What is the minimum length of time it is recommended to run a diesel engine for?
NFPA 25 (section 8.3.1.3) requires that a diesel engine driven fire pump must run for 30 minutes once a week. This is due to the fact that the performance of an engine that is not run on a regular basis can deteriorate. This section is often confused with section 8.3.1.2 that requires electric fire pumps to be run for 10 minutes on a weekly basis. Diesel engines must be run for 30 minutes in order to reach and maintain the design operating temperature. If a diesel engine is run for 10 minutes, the operator cannot be sure that the engine will not overheat if run for a longer duration (as in an emergency condition).
