Depending on which province you’re in, the air buildup time or compressor test has somewhat different paramenters. Still, all require that the diesel motor be at a fast idle. A fast idle on a diesel engine is between 900 &1200 rpm.

Provincial Compressor Build-up test parameters:

 Province

 Pressure Build-Up

Time 

 RPM

Ontario

 85psi – 100psi ((586 kPa – 690 kPa)  2 min  600-900

Quebec

 No compressor test    

British Columbia

 50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)  3 min  1000-1200

Alberta

50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa) 3 min   1000-1200

Manitoba

50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)  3 min  1000-1200

Saskatchewan

50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)  3 min 1000-1200 

Nova Scotia

50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)  3 min  1000-1200

New Brunswick

50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)  3 min  1000-1200

Newfoundland & Labradour

 50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)  5 min  1000-1200

Prince Edward Island

 ??    

Northwest Territories

 50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)  3 min  1000-1200

Yukon

 50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)  3 min  1000-1200

Nunavut

50psi – 90psi (345 kPa – 620 kPa)   5 min  1000-1200

The reason for the build-up or compressor test is to ensure that sufficient air is available to operate the air brakes and air accessories safely.

Most trucks build sufficient air in 1/3 of the time allocated for minimum standard.