Commercial kitchens generate more grease than one would like. When the grease isn’t handled properly it can damage equipment, cause odors, start fires and even put you on the wrong side of the EPA and other government codes and restrictions. Learn a little more about your grease control obligations and how to keep your kitchen safe:
In the Kitchen
About 60% of all clogged drains and sewage lines are caused by grease. The lines become clogged when the oil and grease solidify when cold water hits. Contrary to belief, mixing grease with soapy water doesn’t unclog the line, it actually sticks to the side of your pipes over a series of days.
NFPA 96, a set of code and standards used by fire marshals nationwide, requires that your kitchen’s exhaust system be equipped with grease filters. These filters keep grease out of your ventilation, significantly reducing the risk of fire.
How to control grease in your kitchen:
- Never pour grease down the sink or drains in the floors.
- Ensure that all kitchen hoods are equipped with grease filters and clean them regularly.
- Use low-temperature automatic dishwashers to reduce the amount of grease that gets into sewage lines.
- Educate your employees on proper grease management procedures.
Around Your Dumpsters
When grease escapes from your dumpster, it could travel down into the storm drains and cause damage to local bodies of water. In order to prevent this from happening, local and state authorities enforce grease regulations to prevent the surrounding bodies of water from being contaminated. Here are a few tips to manage your grease dumpster area:
- Make sure that dumpsters are never overfilled.
- Keep lids on dumpsters to keep wildlife from pulling out trash that can spread grease and other debris.
- Never hose off the area around your dumpster, as that can cause water pollution.
- It’s best not to dispose of grease in dumpsters, as they can leak. Instead, use dedicated grease collection units that are emptied regularly.
On the Roof
Grease, oil and debris are discharged from your upblast exhaust fan and collect on your roof. Rooftop grease control is a necessity to prevent fires, roof damage, and keep you on the right side of local and federal regulations. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards and codes require grease capture systems for your ventilation fan. A rooftop grease containment system will allow water to pass through while keeping oily residue from escaping.
The Lane Guard low profile ground mounting pavement protection system is design to trap and contain grease spills and oil leaks before they enter the environment.
It’s Up To You
Like it or not, commercial kitchens are ultimately responsible for the fats, oils, and grease (FOG) they create. In addition to being a possible cause of structural damage and increasing your risk for fire, any grease not properly contained has the potential to send harmful pollutants into nearby rivers, lakes or other bodies of water.
Educate staff on why grease management is so important. People are more willing to support an effort when they understand the basis for it. By using proper grease containment systems and performing routine cleaning of your exhaust hoods and filters, using absorbent pads around grease dumpsters you can help stop FOG in its tracks and keep it from causing unnecessary and often costly issues for your business or the environment.