Grease Traps Help Keep Hospital Pipes Operating Smoothly

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Just like fatty food can clog a person's arteries, hospitals' plumbing systems can be blocked by grease and oils produced during food preparation.

Along with providing healing care to patients, hospitals serve thousands of meals each and every day. Between patient, employee and guest meals, the average 1,000-bed hospital serves 8,600 meals each day. And a lot of waste the prep work, cooking and cleaning up after all those meals generate a lot of waste in the form of food scraps as well as grease. In fact, about 17 percent of hospital waste is in the form of food.

To prevent food waste, many hospitals donate prepared meals or compost scraps. Oil from fryers can be sold to biofuel companies or disposed of by a specialized contractor. Even so, some waste - frequently in the form of grease and oil residue - goes down the drain when dishes and cooking implements are washed and sanitized. This waste poses a problem for not only the hospital, but also for the community at large.

Why is Waste Grease Hazardous?

When fats, oils and grease (FOGs) are hot, they become liquids. But when these materials cool, they become gelatinous immeasurable. Community members are left to wonder if the hospital is equipped to provide adequate patient care if the facility doesn't maintain its own infrastructure properly.

FOGs are also detrimental to municipal sewer systems and wastewater treatment facilities. That's because grease causes most blockages and sanitary sewer overflows in wastewater collection systems. Overflows pose a public health threat because the water can run into rivers, lakes and streams that are used for drinking water and recreation. Grease in the wastewater system can also inundate water treatment facilities, which threatens the community's water supply. Many states, cities and towns monitor the amount of FOGs released into the water treatment system. Facilities that don't comply with the standards are subject to fines and penalties. For example, in New York City, the maximum penalty is $10,000 per day for not complying with the rules.

How Can The Problem Be Fixed?

Grease interceptors from Green Turtle are the most effective solution for FOGs. A grease interceptor is a relatively simple device that's installed between the kitchen sink and the plumbing system. The interceptor traps grease and solids before they enter the waste water system. Grease traps have been used for centuries, and today's models are made of a variety of materials, including stainless steel, concrete, plastic or cast iron. They can be located inside or outside the building and may be subterranean.

The type of grease trap required for a kitchen depends on the size of compartment sinks, dishwashers, pot sinks and mop sinks. Passive grease traps are the most common type of inceptor. They are frequently used with three compartment sinks in commercial kitchens. The device restricts water flow and traps 85-90 percent of FOGs. The trapped FOGs must be pumped from the device periodically so that it continues to function properly. For an exhaustive look at grease trap design, innovation and function, see this report by the Water Environment Research Foundation.

Hospitals are not immune to the problems posed by FOGs. Grease, oils and fats are a common byproduct of the large amount of food prepared in hospitals' kitchens. Grease interceptors or traps represent the most effective way to prevent FOGs from clogging private and public sewage systems.