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SQF Floor Sloping and Grease Trap

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Rick Schaper

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Posted 13 October 2021 - 04:39 PM

Hello all!

 

I searched for answers for these questions but cannot seem to find any answers. For reference, we are not currently SQF audited, but are planning to be in our new building next year.

 

We bought an empty building that we are building out. My question is about floor sloping in our production room. Right now there is a single floor drain and I think very little slope in the floor if any. The plan is to have a plumber put in trench drains, sinks, and hoses and then we will have a company coat the floor with epoxy. My question before we begin our buildout process is how do we ensure that there is adequate floor sloping towards the drains as required by the SQF code? There is not much information on it. How much slope does there have to be? Is there regulation for that? Is it the plumber that does the sloping or our epoxy company? How exactly might our auditor audit this part?

 

Another question regarding our plumbing is that we are having a large grease interceptor put in. SQF code says that it should be away from food processing areas and entrances to the premises. As of right now I believe the interceptor is planned on being installed under or around production. Will I get significant points off for this? I believe it will cost much more if we want to re-locate the grease interceptor somewhere outside away from entrances.

 

I guess I am trying to figure all of this out now so that I don't screw myself over for the future. Thanks in advance!



Scampi

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Posted 13 October 2021 - 05:47 PM

no auditor is going to ask you to prove that your floor slopes toward a drain, however it should still be done

 

the slope degree depends on the overall size of the room, and proximity to the drains, you're best bet is to ask your plumber/floor finisher   Plan on having the slope done prior to the epoxy.  I would think 0.5-1 " total slope is more than enough from wall to drain.  To drastic and you'll have people tripping and carts rolling on there own

 

Move the grease trap as far away as you can, and make sure it's on a sanitation schedule. No, as long as you can prove it's not a source of contamination, it would be an issue at all


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SQFconsultant

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Posted 13 October 2021 - 09:18 PM

I would suggest you inquire with your construction company. The flooring company may be able to do so however it is not normally their primary focus.

In general you will need to ensure adequate slopping from the wall/floor junction to ensure drainage - it sounds like a bit of floor work will be needed..


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Glenn Oster.

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Kara S.

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Posted 01 September 2022 - 12:49 PM

I know this is an older post but was curious if anyone had any sources from codes/ guidance documents about floor slopes with actual values.

 

1/4" per foot  or  2% slope - get discussed often but not really sure about the source. 


Kind regards, 

 

Kara

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IFSQN Business ListingLinkedIn  |  Webpage

 

 


Scampi

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Posted 01 September 2022 - 01:36 PM

quick google search shows that 2%  or 1/4"/foot is a construction SOP for floor drains


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Kara S.

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Posted 01 September 2022 - 01:46 PM

quick google search shows that 2%  or 1/4"/foot is a construction SOP for floor drains

 

But did you find anything in a ISO, EHEDG, 3A SSI - like code that says to do that?

 

I am just seeing articles about hygienic design and things on flooring company websites but wondering where those numbers actually originated from - like a building code or government guidance?  


Kind regards, 

 

Kara

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IFSQN Business ListingLinkedIn  |  Webpage

 

 


jfrey123

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Posted 02 September 2022 - 07:52 PM

When it comes to SQF on an issue like this, you'll be left with making sure your design actually works after the fact.  SQF doesn't call out a specific slope because building codes may be different from country to country (my speculation), and overall they only care about the sanitary conditions around such sloped floors/drains.

 

In short, an auditor won't care if your floor is built to a certain building code for sloping floors if they show up and find standing water everywhere.



SQFconsultant

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Posted 03 September 2022 - 01:18 AM

It was acrually a routine occurance as a former SQF Auditor that if I did not think the slope was adequate that I requested a spray down of the area and that is how an Auditor determines if the sloping is acceptable.

When this happened it was almost always found that the floor was improperly sloped.


Edited by SQFconsultant, 03 September 2022 - 01:19 AM.

All the Best,

 

All Rights Reserved,

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Glenn Oster.

Glenn Oster Consulting, LLC -

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http://www.GCEMVI.XYZ

http://www.GlennOster.com

 


G M

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Posted 07 September 2022 - 07:42 PM

I know this is an older post but was curious if anyone had any sources from codes/ guidance documents about floor slopes with actual values.

 

1/4" per foot  or  2% slope - get discussed often but not really sure about the source. 

 

The food safety side of the codes rarely have objective values, just subjective ones like "adequate to achieve [fill in the blank]". 

 

I would expect the manufacturer of the drain fixtures or flooring surface treatments to offer guidance on objective values for drainage, and as is frequently the case with food safety codes following the manufacturer's guideline is favored.



Scampi

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Posted 08 September 2022 - 01:53 PM

But did you find anything in a ISO, EHEDG, 3A SSI - like code that says to do that?

 

I am just seeing articles about hygienic design and things on flooring company websites but wondering where those numbers actually originated from - like a building code or government guidance?  

you never will---those codes will ONLY every tell you what you need to achieve, not how to get there

 

"In a stall shower, the plumbing code requires the floor to be sloped one quarter (1/4) of an inch per foot in order to carry the water effectively to the drain. This slope, according to the TCNA Handbook is called “sloped fill” or commonly known as the pre-slope.Apr 27, 2021"

 

 

https://epfloors.com...oncrete-floors/

 

 

 

 

 

Why are you so concerned with the source???


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Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: SlopeFloor, Epoxy, Urethane, Plumbing, Coating, Grease, Trap, Interceptor

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