In a image forming apparatus, a lifespan copy number (lifespan time period) previously
determined for each component is added to the replacement schedule copy number
(replacement schedule time) of respective components contained in the apparatus,
in other words the total print number (total print time) at the time of replacement
of a component, and the resulting value is recorded in a non-volatile memory. Therefore,
it is judged that a component lifespan has expired, each time that the total print
number (total print time) exceeds the replacement schedule copy number (replacement
schedule time period). Thereby, since the amount of information required for component
lifespan management is small, the capacity of the non-volatile memory can be reduced,
and hence cost reductions in the image forming apparatus can be achieved.
