Is it a legal requirement to have a grease trap for a small cafe?

[Businessowner123]

I have had an inspection from my water company to see how I dispose my oils and they say it would be better to have a grease trap.

But online it says I am required to have one installed.

These are looking to be costing at least a thound pounds which is a lot lot of money. I also do not want to break the law

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

But online it says I am required to have one installed.

Where?

 

[Businessowner123]

Where?

When I was looking to buy a grease trap online. In the description it mentions new regulations has come in making it mandatory for food establishments

 

[Mark T Jones]

There are caveats and exceptions, but to be sure if compliance you should make the investment


Try calling your EHO

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

So, find out what the regulations are (or speak to EHO, as mentioned) and make a decision.

WHat do search engines reveal?

 

[kulture]

Basically if the water company finds a fatburger blocking the drains and believes that it came from your cafe then they can fine you tens of thousands of pounds.

The blogs on companies selling grease traps exaggerate the risks and highlights the regulations that imply that you should have one. Now should is not MUST.

I suspect that many many small cafes do not have grease traps.

That said I have never heard of a water company inspecting a cafe, so they must have had a reason. Further once they have their eyes on you you need to be very sure of what you do.

 

[Waddy]

The law literally says it needs to be adequate, who determines whether it is adequate?

Building Regulations 2000, Schedule 1, Part H.

Foul water drainage​

H1. —

(1) Any system which carries foul water from appliances within the building to a sewer, a cesspool or a septic or settlement tank, shall be adequate.

(2) Foul water in sub-paragraph (1) means waste water which comprises or includes—

(a)waste from a sanitary convenience or other soil appliance;

(b)water which has been used for cooking or washing.

 

[UKSBD]

The law literally says it needs to be adequate, who determines whether it is adequate?

Building Regulations 2000, Schedule 1, Part H.

The approved documents tell you what Secretary of State considers adequate

Part H of the approved documents - https://assets.publishing.service.g...achment_data/file/442889/BR_PDF_AD_H_2015.pdf - 2.21 says kitchens in commercial hot food premises should be fitted with a grease separator complying to BS EN 1825-1:2004

Now you could go looking for that but will only confuse yourself.

Far simpler to just search on Google for BS EN 1825-1:2004 compliant grease separators.

The thing is though, this is building regulations.
If it is an existing building, no change of use, no building work being done, it should already have passed the regs which were in place at the time, and you don't have to do anything. (You are better doing it though)

 

[BobzYourUncle]

We had one put in at another site we rent out. Because we shared drains with office site next door who put in extra 5 toilets for their expanding office.. the drains were getting blocked frequently.. with bog rolls, wipes etc.. but because some grease from our takeout would go seep into the drain this would coat the pipes and harden and next door office bog rolls and crap would get stuck to the grease in the pipes causing blockages. This was confirmed when they put camera down the drain. We installed grease trap and dosing unit.. that did the trick. Water company said that if there was any more blockages they would be having words with the office since we fulfilled our legal obligations.. so yeah is better to get it done especially if there has been blockages.. we bought the fat trap and dosing machine and got local plumber to fit it and have someone to clean it every 3 months of so.. the trap was put externally as didn't have room in the kitchen. Came to around £800 in total include G trap and plumber fitting. Hope this helps.