Run-to-failure is it a maintenance strategy?

Absolutely! Also need to note that every equipment, apart from its intended function, has to maintain its integrity to prevent LOC. So one might choose to forgo PM for RTF but must ensure some level of integrity assurance

The size of the plant I believe determines the Idea of using Run-to-failure strategy as a maintenance approach. RTF is recommended for Bigger Plants with more than one process-line or circuit. If it was to be used on smaller scale plants with just one or two circuits operating, failure to run would mean a drastic loss in production or greater downtime. Thus ideas of using catalytic processes to speed up media flow in process-line comes into play..Just a thought ??

It is considered a maintenance strategy and I believed this exercises are always monitored, preplanned and then scheduled for shutdowns as a contingency routine. Reasons for change-outs during shut periods is to step-up production and yes all critical assets and systems need to run in parallel or back-up to compensate whatever losses it might be. Another factor I believed that consider this maintenance approach is the size of the plant and how big/small it is. If we were to run a much bigger plant, then that would mean the process-line will be extensive and complicated which demands the need to have back-ups so when one is out-of service for replacement the other circuit keeps the plant going. Less critical assets can also affect production lines probably in the future or in the long run so reliability, planning/scheduling is very vital so as LOGISTICS. Apart from shutdowns, Remediation or ongoing works on non critical assets otherwise is also part of asset management eg piping remediation of old existing filter water system or GSW will be replaced as construction during non-shut periods for hook-ups or tie-In to a Cyclone pump that fails and will be replaced like-for-like during shutdown by constructn & fixed plant maintenance.

Anyone heard of BCM Strategy?...I would consider this the ultimate framework to guide Asset Management...at the end of the day, a cost effective solution maintaining above target throughputs safely is what business is about..

It is certainly is a maintenance strategy. Most often, this strategy is in play for most industries who lack understanding of benefits of practicing reliability or on most organizations having reliability as function see this as a cost effective way to manage certain systems of the process which are deemed non-critical (failure constitute less or no impact to safety, production, high repair cost). This systems are normally designed to have parallel circuits to maintain operation if equipment in one circuit fails..