Grease Traps Prevent Environmental and Safety Issues
Restaurants, food service companies, breweries, bakeries and communal cafeterias face increasing sanitary and environmental regulations. These often involve managing the grease and oils which are produced by their kitchens. Although these regulations may seem to be more of a hassle than helpful, they are put in place to protect your business against the very real dangers present in kitchens.
Many cities throughout the Midwestern United States are passing laws and regulations, making grease traps mandatory in certain situations. According to the Indiana Restaurant Association, restaurants, food companies and even residential property owners could be liable for fines, clean-up operations and damages for failing to install and maintain grease interceptors. To read more about these regulations, click here.
The Dangers of Grease
Fats, Grease and Oils may threaten the local water system, damage plumbing and cause odor problems for the facility. In addition, the EPA states that these substances can cause blockages in wastewater systems – potentially leading to sewage backing up through the pipes (2).This presents both health and environmental hazards, and the cost to clean up a sewage spill of this type may exceed one million dollars (3). However, one of the primary issues associated with oils, fats and grease are the fire risks which these flammable products can pose.
The Benefits of a Properly Installed Trap
Fortunately, having an expert design, install, maintain and clean a high-quality grease trap at your facility can effectively mitigate this risk. This is important, as working with a company that has experience in this area, can help to avoid expensive or dangerous issues in the future. Working with an experienced company will ensure you avoid fines or liability problems, and receive an opportunity to ask any safety questions associated with grease traps at your facility.
Choosing the Proper System
Traps can be installed indoors or outdoors, depending upon which configuration is most beneficial. Choosing and sizing the system correctly is also important for effective grease removal. Determining the right system for any facility involves the following considerations:
- Amount of grease and water generated
- Whether your facility uses an automatic dishwashing system
- Local wastewater regulations
- Potential freezing of outdoor systems
- How traps are cleaned and how often grease is removed
- Whether staff will clean the traps or if managers will hire professional service
- Pump capacity
Grease Trap Cleaning and Maintenance
According to IBIS World, using an outside service is a rising trend, as more businesses are hiring professional service companies to perform their grease trap cleaning, maintenance and FOG disposal. This may be due to the increasingly stringent regulations governing this issue, the high cost for failing to comply, and the serious safety risk which improper handling can give rise to.
Koorsen can provide expert advice on grease traps, whether it be on the appropriate size or the installation of traps. Koorsen can install grease traps ranging from 5 to 100 gallons in size in the Midwest and can clean traps holding up to 2,000 gallons..