For each bridge, a maintenance book shall be kept where all the relevant events that have happened on the bridge are compiled. Combined with the Bridge Maintenance Plan and the bridge “as built” construction project, these will constitute an essential set of information for the management of the bridge. The maintenance book should include full details of all events occurring in the bridge listed in the table below, as well as any other issues that are considered relevant.
INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE BRIDGE MAINTENANCE PLAN
1 Maintenance works performed
2 Inspections
3 Exceptional heavy transports
4 Exceptional weather events
5 Accidents or incidents that may have damaged any component of the bridge: vehicle collisions, falling trees, etc.
6 Repair interventions
7 Upgrade works
The maintenance book must always be kept by the owner of the bridge and shall be accessible to the contractor until the liability period has expired, as well as to any agent involved in the management of the bridge.
Who should ensure compliance with the maintenance plan?
The bridge owner must ensure compliance with the Bridge Maintenance Plan. Only if the specifications provided in the Bridge Maintenance Plan are complied with as specified therein can the service life of the bridge be guaranteed. Otherwise, the service life under optimum service and safety conditions will be shortened.
In the event of failure of the bridge due to lack of maintenance, the designer and contractor shall be exempted from liability. Guarantees can only be provided if the Bridge Maintenance Plan is fully implemented.