Appendix A
Recommended Procedures for Sizing
Commercial Kitchen Grease Interceptors
A. Waste Discharge Requirements
1. Waste discharge from fixtures and equipment in establishments which may contain
grease, including but not limited to, scullery sinks, pot and pan sinks, dishwashing
machines, soup kettles and floor drains located in areas where grease-containing
materials may exist, may be drained into the sanitary waste through the interceptor when
approved by the Administrative Authority.
2. Toilets, urinals, and other similar fixtures shall not waste through the interceptor.
3. All waste shall enter the interceptor through the inlet pipe only.
B. Design
1. Interceptors shall be constructed in accordance with the design approved by the
Administrative Authority and shall have a minimum of two compartments with fittings
designed for grease retention.
2. There shall be an adequate number of manholes to provide access for cleaning all areas of
an interceptor; a minimum of one (1) per ten (10) feet (3.0m) of interceptor length.
Manhole covers shall be gastight in construction having a minimum-opening dimension
of twenty (20) inches (0.5m).
3. In areas where traffic may exist the interceptor shall be designed to have adequate
reinforcement and cover.
C. Location
1. Each grease interceptor shall be so installed and connected that it shall be at all times
easily accessible for inspection, cleaning, and removal of the intercepted grease. A
grease interceptor may not be installed in any part of a building where food is handled.
Location of the grease interceptor shall meet the approval of the Administrative
Authority.
2. Interceptors shall be placed as close as practical to the fixtures it serves.
3. Each business establishment for which a grease interceptor is required shall have an
interceptor, which shall serve only that establishment.
D. Sizing Criteria
1. Parameters: The parameters for sizing a grease interceptor are hydraulic loading and
grease storage capacity, for one or more fixtures.
2. Sizing Formula: The size of the interceptor shall be determined by the following
formula:
Number of Waste Retention Storage Interceptor Size
Meals X Flow X X Equals
Per peak Hour¹ Rate² Time³ Factor⁴ (Liquid Capacity)
1. Meals Served at Peak Hour
2. Waste Flow Rate
a. With dishwashing machine 6-gallon (22.7L) flow
b. Without dishwashing machine 5-gallon (18.9L) flow
c. Single service kitchen 2-gallon (7.6L) flow
d. Food waste disposer 1 gallon (3.8L) flow
3. Retention Times
Commercial Kitchen Waste
Dishwasher 2.5 hours
Single Service Kitchen
Single service 1.5 hours
4. Storage Factors
Fully Equipped Commercial Kitchen 8-hour operation: 1
16-hour operation: 2
24-hour operation: 3
1.5 hours
E. Effluent Sampling:
An effluent sampling box on grease interceptors may be required by the Administrative Authority.
F. Abandoned Grease Interceptors
Abandoned grease interceptors shall be pumped and filled as required for abandoned sewers and
sewage disposal facilities in Section 722.0.
TABLE 10-2
Grease Traps
Total Number of Fixtures Required Rate of Flow per Minute, Grease Retention Capacity,
Connected Gallons Pounds
1 20 40
2 25 50
3 35 70
4 50 100
TABLE 10-2
Grease Traps (Metric)
Total Number of Fixtures Required Rate of Flow per Minute, Grease Retention Capacity,
Connected Liters kg
1 76 18
2 95 22
3 132 31
4 189 45
Note: For installations with more than four (4) fixtures, the Administrative Authority may permit the use
of larger grease traps designed not to exceed the parameters of Section 1011.4, but not to exceed seventy-
five (75) GPM (284 liters per minute).
Section 1011.4 – 1013.0 Traps
1011.4 Each grease trap required by this section shall have an approved rate of flow which is not less than
that given in Table 10-2 for the total number of connected fixtures. The total capacity in gallons
(liters) of fixtures discharging into any such grease trap shall not exceed two and one-half (2 ½)
times the certified gpm (liters per minute) flow rate of the grease trap as per Table 10-2.
Any grease trap installed with the inlet more than four (4) feet (1.2 m) lower in elevation than the
outlet of any fixture discharging into such grease trap shall have an approved rate of flow which is
not less than fifty (50) percent greater than that given in Table 10-2. Not more than four (4)
separate fixtures shall be connected to or discharged into any one (1) grease trap.
For the purpose of this section, the term “fixture” shall mean and include each plumbing fixture,
appliance, apparatus, or other equipment required to be connected to or discharged into a grease
trap by any provision of this section.
1011.5 Each fixture discharging into a grease trap shall be individually trapped and vented in an approved
manner. An approved type grease trap may be used as a fixture trap for a single fixture when the
horizontal distance between the fixture outlet and the grease trap does not exceed four (4) feet
(1.2m) and the vertical tailpipe or drain does not exceed two and one-half (2 ½) feet (0.8m).
1011.6 Grease traps shall be maintained in efficient operating condition by periodic removal of the
accumulated grease. No such collected grease shall be introduced into any drainage piping, or
public or private sewer.
1011.7 No water-jacketed grease trap or grease interceptor shall be approved or installed.
1011.8 Each grease trap shall have an approved water seal of not less than two (2) inches (50.8 mm) in
depth or the diameter of its outlet, whichever is greater.
1011.9 Waste in excess of one hundred-forty (140)°F, (60)°C shall not discharge into a grease trap.
1012.0 Grease Interceptors for Commercial Kitchens
When grease interceptors are required, a recommended sizing criteria is provided in Appendix A.
1013.0 Food Waste Disposal and Dishwasher Prohibited
Unless specifically required or permitted by the Administrative Authority, no food waste disposal
unit or dishwasher shall be connected to or discharge into any grease trap.
Note: Each interceptor (clarifier) shall be properly vented.
1008.5 Location
Each interceptor (clarifier) cover shall be readily accessible for servicing and maintaining the
interceptor (clarifier) in working and operating condition. The use of ladders or the removal of
bulky equipment in order to service interceptors (clarifiers) shall constitute a violation of
accessibility. Location of all interceptors (clarifiers) shall be shown on the approved building
plan.
1009.0 Slaughter Houses, Packing Establishments, etc.
Every fish, fowl, and animal slaughter house or establishment and every fish, fowl, and meat
packing or curing establishment and every soap factory, tallow rendering, fat rendering and hide
curing establishment, or any other establishment from which considerable amounts of grease are
likely to be discharged into any plumbing system, sewer system, or private sewage disposal
system, shall be connected to and shall drain or discharge into a grease interceptor (clarifier) of an
approved design for this use.
1010.0 Grease Traps
1011.1 When, in the judgment of the Administrative Authority, waste pretreatment is required, an
approved type grease trap complying with the provisions of this section shall be installed in the
waste line leading from sinks, drains, and other fixtures or equipment in establishments such as
restaurants, cafes, lunch counters, cafeterias, bars and clubs, hotel, hospital, sanitarium, factory or
school kitchens, or other establishments where grease may be introduced into the drainage or
sewage system in quantities that can effect line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment or private
sewage disposal. A grease trap is not required for individual dwelling units or for any private
living quarters.
1011.2 No grease trap shall be installed which has an approved rate of flow of more than fifty-five (55)
gallons per minute (3.5 L/s), nor less than twenty (2) gallons per minute (1.2 L/s), except when
specially approved by the Administrative Authority.
1011.3 Each plumbing fixture or piece of equipment connected to a grease trap shall be provided with an
approved type flow control or restricting device installed in a readily accessible and visible
location in the tailpiece or drain outlet of each such fixture. Flow control devices shall be so
designed that the flow through such device or devices shall at no time be greater than the rated
capacity of the grease trap. No flow control device having adjustable or removable parts shall be
approved.
