Free generator pre-start checklist
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Free generator pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Covers fuel system, engine, electrical and safety checks for diesel and petrol generators. Download free.
Commercial Director
Updated 2 May 2026
How to use: download the PDF, print or complete digitally on any device.
- PDF format, ready to print or fill on screen
- Use as-is or customise to suit your operation
- Go digital in MapTrack for photos, alerts and audit trails
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What is a generator pre-start checklist?
A generator pre-start checklist is a structured form used to inspect a generator before it is started each shift. It covers the fuel system, engine, electrical components and general safety items including earthing, RCDs and ventilation. Generators are used across construction sites, events, remote operations and as standby power for facilities. Because they involve fuel, exhaust gases, high voltages and moving parts, a thorough pre-start check helps operators confirm the unit is safe, identifies faults before they cause failures or hazards, and provides documented evidence of compliance with Australian WHS regulations and AS/NZS 3010 (Electrical installations - Generating sets). In Australia, generators on construction sites must also comply with AS/NZS 3012 (Electrical installations - Construction and demolition sites). Under the WHS Act 2011, the PCBU must ensure that plant, including generators, is without risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. Chapter 5 of the WHS Regulations prescribes duties for managing risks from plant, covering inspection, maintenance records and ensuring workers who operate the plant are competent to do so. Generators pose equipment-specific hazards such as electrocution from damaged cables or missing earth connections, carbon monoxide poisoning when operated in poorly ventilated spaces, fuel fires from leaking lines or overfilled tanks, and burns from hot exhaust components. Electrical connections and earth stakes may need to be installed or verified by a licensed electrician depending on the generator capacity. A documented pre-start inspection is the standard evidence of compliance for audits, insurance and incident investigations.
Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.
Benefits of using this generator pre-start checklist
- Electrical safety: verify earth stakes, RCDs, output breakers and cable condition before energising.
- Fuel leak prevention: catch fuel line issues, loose caps and filter problems before they become fire risks.
- WHS compliance: documented inspections meet Work Health and Safety requirements for electrical plant.
- Reduced downtime: identify low fluids, blocked filters and belt wear before the generator fails mid-shift.
- Ventilation check: confirm adequate airflow to prevent carbon monoxide build-up in enclosed areas.
- Audit trail: maintain a verifiable history of pre-start inspections for audits and incident investigations.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise generator checklists in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
- Auto-schedule pre-start forms so operators are prompted before every shift.
- Flag overdue pre-starts on the dashboard so nothing leaves the yard unchecked.
- Link each pre-start to the asset record for a complete inspection history.
Book a demo to see how MapTrack handles generator checklists.
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“Bloody amazing! We used to spend 1-2 days a week tracking and managing our generators alone.”
Steve McAllister
Asset Coordinator, Saunders International
What to include in a generator pre-start checklist
This generator pre-start checklist covers 8 key areas:
- Generator details: type (diesel/petrol/standby/trailer-mounted), make/model, serial/fleet number, kVA rating.
- Operator details: name, inspection date.
- Fuel system: fuel level, fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel cap, leaks.
- Engine: oil level, coolant level, belts, air filter, exhaust.
- Electrical: battery condition, terminals, output breaker, earth stake, cables/leads, RCD.
- Safety and general: guards, emergency stop, ventilation, fire extinguisher, labels, housekeeping.
- Defect register: item, description, action required.
- Sign-off: operator and supervisor.
How to use this generator pre-start checklist
- Record generator details including type, make/model, serial number and kVA rating.: Note whether the unit is diesel, petrol, standby or trailer-mounted. Record the fleet number, current hour meter reading, kVA rating and the date and time of the inspection.
- Check the fuel system with the generator off: fuel level, lines, filter and cap. Look for leaks.: Verify the fuel tank is adequately filled for the planned run time. Trace fuel lines from tank to engine looking for cracks, loose clamps or drips. Confirm the fuel cap seal is intact and the fuel filter bowl is clean.
- Inspect engine: oil, coolant, belts, air filter and exhaust system.: Check oil level on the dipstick and top up if low. Verify coolant is at the correct mark on the overflow bottle. Inspect drive belts for cracking or glazing and confirm the exhaust system has no leaks or blockages.
- Check all electrical components: battery, terminals, output breaker, earth stake, cables and RCD.: Inspect battery terminals for corrosion and ensure connections are tight. Verify the earth stake is driven to the correct depth and the earth lead is securely connected. Test the RCD by pressing the test button and confirming it trips.
- Record any defects and report per your site procedures. Do not operate until safety defects are rectified.: Note each defect with a description and severity rating. Tag the generator out of service if electrical faults, fuel leaks or missing earth connections are found. Notify the supervisor and a licensed electrician if required.
- Sign off, date the form and save as PDF.: Confirm all items are marked Pass, Fail or N/A. Print your name, sign and record the date and time. In MapTrack, submit the completed inspection to link it to the generator asset record automatically.
In MapTrack, you can run digital pre-starts attached to each asset. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full generator pre-start checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
Complete a pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. Standby generators should be run and tested monthly under load. If the generator has been relocated, repaired or used by another operator, perform a fresh check. Quarterly inspections should cover deeper items such as fuel system cleaning, battery load testing and electrical connection tightening. Annual servicing should include a full engine and alternator review. In MapTrack, you can schedule each inspection tier and track compliance across your entire generator fleet.
Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- AS/NZS 3010 (Electrical installations - Generating sets)
- AS/NZS 3012 (Construction and demolition sites)
- WHS Regulations (plant and equipment)
Embed this free template on your website
Run an industry blog, trade association site, or training resource? Drop a preview of this free generator pre-start checklist straight into your page. The snippet is self-contained, needs no scripts, and links readers back to the full free template.
<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0E7490;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Generator pre-start checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Generator details: type (diesel/petrol/standby/trailer-mounted), make/model, serial/fleet number, kVA rating.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Operator details: name, inspection date.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Fuel system: fuel level, fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel cap, leaks.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Engine: oil level, coolant level, belts, air filter, exhaust.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Electrical: battery condition, terminals, output breaker, earth stake, cables/leads, RCD.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Safety and general: guards, emergency stop, ventilation, fire extinguisher, labels, housekeeping.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/generator-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Generator pre-start checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Please keep the “by MapTrack” attribution link in the snippet.
Need to run digital pre-starts attached to each asset?
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