Engineering Fact Sheet

For Grease Interceptors

GREASE INTERCEPTORS Service Alert

Sensors
Cast Iron
Access Hatchway

General Information
Sewers back up an estimated 400,000 times
each year in the United States causing Outlet

approximately 40,000 municipal sanitary

system overflows (SSO). The EPA has Double Tee
Inlet

determined that sewer pipe blockages Manifold

are the leading cause of SSO’s and grease

is the primary cause of sewer blockages.
Grease interceptors are devices designed
to reduce the amount of FOG (Fats, Oil
MODEL GTF
and Greases) in wastewater.

Grease interceptors are used in establishments to remove excessive

amounts of grease that may interfere with the proper drainage and
treatment of wastewater. Even if accumulated FOG does not escalate
MODEL GT
into blockages and SSO’s, it will disrupt wastewater treatment CROSS SECTION
operations and increase costs. Most Local plumbing codes prohibit any
industrial user from discharging FOG over 100 (mg/l) into the public
sewer system.
Grease Trooper Performance Schedule
The general doctrine, of most Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), is
one of “user pay”, especially when it comes to solid waste. Therefore, it Flow Rate GPM
Max Grease Max Solids
makes sense for establishments that create FOG to be responsible for its Model Capacity Dimensions Empty Wt.
Capacity Capacity Gal
Number Gal Average Intermittent Inches lbs.
collection and disposal. Otherwise, the burden is on the municipality Gal (3)
(1) (2)
and ultimately the taxpayer to pay for sewer blockages and grease
overloads at sewer treatment plants. It is prudent for the consultant GT-500 500 17 26 275 174 94x52x54 9,500
engineer to utilize a Best Management Practice (BMP) that includes
GT-750 750 25 38 410 260 94x52x72 9,900
adequate sizing for the grease interceptor.
GT-1000 1,000 33 50 545 350 104x60x72 13,350
Typical applications include commercial and institutional kitchens and
GT-1250 1,250 42 63 690 440 110x68x72 14,650
food processing plants. The waste discharge from these facilities usually
contains high temperature water, high organic loads, FOG, suspended GT-1500 1,500 50 75 820 530 110x68x84 16,050
food particles, and detergents.
GT-2000 2,000 67 100 1,100 700 108x72x96 21,250
New plumbing codes have eliminated the term “grease trap” from the GT-2500 2,500 83 125 1,375 875 156x84x84 27,050
code and now designated “Hydromechanical” Grease interceptor and
“Gravity” Grease interceptor as the two types of grease interceptors. GT-3000 3,000 100 150 1,650 1,050 156x84x96 33,150
Park® sells both units, but Gravity Grease interceptors are by far the GT-3500 3,500 1167 175 1925 1225 156x84x102 38,590
design of choice by engineers and city officials.
GT-4000 4,000 1333 200 2200 1400 192x102x84 38,100
Hydromechanical Grease Interceptors incorporate air entrapment, the
GT-5000 5,000 1667 250 2750 1750 192x102x96 41,550
buoyancy of grease in the water and hydromechanical separations with
interior baffling for FOG separation. Hydromechanical units incorporate GT-6000 6,000 2000 300 3300 2100 192x102x108 44,700
a flow-control device that controls velocity as it enters the interceptor.
These are typically smaller interceptors installed indoors in the floor or GT-7000 7,000 2333 350 3850 2450 216x108x120 59,908
under-the-sink. Hydromechanical grease interceptors require cleaning GT-8000 8,000 2667 400 4400 2800 216x108x130 65,018
every 2-4 days and are typically cleaned by kitchen personnel. City
health departments have concerns regarding proper cleanout and GT-9000 9,000 3000 450 4950 3150 216x108x115 69,116
accurate documentation of maintenance. Many major cities have GT-10000 10,000 3333 500 5500 3500 254x135x104 85,760
prohibited the installation of hydromechanical interceptors within food
preparation areas without special variances. GT-11000 11,000 3667 550 6050 3850 254x135x114 89,950

