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Free air compressor maintenance checklist: Dry air, steady pressure.
A printable air compressor maintenance checklist for screw and piston compressors in workshops and plants. It splits the daily items (drain, oil, pressure and leaks) from the weekly items (filters, belts, safety valve, dryer and cooler).
1. Pick a template
Suggested: weekly
2. Mark each check
0 of 9 checks done0 pass · 0 fail · 0 N/A
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What it covers
The air compressor checks.
How often: weeklyDaily items
- Drain condensate from the receiver tank
- Check the oil level
- Check operating pressure and temperature
- Listen for air leaks and unusual noise
Weekly items
- Clean or replace the intake filter
- Check belt tension and condition
- Test the safety relief valve
- Check the air dryer and auto drains
- Clean the cooler fins
These are common checks to start from. Your machine’s manual and the safety rules for your site come first, so add or change checks to match them.
From the field
Tips for a better check.
- Drain the receiver every day, even with auto drains. Water in the tank causes rust from the inside.
- Listen for leaks when the plant is quiet. Even small leaks waste a lot of power.
- Record the pressure and temperature, so a slow change shows up before a shutdown.
Want this check to come up on schedule? See how preventive maintenance plans work in Catalyces.
Know the rules
The receiver is a pressure vessel.
It is easy to forget that the air receiver is a pressure vessel. In the US, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.169 covers air receivers. It requires a drain at the lowest point of the tank, and safety valves that are tested frequently and at regular intervals. Receivers are usually built to Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and many states also require registration and periodic inspection.
In the UK, the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 apply. You need a written scheme of examination, drawn up by a competent person, and the examinations it lists must be done on time.
Test the safety valve by lifting it at pressure, and record the result. Never plug or adjust a valve that leaks. Replace it with one of the same rating.
Leaks are the biggest running cost most sites can fix. The US Department of Energy notes that leaks can waste 20 to 30% of a compressor’s output. Walk the lines when the plant is quiet, tag each leak, and record it as a job, so it gets fixed and not just found.
Last, check how the air is used. OSHA 1910.242(b) limits compressed air for cleaning to under 30 psi, with chip guarding and protective equipment. A blow gun at full line pressure is a common finding in audits.
Run these checks on every job
Questions
Air compressor checklist questions.
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