields on corrective work orders, and records downtime and repair time. Reports by equipment class then give the equipment, failure and maintenance data the standard describes.
Where should a plant start?
Start with the asset register: set the hierarchy levels and equipment classes, then define the failure code list for your critical equipment classes and make those fields mandatory on corrective work orders before you analyze any data.


