Design Life vs Service Life
Design life is theoretical. When a product is first designed engineers can calculate how long it might last based on expected conditions, uses and physical properties of the item.Service life is based on a firm's operational experience in supporting products. For example, a firm that has deployed solar panels for 20+ years gains an understanding of how long they last in the field in a variety of climates. Service life is typically attached to operational conditions and is more likely to be used in a commercially binding document.Example
A high speed train manufacturer estimates design life as part of the planning for a new aircraft model. Before they enter into commercial agreements to support the new trains they calculate service life by looking at the operational costs and risks of similar models that have been on the market for an extended period of time.| Design Life vs Service Life | ||
Design Life | Service Life | |
Definition | The forecast life expectancy of buildings, facilities, infrastructure, equipment, vehicles and products based on their design. | The forecast life expectancy of buildings, facilities, infrastructure, equipment, vehicles and products based on real world conditions. |
