Grease Trap Regulations: 310 Mass. Reg. 15.230 Explained
In the state of Massachusetts, grease traps must comply with certain requirements regarding construction and maintenance. All commercial establishments must adhere to the 13 guidelines outlined in 310 Mass. Reg. 15.230 or risk legal penalties. These guidelines cover physical grease trap build requirements, as well as regulations regarding their care and maintenance. For grease trap design, the following requirements must be met:
- Grease traps must have a minimum capacity of 1,000 gallons, and all discharge must flow to a properly designed septic tank.
- Grease traps must feature a manhole frame and cover of at least 20 inches in diameter to grade over inlet and outlet tees.
- They must be watertight, constructed of approved materials, and installed on a mechanically compacted base with six inches of crushed stone.
- In some locations, the installation of an alarm or remote monitoring device may be required.
- The invert elevation of a grease trap inlet must be at least two inches above the outlet’s invert elevation. Both the inlet and outlet need to be at the center of the tank, at least 12 inches above high groundwater elevation.
Regarding grease trap care and maintenance, 310 Mass. Reg. 15.230 states that grease removal using devices located within the building’s internal plumbing must comply with the State Plumbing Code. Using grease removal devices that are located outside of the building requires prior written Department approval.
Additionally, grease traps need to be maintained according to the requirements outlined in 310 CMR 15.351. They must also be easily accessible for inspection and maintenance, with nothing constructed above the grease trap access location.
Warning Signs of a Clog
The main reason that grease traps develop clogs is that they are not being cleaned frequently enough. Grease traps require regular rodding to remove debris build-up and maintain clog-free functioning. Furthermore, the cleaning process should cover all of the grease trap surfaces, including its sides, baffles, and the bottom of the trap. If it’s been a while since your last scheduled cleaning, or if you’ve been allowing solid wastes to enter your grease trap, you’re at a greater risk of encountering a clog.
Make sure you’re regularly checking the grease and oil levels in your receptacle, and monitoring the lines in and out of the trap for blockages. The inlet and outlet pipes must be rodded out to remove debris buildup. Having a qualified professional like Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ regularly maintain your grease traps is necessary for adhering to state regulations and preventing costly clogs or faulty equipment breakdowns.
Our team serves the greater Boston and southern New Hampshire area with the industry’s best grease trap cleaning equipment, including 4,000 PSI high-pressure water jetting equipment and 5,000-gallon vacuum pump trucks. Regular grease trap maintenance prevents costly clogs and the numerous other issues associated with them, such as:
- Customer complaints
- Foul odors
- Back-ups and flooding
- Business closure
- Contamination and health issues
- Expensive remediation services
The Grease Trap Cleaning Process
Whether your grease trap is passive or automatic, it will need regular professional cleaning. The services we provide for our commercial customers involve many steps to ensure no detail is overlooked. Here’s a basic overview of our processes:
- Locate the grease trap and remove the lid. Whether indoors or outdoors, our professionals will locate your grease trap and remove the lid slowly to prevent damage to the gasket underneath.
- Remove the collected grease. Next, our pump truck will remove floating FOG before we vacuum out any water and residual solids.
- Clean the trap itself thoroughly. All parts of the grease trap are professionally cleaned, including the lid, baffles, and sides, to remove any leftover FOG.
- Test the cleaned trap. The trap is put back together and then flushed with a gallon of water to check for drainage issues and ensure proper functioning.
- Dispose of all FOG. To dispose of FOG, you must contact a Board of Health licensed professional in your area.
To help you better maintain your grease trap between visits, here are some guidelines to follow:
- Ensure your grease trap is the appropriate size for your business
- Regularly monitor your grease trap and pipes
- Rinse utensils and dishes with cold water to help solidify and better separate FOG
- If possible, reduce oil usage, as well as chemicals like bleach or chlorine
- Recycle oils and throw away excess food separately instead of putting it down the disposal
What Businesses Need Commercial Grease Trap Cleaning
With over 85 years of experience, Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ has provided expert care for all kinds of businesses. For commercial grease trap cleaning, we commonly serve:
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Schools
- Golf clubs
- Hospitals and nursing homes
No matter how large or small, any facility that discharges grease benefits from professional grease trap maintenance. We can help you ensure your grease traps comply with local ordinances and prevent costly breakdowns and clogs. For more information about our grease trap cleaning and maintenance services, contact Service Pumping & Drain Co., Inc.™ today.
