How Does Commercial Kitchen Plumbing Work?

Commercial kitchens are an integral part of many businesses, but if a piece of equipment fails, it can massively disrupt the business’s ability to operate. 

At Lacey Plumbing & Heating, we fit, service and can conduct maintenance and emergency repairs specifically for commercial kitchens.

Plumbing fixtures in commercial kitchens

Some of the main plumbing fixtures that can be found in a commercial kitchen include:

• Food scrap sinks
• Meat preparation sinks
• Automatic dishwashers
• Floor drains 
• Floor sinks 
• Spray taps
• Double sinks 

Commercial kitchen plumbing requirements

All businesses that use a commercial kitchen need to maintain sanitation. Due to the risk of foodborne illnesses, commercial kitchen plumbing networks must meet specifications that are much more demanding than in any residential kitchen. 

Floor drain and floor sinks 

Floor drains and floor sinks are a must in any commercial kitchen. Standing water is dangerous for both the workers and the kitchen appliances, so it’s important for commercial floors to slope towards floor drains that allow spills to safely drain away. 

While floor drains allow waste to exit the kitchen, floor sinks prevent waste water from entering. They are typically wherever appliances are connected to the sewage line, and are flush to the floor to have indirect connections to the sewer. 

Direct and indirect plumbing connections 

One of the most important requirements in commercial kitchens is knowing whether to use direct or indirect connections to the main sewage line. 

Although some fixtures, like floor drains, can be directly connected to the sewer, food storage preparation equipment must connect to the sewer indirectly through a private drain. This is to minimise any risk of sewage coming into contact with food. 

Grease trap and interceptors

Cooking and food serving food produces forms of waste, such as grease. The sheer volume of grease produced in a commercial kitchen can clog drains easily, which can lead to expensive repairs. 

Grease traps can help to fix this problem as they help to prevent any chance of grease entering the drainage system. 

Water supply 

Due to the demands of a commercial kitchen, supplying water can be challenging. For example, hot water in commercial kitchens is usually at a higher temperature, requiring the use of specialised plumbing equipment that isn’t usually found in residential settings. 

Gas supply 

Supplying gas is another important part of any commercial kitchen. While some pieces of equipment use electricity, many larger appliances require gas to work. 

How a plumber can help with commercial kitchen plumbing issues

At Lacey Plumbing & Heating, we have a highly skilled and experienced team of qualified commercial plumbers who can cater for all your plumbing needs from start to finish. 

Requirements for a commercial kitchen are demanding, and missing them could cause legal and public health issues, which is why it is always best to enlist the help of a commercial plumber to resolve any plumbing issues. 

Contact our team today to see how we can help your commercial kitchen plumbing needs.