{"id":"generator-diesel","version":"0.6.0","classification":{"uniformat":"D5090"},"names":["Generator, diesel standby"],"aliases":["genset","emergency generator","diesel generator","generator"],"service_life":{"median_years":22,"range_years":[19,25],"range_basis":"source_spread"},"pm_tasks":[{"task":"Visual inspection","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check coolant heater","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check coolant level","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check oil level","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check fuel level","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check charge-air piping","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check and clean air cleaner","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check battery charger","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Drain fuel filter","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Drain water from fuel tank","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check coolant concentration","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check drive belt tension","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Drain exhaust condensate","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check starting batteries","frequency":"P1M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Change oil and filter","frequency":"P6M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Change coolant filter","frequency":"P6M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Clean crankcase breather","frequency":"P6M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Check radiator hoses","frequency":"P6M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Change fuel filters","frequency":"P6M","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"},{"task":"Clean cooling systems","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"UFM 3-540-07 Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Generators","url":"https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufm_3_540_07_2026.pdf","page":42,"checklist":"Table 6-1 Typical Generator Maintenance Schedule"}],"basis":[{"type":"public_document","life_type":"planning","title":"CNA e-Tool Estimated Useful Life Table","by":"U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development","url":"https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/eul_for_cna_e_tool.pdf","page":15,"code":"HUD CNA 3.6.2.4","label":"Emergency/auxiliary generator","years":25,"note":"Same life for family and elderly properties. US multifamily housing. HUD's row does not name the fuel."},{"type":"public_document","life_type":"accounting","title":"Circular No. A-76 Revised Supplemental Handbook: Performance of Commercial Activities, Appendix 3 Useful Life and Disposal Value (March 1996)","by":"Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget (values estimated by the Defense Logistics Agency)","url":"https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/circulars/A76/a076supp.pdf","page":53,"code":"FSC 6115","label":"Generators and Generator Sets, Electrical, Expected Useful Life 19 (years)","years":19,"note":"Printed page 49. All electrical generator sets, any fuel and duty (not specific to standby service)."}],"confidence":{"grade":"C","sample_size":null},"open_questions":["Every source here is a published planning, design or accounting life. None is observed replacement data."],"contributors":["unfinished.one editors"],"last_reviewed":"2026-10-23","canonical_url":"https://unfinished.one/c/generator-diesel","versioned_url":"https://unfinished.one/c/generator-diesel/v/0.6.0","licence":"CC-BY-4.0","citation":"unfinished.one (2026). Generator, diesel standby, v0.6.0. https://unfinished.one/c/generator-diesel/v/0.6.0"}