Full definition
Classification of assets by their impact on safety, production, environment and cost upon failure. Methodology: Criticality = Failure frequency × Consequence (production + safety + environmental + repair cost). Common scales: A/Critical, B/Important, C/Secondary. Class A requires intensive predictive maintenance; B requires preventive; C requires scheduled corrective. Basis for defining critical spare stock, inspection frequencies and RCM strategies. Standard: NFPA 70E for electrical systems.