GT-12000 12,000 4000 600 6600 4200 254x135x120 93,280

Hydromechanical units are sized by determining flow-through rate
(gpm) at peak demand for each fixture draining into the unit. GT-13000 13,000 4333 650 7150 4550 254x135x126 97,960

Check with the local AHJ before specifying Hydromechanical units to GT-14000 14,000 4667 700 7700 4900 254x135x134 101,040
determine if the jurisdiction allows these type units. GT-15000 15,000 5000 750 8250 5250 254x135x146 107,700
1. Recommended for 100 mg/L (ppm) effluent concentration of grease (most plumbing codes)
Gravity Grease Interceptors incorporate two or more compartments in 2. Maximum intermittant flow rate
series and use its inherent larger volume to maximize the pretreatment 3. Precast concrete model
of the wastewater. By comparison, the Gravity Interceptor is more
effective because of its larger volume that acts as a heat-sink. This allows The Gravity Interceptor also allows for solids retention from food grinders.
for temperature differential (cool down) and more retention time Gravity grease interceptors are generally located outdoors away from the kitchen
of the greasy liquid to promote separation and coagulation of FOGs areas. This eliminates the health department concerns regarding maintenance
from the wastewater. and disposal of FOGs.

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For Grease Interceptors

Recent findings by EPA of SSOs in cities and accompanying fines have caused states
and municipalities to require haulers of grease to be registered. Owners are required
to maintain documentation of “pump-out” for review by the health department.

Maintenance
One of the most important features for the successful operation of the grease
interceptor is the maintenance program. Regardless of the size or design, an
interceptor is only as good as its maintenance program. The interceptor should be
located so that it will be easily accessible for inspection, cleaning and removal of
collected FOG. The interceptor should be located near the source of the wastewater
for the protection of the piping system.

There should be an adequate number of access manholes to permit access for

cleaning all areas of the interceptor. Access manholes should be located near the inlet
and the outlet. The manholes should not be less than 20” in size. All manholes should
extend to grade and be suitable for traffic loading for indoor and sensitive areas.

The grease interceptor should be cleaned (or pumped out) routinely to insure grease Fig. 4 - Typical Precast Concrete GreasTrooper®
detention performance. Cleaning should be performed when the interceptor is at 75% Gravity Grease Interceptor Installation
of grease retention. The frequency of cleaning at any given installation will vary
depending on use. Pumping frequencies for restaurants range from 30 to 90 days.
Most AHJs have minimum requirements for pump out and require pump out manifest
records be maintained for review by local health departments. Typically, pump out
companies are required to be registered with the state’s water quality agency.
Types of Grease Interceptors

Gravity Grease Interceptors manufactured by ParkUSA are available in several styles

depending on the application.

Gravity Grease Interceptors Application Matrix

Grease Interceptor
GT Model Applications Advantages
Style
Precast Concrete Buried Below Strength,
GT
Design Grade Outdoors Lowest Priced
Free Standing
Stainless Steel Strength,
GTS Design, Indoors or
Design Moderately Priced
Outdoors
Buried or Free Fig. 4 - Typical Stainless Steel GreasTrooper®
Fiberglass Standing in Hard Convenient Gravity Grease Interceptor Installation
GTF Design to Reach Areas, Lightweight design
Outdoors or Indoors

• Typically, the ParkUSA GT Series Interceptor is the most economic and preferred
choice over all other interceptor types. The Park GT Series Interceptor is manufactured
of Class II 4500 PSI precast concrete offering superior structural strength and
longevity. As an option, the interceptor can be equipped with a variety of interior
chemical proof liners including PVC.

• The ParkUSA GTS Series Interceptor is a stainless steel unit and is recommended for
applications where the grease interceptor is installed in a freestanding position, i.e., in
a basement or on a slab.

• The ParkUSA GTF Series Interceptor is manufactured from fiberglass reinforced

polyester (FRP) material and is corrosion resistant and lightweight for above or below
ground installations.

