{"id":6910,"date":"2026-01-21T14:11:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:11:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/news-en\/the-limits-of-risk-based-maintenance-in-water-law\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T09:07:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T08:07:22","slug":"the-limits-of-risk-based-maintenance-in-water-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/blog-en\/the-limits-of-risk-based-maintenance-in-water-law\/","title":{"rendered":"The limits of risk-based maintenance in water law"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6910\" class=\"elementor elementor-6910 elementor-6898\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a055b22 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a055b22\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e03935 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9e03935\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The limits of risk-based maintenance in water law<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63dec0f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"63dec0f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-310c526 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"310c526\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3164cc9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3164cc9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In global competition, German companies face increasing cost pressure, making creative cost-saving solutions appear attractive. A corresponding approach in German industry has long been the shift from preventive maintenance (PM) according to DIN EN 13306 to risk-based maintenance (RBI) according to DIN EN 16991. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcdfb8b elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"fcdfb8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;Es wurden keine \\u00dcberschriften auf dieser Seite gefunden.&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;,&quot;h4&quot;,&quot;h5&quot;,&quot;h6&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tContent\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__fcdfb8b\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__fcdfb8b\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__fcdfb8b\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3a1d7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f3a1d7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PM vs. RBM<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4907a91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4907a91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If the maintenance technician relies on fixed time intervals for the preventive variant, the risk-based approach uses the combination of probability of failure and the associated extent of damage as the fixed point for the intensity of the respective maintenance of the system component. The aim is to save costs for less critical areas of the plant. And with the multitude of different plants and hazardous substances, a specific consideration also seems more sensible at first glance than a rigid deadline concept.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7f120d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7f120d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">No risk, no fun?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bbe122 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8bbe122\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Anyone who now imagines themselves in a world of unlimited savings opportunities will be severely restricted by German water law. Starting with the overriding principle of concern according to \u00a7 62 of the Water Resources Act (WHG): This dictates to the plant operator that he must operate (and thus also maintain) his plant for handling water-endangering fluids in such a way that an adverse change in the properties of water bodies is not a concern. The mere concern that water pollution could occur is sufficient to move the operator to take appropriate countermeasures. As a result, the risk assessment should no longer only be based on a possible damage event, but must already be based on a worrying preliminary stage of it. This significantly expands the range of scenarios to be considered. A &#8220;just good enough&#8221; as the basis for the maintenance concept can affect, if not exceed, the principle of concern in some areas.     <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ee5342 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4ee5342\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What the type approval requires<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8ab723 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d8ab723\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The following \u00a7 63 WHG in turn sets narrow limits to the possibilities of the maintenance technician. Paragraph 4 defines the suitability of system components for systems for storing, filling or transferring water-endangering substances. These are suitable, among other things, if a proof of usability has been issued for mass-produced components in accordance with building regulations, which guarantees compliance with water law requirements. Compliance with the test cycles specified by the manufacturer is stipulated in the respective &#8220;general building authority approval&#8221; (abZ) or the &#8220;general building type approval&#8221; (aBG). For the classic safety devices such as overfill protection devices or leak detectors, a test interval of 12 months is the maximum limit value across all manufacturers for the expert inspection. This &#8220;at least once a year&#8221; approach can also be found outside of water law, for example in flame arresters.     <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ffbe0a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ffbe0a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Above-ground pipelines<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4881e14 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4881e14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>But even for the &#8220;banal&#8221; above-ground pipeline, water law sets the benchmarks for the operator. For this purpose, the Technical Rule for Water-Hazardous Substances TRwS 780 contains clear specifications regarding the recurring tests as well as the content design of the maintenance plan. Analogously, TRwS 779 extends the requirements for maintenance and monitoring plans for the entire system.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77c8a09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"77c8a09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Don't do the math without the auditor<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dccec17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dccec17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>An all too creative interpretation of the maintenance scope as well as an overextension of the maximum deadlines will therefore fall on the operator&#8217;s feet at the latest during the next recurring system inspection in accordance with \u00a7 46 of the Ordinance on Installations Requiring Supervision (AwSV). As a remedy, a maintenance concept coordinated with an expert organization could be created, based on the Industrial Safety Ordinance. However, the assessments regarding the risks would have to be supported by both parties in agreement.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a9e80e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9a9e80e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When the revolution devours its own children<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e83836 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9e83836\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In summary, maintenance personnel of facilities handling water-hazardous substances face strict limits for a risk-based maintenance concept. Therefore, potential savings may be realized primarily with regard to supply security. And that&#8217;s exactly when &#8220;the revolution devours its own children.&#8221; The closer cost savings bring you to a &#8220;production failure&#8221; scenario, the more expensive the consequences can ultimately become.   <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6005f62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6005f62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"273\" height=\"218\" src=\"https:\/\/goehler.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/grafik-risiko-blog-wasserrecht.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6912\" alt=\"Graphic Risk Blog Post Maintenance in Water Law\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The limits of risk-based maintenance in water law In global competition, German companies face increasing cost pressure, making creative cost-saving solutions appear attractive. A corresponding approach in German industry has long been the shift from preventive maintenance (PM) according to DIN EN 13306 to risk-based maintenance (RBI) according to DIN EN 16991. Content PM vs. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":6911,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_angie_page":false,"content-type":"","page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[92],"class_list":["post-6910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en","tag-maintenance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6910"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8438,"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6910\/revisions\/8438"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goehler.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}