What Does Grease Trap Mean In Construction?
What Does Grease Trap Mean In Construction?
A grease trap is a receptacle into which wastewater containing Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) flows through before entering a drainage system.
The receptacle is designed to intercept or “trap” the FOG while allowing the wastewater to pass through. Grease traps are often the first-choice FOG management solution for kitchen operators.
Grease traps work on the basis that animal fats and vegetable oils (grease) are 10 to 15 percent less dense than water and that grease won’t mix with water.
When wastewater enters a grease trap, the flow rate is reduced enough so the wastewater is given enough time to cool and separate into 3 layers. Grease traps are not wastewater treatment devices, but rather capture and contain spent FOG until it can be removed by a waste hauler.
Grease traps are required in many cities to ensure grease doesn’t block sewer lines and result in sanitary issues. The efficiency of a grease trap is an important factor when choosing one for commercial use.
How Often Do Grease Traps Need To Be Cleaned?
Grease traps should be cleaned on average every one to three months. The frequency of cleanings depends on the amount of FOGS (fats, oils, and grease) produced by the kitchen. If 25% of the grease trap is filled with FOGS, it requires prompt cleaning.
Additionally, some cities and counties have regulations in place to dictate the time between grease trap cleanings.
To ensure that your grease trap is properly maintained, it is important to scrape plates and utensils of any excess food or debris before washing to limit the number of FOGS making their way to your trap.
Can Grease Traps Cause A Fire?
Yes, grease traps can cause a fire if they are not regularly serviced and cleaned. Grease traps are highly combustible and can accumulate a build-up of grease that is flammable.
If the grease trap is located too close to a stove or other heated elements, this increases the risk of a fire.
Additionally, if the grease trap cover is not strong enough to support loads placed on it, this can create trip and fall hazards for employees working near or around the grease trap.
Regularly servicing and cleaning your grease trap is important to prevent clogged pipes, backed-up sewers, contamination of other parts of your property, health code penalties, and fires.
If you find debris and grease in places that you wouldn’t normally find it, this could be an indication that your grease trap needs to be serviced. It is also important to test and monitor the oxygen content, flammability, toxicity, or explosive hazards of large grease traps before entry.
How Do You Know If You Have A Grease Trap?
To determine if you have a grease trap, you can look for it under your sink in a metal box, on your kitchen floor under a metal sheet, or outside your restaurant under 1, 2, or 3 man-hole covers.
Grease traps are designed to capture fats, oils, and greases (FOG) before entering the wastewater system. The size of the grease trap can vary from 10 gallons to 500 gallons.
It is important to regularly clean out the grease trap or interceptor as FOG can accumulate and make it difficult for water to drain. The ¼ rule provides a good estimate on when to clean out the grease trap or interceptor – when it has filled up to ¼ of its size.
Businesses should be aware of this rule and clean their grease traps frequently enough to maintain less than a specified level of FOG.