Fig. 4 - Typical Composite GreasTrooper®

Gravity Grease Interceptor Installation

Need more information?

visit greasetrooper.parkusa.com

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 Engineering Fact Sheet
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For Grease Interceptors

Grease Interceptor Sizing Per UPC handbook definitions, a Fixture Unit is a quantity in terms of which
Gravity Grease Interceptors are recommended to be sized utilizing Best the load-producing effects on the plumbing system of different kinds of
Management Practices (BMP). The commonly used BMP sizing methods are the plumbing fixtures are expressed on some arbitrarily chosen scale.
Seating Method and the Drainage Fixture Unit Method (2012 UPC). All methods
are based on sizing according to local plumbing codes and on years of field
performance testing with methods utilizing the relationship of the probable Fixture Unit Pipe Size DFUs
flow rate and retention time to estimate the grease interceptor size.
1-1/4 inch 32 mm 1 unit
Seating Method: 1-1/2 inch 40 mm 3 unit
The different variables include number of seats or beds, gallons of wastewater 2 inch 50 mm 4 unit
per meal, storage capacity factor, number of hours open and loading factor.
3 inch 80 mm 6 unit

(D) x (MF) x (GL) x (RT) x (ST) = Size of Grease Interceptor (gallons) 4 inch 100 mm 8 unit
Gravity Grease Interceptor Sizing
Where:
D = Total Number of Seats in Dining Area
MF = Meal Factor, based on establishment type & average time per The first step is to quantify all the fixtures
meal: that could receive kitchen-type waste. It
DFU’s Interceptor Volume (2)
1.33 Fast Food / Cafeteria (45min) is important to note that only the fixtures 8 500 gallons
1.00 Restaurant (60min) that receive kitchen related waste are 21(3) 750 gallons
0.67 Fine Dining (90 min) tabulated (not toilets, urinals, etc...) As
0.50 Banquet Hall & Commissaries (120 min) 35 1,000 gallons
published in IPC Table 709.1 or UPC Table
0.375 School Cafeteria* (120 min) 7-3, DFU’s are tabulated for all the 90 (3) 1,250 gallons
*(lunches served over 120 min & 25% absentee/sack lunch factor rate)
plumbing fixtures. 172 1,500 gallons
GO = Gallons of wastewater per meal:
6 with dishwashing machine 216 2,000 gallons
The following table from UPC Section
5 without dishwashing machine 702.0, Fixture Unit Equivalents, covers 307 (3) 2,500 gallons
2 single service kitchen** fixtures and devices not shown in Table 342 3,000 gallons
1 food waste disposal 7-3 and is more applicable to commercial 428 4,000 gallons
RT = Retention Time: establishments.
2.5 commercial kitchen waste 576 5,000 gallons
1.5 single service kitchen Example: 720 7,500 gallons
ST = Storage Factor, based on hours of operation: An Industrial Food Processing Plant has 2112 10,000 gallons
1.0 operation of 8 hours the following fixtures:
1.5 operation of 12 hours 2640 15,000 gallons
• Six floor drains,
2.0 operation of 16 hours • Three hand sinks, 1. The maximum allowable DFU’s
3.0 operation of 24 hours • Two 3-compartment sinks, plumbed to the kitchen drain lines that
1.5 single service kitchen** • Four 2-compartment sinks will be connected to the grease
** Single service kitchen: meals are served as take out or on disposable plates
and utensils; facility clean-up is the only dishwashing involved. • A pot sink interceptor
• A 20 gpm dishwasher discharging into 2. This size is based on: the DFU’s, the

Example #1: a dedicated receptor pipe size from this code; Table 7-5; Useful

A well known Seafood Restaurant is being designed with a seating capacity of • A mop sink. Tables for flow in half-full pipes (ref:
Mohinder Nayyar Piping Handbook, 3rd
130 people, a full service kitchen, and an 8 hour operation schedule:
Edition, 1992)

(D) x (MF) x (GO) x (RT) x (ST)= Size of Grease Interceptor (gal) The fixtures are tabulated as follows:
130 x 1.00 x 5 x 2.5 x 1.0 = 1625 gallons
Fixtures DFU’s
A 2,000 Gallon interceptor is selected
6 4” Floor Drains @ 2 DFU’s each = 12
3. Based on 30-minute retention time
(ref.: Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. Small and
Decentralized Wastewater Management
Systems, 3rd Edition Ed. 1998). Rounded
up to nominal interceptor volume

