UPC requirements

Grease Trap Installation: Complete Guide for Commercial Kitchens

April 5, 2026April 5, 2026 by Andrew

Plumber installing grease trap under sink in a commercial kitchen.

Grease trap installation mistakes cost restaurant owners $15,000 in repairs when they skip critical pre-installation steps. Most failures happen because owners don’t understand code requirements, permit processes, or proper elevation specifications before breaking ground. Key Takeaways: Under-sink installations require 18-inch minimum clearance while gravity interceptors need 3-foot access zones per UPC 1003.3.4 Licensed plumbers reduce … Read more

Under-Sink Grease Traps: Sizing, Installation, and Best Options

April 5, 2026 by Andrew

Hydromechanical grease trap under a sink with baffles and grease caught.

Grease trap under sink installations fail inspections more than any other commercial grease trap type. Most restaurant violations happen because owners picked the wrong size or installed it wrong. Key Takeaways: Under-sink hydromechanical traps handle 20-50 GPM flow rates for small to mid-size restaurant kitchens Installation requires 18 inches minimum clearance and specific fixture connection … Read more

Grease Trap Code Requirements: UPC vs IPC Standards Compared

April 5, 2026April 5, 2026 by Andrew

Modern kitchen with grease trap plumbing, dramatic lighting, and fog.

Grease trap code requirements vary drastically across states because 27 jurisdictions follow different plumbing codes with conflicting installation standards. Your commercial grease trap installation could fail inspection simply because you followed the wrong code. Key Takeaways: UPC uses fixture capacity method while IPC allows drainage fixture units, calculations can differ by 30% 15 states mandate … Read more

Grease Trap for a 3-Compartment Sink: Sizing and Connection Guide

April 5, 2026April 5, 2026 by Andrew

3-compartment sink setup with grease trap and connections in high detail.

3 compartment sink grease trap sizing determines whether your kitchen passes health inspections or gets shut down. One wrong calculation leaves you with an undersized trap that fails when inspectors arrive. Key Takeaways: Standard 3-compartment sinks require 15-25 GPM flow rates, driving 30-50 pound grease trap sizing Maximum 10-foot distance between sink and grease trap … Read more