Testing of diesel fuel requirements.

[ContractorDave]

The 2014 edition of NFPA 25 introduces fuel testing requirements in section 8.3.4 with the rather vague description of "testing for degradation" per ASTM D975‐11b. I read a LinkedIn blog referring to this and how different testing companies have different ideas about what should be tested for in this case. As well, I contacted a testing firm and they advised that they can test for no less than 13 different parameters. I would presume that the more testing that has to be done, the more costly the endeavor.
Is anyone here aware of what tests satisfy 8.3.4.1.1? And maybe a lead on a reputable testing firm who has experience with diesel fire pump engines (assuming that passing along such information doesn't break any forum rules)?

Regards
D

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be
Thomas Paine

http://www.ykfireprevention.ca

 

[skdesigner]

I agree NFPA 25 is fairly vague on this matter. I believe the testing requirements originated from NFPA 110 Standard for Standby and Emergency Power Systems, and were packaged into NFPA 25 by the technical correlating committee because diesel fire pump engines require the same level of care and maintenance as diesel-driven emergency generators. That's just me making assumptions.

It does make sense though, as all of the common engine manufacturers that Clarke builds with (John Deere, Caterpillar and Doosan) specify #2 Diesel complying with ASTM D975.

ASTM D975 is a specification for new diesel fuel, meant to apply to fuel leaving the refinery, as opposed to fuel sitting in a storage tank for a year, but it reasonably follows that the fuel would still need to comply regardless of how old it is. ASTM D975 specifies 13 test categories, which is likely why the testing lab gave you that number. These are the required tests:

Flash Point
Water and Sediment
Distillation
Viscosity
Sulfur
Cetane Index
Cetane Number
Cloud Point
Ash Content
Copper Corrosion
Carbon Residue
Lubricity
Conductivity

I imagine the testing lab could easily run all 13 tests on a fairly small sample obtained from the tank drain at the bottom the tank. Unless NFPA says something different, my interpretation would be that every test noted in ASTM D975 would have to be conducted and register a 'pass' to comply with NFPA 25 8.3.4.1.

As far as where to get the sample tested, you might start with the local bulk fuel distributors. They would need to have some way of confirming that the fuel in their tanks is good before delivering it to say, the airport. They might have an in-house lab. Otherwise you might need to ship it to Edmonton (

https://www.intertek.com/contact/americas/canada/).

John Deere has a program for fuel testing called DieselScan - if there's an Ag dealer in town, they might be able to help too.