Example #2: 3 Hand Sinks 2 DFU’s each = 6

A popular Fast Food Restaurant is being designed with a seating capacity of 50 2 3-Comp Service Sinks 4 DFU’s each = 8
people, a single service kitchen, and a 24 hour operation schedule: 4 2-Comp Service Sinks 2 DFU’s each = 8
1 Pot Sinks 4 DFU’s each = 4
(D) x (MF) x (GO) x (RT) x (ST)= Size of Grease Interceptor (gal)
1 Dishwasher 4 DFU’s each = 4
50 x 1.33 x 2 x 1.5 x 3.0 = 598.5 gallons
1 Mop Sinks 2 DFU ea = 2
A 750 Gallon Interceptor is selected Total = 44

Drainage Fixture Unit Method:

A total of 44 DFU’s are calculated. From the table provided above, a 1,250
The DFU method of sizing typically results in a smaller grease interceptor than is
gallon grease interceptor is selected.
recommended by ParkUSA but conforms to the latest 2012 Uniform Plumbing
Code. The use of this method of sizing may result in a system that requires
Worksheets:
continuous maintenance and/or will clog facility piping and municipal sanitary
Attached are two worksheets presented as typical examples of tools ParkUSA
systems.
offers to help with sizing. The first worksheet addresses the DFU method and
second worksheet presents the Seating/Meals method. Please contact
ParkUSA (888-611-7275) (info@park-usa.com) for electronic copies of the
sizing worksheets or to request assistance with specific projects.

Need more information?

visit greasetrooper.parkusa.com

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For Grease Interceptors

Grease Interceptor Sizing Worksheet Expert Design ver 1.0 Seat/Meals BMP-IPC
Project: Sample Seating Method Calculated By: Date:

Address: Anywhere USA Company: ParkUSA Ref. No:

Background:
International Plumbing Code (IPC) does not specify a sizing method for Gravity Grease Interceptors. This allows
the design engineer to utilize a Best Management Practice (BMP) for a job-specific plan. The most widely used
sizing method for gravity interceptors is the Seating or Meals Sizing Method. The system is based on years of
field performance testing with methods utilizing the relationship of probable flow rate and retention time to
estimate sizing for a particular project.
Instructions:
Follow the steps to determine grease interceptor size.
Note: All User Input Information is in RED

Number of Meals Per Waste Flow Retention Interceptor Size

Peak Hours Rate Time Storage Factor (calculated)

298 X 5 X 1.5 X 1.5 = 3,354

Step #1 Step #2 Step #3 Step #4 Step #5

Recommended Minimum Size Grease Interceptor

Based on Park Environmental Model or Equal
GT- 3400
Step #6
Notes:
Number of Meals Per Peak Hour
Recommended Formula:
Number of
Seating Capacity or
X Meal Factor = Meals Per
Number of Persons
Peak Hour

1
445 X 0.67 = 298
Enter Seating Capacity
Establishment Type Min Per Meal Meal Factor
Fast Food 45 1.33
Restaurant 60 1.00
Leisure Dining 90 0.67
Cafeteria / Hospital 120 0.50
Church / Assembly Hall 150 0.40
Notes:
Waste Flow Rate
Condition: Flow Rate

2
a. With a Dishwashing Machine 6 Gallon Flow
b. Without Dishwashing Machine 5 Gallon Flow
c. Single Service Kitchen 2 Gallon Flow
d. Food Waste Disposer Only 1 Gallon Flow

Notes:
Retention Time

3
Commercial Kitchen Waste
Dishwasher 2.5 Hours
Single Service Kitchen
Single Serving 1.5 Hours

Notes:
Storage Factor
Kitchen Type Storage Factor
a. Fully Equipped Commercial Kitchen
Hours of Operation

4
4 Hours 0.5
8 Hours 1
12 Hours 1.5
16 Hours 2
24 Hours 3

b. Single Service Kitchen 1.5

Notes:
Calculate Liquid Capacity

5
Multiply the values obtained from step #1, #2, #3, and #4.
The result is the approximate grease interceptor for this
application

Notes:
Select Grease Interceptor

6
Using the approximate required liquid capacity from step #5,
select an appropriate size as recommended by the manufacturer.

