Codes and Guidelines for Grease Traps – Are You in Compliance?
Susan Daywitt founded SLM in 1998 and her unique approach to facility maintenance management, has saved SLM clients millions of dollars annually. Susan prides herself in organization and efficiency and will do whatever it takes to make it right for the clients she serves. The following article was written by Susan for the Facilitator.
Where there is food preparation there is grease. Improperly managed, grease can cause backups, clogged pipes and overflows, which is why grease management for restaurant facilities should remain a main focus for 2010/2011, based on the potential for massive costs that come into play if taking shortcuts. For effective management and corporate responsibility it is essential to know how each geographical area functions with regards to code mandates and compliance from the very beginning so properly designed grease traps are chosen and installed correctly, and scheduled services are identified and adhered to. Digging around thousands of metropolitan records, be it on-line or calling for updates or keeping up with code changes, new guidelines or city regulations is an overwhelming task for any business.
Grease is typically handled through the use of a grease trap or grease interceptor to contain food related grease and solids (fats, oils, and grease known as FOG) before ultimately discharging water into the sanitary water and sewer system. While the terms grease trap and grease interceptor are often used interchangeably, a distinction between the two exists. Grease traps tend to be smaller containment structures the facility designed to trap portions of the suspended grease and solids before they enter the building plumbing and exit the facility. Grease traps are located inside the facility and near the grease source. Interceptors are containment structures installed outside a building, typically made of concrete, designed to once again trap the grease and solids before discharging into the municipal water system. Interceptors can handle larger quantities of grease. The term grease trap will be used interchangeably in this article unless a distinction needs to be made for clarity around compliance.
To read the full article go to www.slmwaste.com
Entry filed under: Food. Tags: .