Disclaimer:
This program is designed for the easy selection of grease Interceptors. Check with the local plumbing authority for specific requirements. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is given with respect to the
accuracy or sufficiency of the information provided hereby, and the user must assume all risks and responsibility in connection with the use therefore. Please contact Park if any errors are found in this
worksheet.
Published by Park Environmental Equipment Tel 888-611-PARK WWW.PARKUSA.COM ©2009
Seat EFS Example standard Seating

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For Grease Interceptors

Gravity Grease Interceptor Sizing Worksheet Expert-Design ver 1.1 UPC-2012

Project: Sample Drainage Fixture Unit (DFUs) - Typical BBQ Restaurant
Location: Anywhere USA utilizing UPC (always check city amendments)
Engineer (or Name): Engineer designing to 2006, 2009 or 2012 IAPMO, UPC, Plumbing Codes
Firm:
Date:
Trap Arm Other Factors
Fixture Type Fixture Units FU Quantity Extended
Size (if applicable)
3-Compartment Sink - 1.5" arm 1-1/2" 3 0 0
3-Compartment Sink - 2" arm 2" 4 1 4
2-Compartment Sink - 1.5" arm 1-1/2" 3 0 0
Dishwasher 2" 4 0 0
Mop Sink 1-1/2" 3 0 0
Mop Sink 2" 4 0 0
Mop Sink 3" 6 0 0
Pot Sink (pre-rinse sink) 1-1/2"" 3 0 0
Pot Sink (pre-rinse sink) 2" 4 1 4
Hand Sink 1-1/4" 2 0 0
Hand Sink 1-1/2" 3 2 6
Floor Drain - 2" 2" 4 0 0
Floor Drain - 3" 3" 6 4 24
Floor Sink (Drain) - 2" 2" 4 0 0
Floor Sink (Drain) - 3" 3" 6 12 72
Trench Drain 4' 4 0 0
Other 0 0
Other 0 0
Total Fixture Units 110
®

GreaseTrooper Size (see Chart Below) GT - 1500

City of Houston Gravity Grease Interceptor Sizing (2009 UPC)

DFUs (1, 3) Interceptor Volume (2) Park Model
8 500 gallons GT - 500
21 750 gallons GT - 750
35 1,000 gallons GT - 1000
90 1,250 gallons GT - 1250
172 1,500 gallons GT - 1500
216 2,000 gallons GT - 2000
307 2,500 gallons GT - 2500
342 3,000 gallons GT - 3000
428 4,000 gallons GT - 4000
576 5,000 gallons GT - 5000
720 7,500 gallons GT - 8000
2112 10,000 gallons GT - 10000
2640 15,000 gallons GT - 15000
Notes:
1. The maximum allowable DFUs plumbed to the kitchen drain lines that will be connected to the grease interceptor.
2. This size is based on: the DFUs the pipe size from this code; Table 7-5; Useful Tables for flow in half-full pipes (ref: Mohinder Nayyar Piping Handbook,
3rd Edition, 1992). Based on 30-minute retention time (ref.: George Tchobanoglous and Metcalf & Eddy. Wastewater Engineering Treatment, Disposal and Reuse,
3rd Ed. 1991 & Ronald Crites and George Tchobanoglous. Small and Decentralized Wastewater Management Systems, 1998). Rounded up to nominal
interceptor volume.
3. When the flow rate of directly connected fixture(s) or applicance(s) have no assigned DFU values, the additional grease interceptor volume shall be based
on the known flow rate (gpm) multiplied by 30 minutes.
4. Contact ParkUSA for grease interceptor dimensional and installation information @ 888-611-PARK www.ParkUSA.com
Published by Park Environmental Equipment Tel 888-611-PARK WWW.PARKUSA.COM ©2011

DFU EFS Example Page 1

Need more information? www.parkusa.com

visit greasetrooper.parkusa.com Toll Free 888-611-7275

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