CHAPTER 10

TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS

1001.0 Traps Required. thirty-five (135) degrees (2.36 rad) without the
1001.1 Each plumbing fixture, excepting those use of a cleanout.
having integral traps or as permitted in Section 1002.4 The vent pipe opening from a soil or waste
1001.2, shall be separately trapped by an approved pipe, except for water closets and similar fixtures,
type of waterseal trap. Not more than one (1) trap shall not be below the weir of the trap.
shall be permitted on a trap arm.
1001.2 One (1) trap may serve a set of not more than TABLE 10-1
Horizontal Distance of Trap Arms
three (3) single compartment sinks or laundry tubs of

(Except for water closets and similar fixtures)*

the same depth or three (3) lavatories immediately
adjacent to each other and in the same room if the
waste outlets are not more than thirty (30) inches Distance Distance
Trap Arm Trap to Vent Trap Arm Trap to Vent
Inches Feet Inches mm mm
(762 mm) apart and the trap is centrally located
when three (3) compartments are installed.
1001.3 No food waste disposal unit shall be installed 1-1/4 2 6 32 762
with any set of restaurant, commercial, or industrial 1-1/2 3 6 40 1067
sinks served by a single trap; each such food waste 2 5 0 50 1524
disposal unit shall be connected to a separate trap.
3 6 0 80 1829
Each domestic clothes washer and each laundry tub
shall be connected to a separate and independent 4 & larger 10 0 100 & larger 3048
trap, except that a trap serving a laundry tub may Slope one-fourth (1/4) inch per foot (20.9 mm/m)
also receive the waste from a clothes washer set
*The developed length between the trap of a water closet or
adjacent thereto. No clothes washer or laundry tub similar fixture (measured from the top of the closet ring [closet
shall be connected to any trap for a kitchen sink.
1001.4 The vertical distance between a fixture outlet
flange] to the inner edge of the vent) and its vent shall not
exceed six (6) feet (1829 mm).
and the trap weir shall be as short as practicable, but
in no case shall the tailpiece from any fixture exceed 1003.0 Traps — Described.
twenty-four (24) inches (610 mm) in length. 1003.1 Each trap, except for traps within an
interceptor or similar device, shall be self-cleaning.
1002.0 Traps Protected by Vent Pipes. Traps for bathtubs, showers, lavatories, sinks,
1002.1 Each plumbing fixture trap, except as
laundry tubs, floor drains, urinals, drinking
fountains, dental units, and similar fixtures shall be
otherwise provided in this code, shall be protected
of standard design and weight and shall be of ABS,
against siphonage and back-pressure, and air cast brass, cast iron, lead, PP, PVC, or other
circulation shall be assured throughout all parts of approved material. An exposed and readily
the drainage system by means of a vent pipe installed accessible drawn-brass tubing trap, not less than 17
in accordance with the requirements of this code.
1002.2 Each fixture trap shall have a protecting vent so
B&S Gauge (0.045 inch) (1.1 mm), may be used on
fixtures discharging domestic sewage.
located that the developed length of the trap arm from Exception: Drawn-brass tubing traps shall not
the trap weir to the inner edge of the vent shall be be used for urinals. Each trap shall have the
within the distance given in Table 10-1, but in no case manufacturer's name stamped legibly in the
less than two (2) times the diameter of the trap arm. metal of the trap, and each tubing trap shall
1002.3 A trap arm may change direction without the have the gauge of the tubing in addition to the
use of a cleanout when such change of direction does manufacturer's name. Every trap shall have a
smooth and uniform interior waterway.
1003.2 No more than one (1) approved slip joint
not exceed ninety (90) degrees (1.6 rad). All
horizontal changes in direction of trap arms shall
comply with Section 706.3. fitting may be used on the outlet side of a trap, and
no tubing trap shall be installed without a listed
Exception: For trap arms three (3) inches (80
tubing trap adapter. Listed plastic trap adapters may
mm) in diameter and larger, the change of
be used to connect listed metal tubing traps.
1003.3 The size (nominal diameter) of a trap for a
direction shall not exceed one hundred and

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1003.3 – 1011.0 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

given fixture shall be sufficient to drain the fixture Separators.

rapidly, but in no case less than nor more than one 1009.1 When Required. Interceptors (clarifiers)
(1) pipe size larger than given in Table 7-3. The (including grease, oil, sand interceptors [clarifiers],
trap shall be the same size as the trap arm to which etc.) shall be required by the Authority Having
it is connected. Jurisdiction when they are necessary for the proper
handling of liquid wastes containing grease,

1004.0 Traps — Prohibited.

flammable wastes, sand, solids, acid or alkaline
substances, or other ingredients harmful to the
No form of trap that depends for its seal upon the action building drainage system, the public or private
sewer, or to public or private sewage disposal.
1009.2 Approval. The size, type, and location of each
of movable parts shall be used. No trap that has
concealed interior partitions, except those of plastic,
glass, or similar corrosion-resisting material, shall be interceptor (clarifier) or separator shall be approved
used. "S" traps, bell traps, and crown-vented traps shall by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Except where
be prohibited. No fixture shall be double trapped. Drum otherwise specifically permitted, no wastes other
and bottle traps shall be installed only for special than those requiring treatment or separation shall be
discharged into any interceptor (clarifier).
1009.3 Design. Interceptors (clarifiers) for sand and
conditions. No trap shall be installed without a vent,
except as otherwise provided in this code.
similar heavy solids shall be so designed and located
1005.0 Trap Seals.
as to be readily accessible for cleaning and shall have
a water seal of not less than six (6) inches (152 mm).
Each fixture trap shall have a water seal of not less 1009.4 Relief Vent. Interceptors (clarifiers) shall be
than two (2) inches (51 mm) and not more than four so designed that they will not become air-bound if
(4) inches (102 mm), except where a deeper seal is closed covers are used. Each interceptor (clarifier)
found necessary by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. shall be properly vented.
Traps shall be set true with respect to their water 1009.5 Location. Each interceptor (clarifier) cover
seals and, where necessary, they shall be protected shall be readily accessible for servicing and
from freezing. maintaining the interceptor (clarifier) in working and
operating condition. The use of ladders or the
1006.0 Floor Drain Traps. removal of bulky equipment in order to service
interceptors (clarifiers) shall constitute a violation of
Floor drains shall connect into a trap so constructed accessibility. Location of all interceptors (clarifiers)
that it can be readily cleaned and of a size to serve shall be shown on the approved building plan.
1009.6 Maintenance of Interceptors. Interceptors
efficiently the purpose for which it is intended. The
drain inlet shall be so located that it is at all times in shall be maintained in efficient operating condition
full view. When subject to reverse flow of sewage or by periodic removal of accumulated grease, scum,
liquid waste, such drains shall be equipped with an oil, or other floating substances and solids deposited
approved backwater valve. in the interceptor.
1009.7 Discharge. The waste pipe from oil and sand
1007.0 Trap Seal Protection. interceptors shall discharge as approved by the
Floor drain or similar traps directly connected to the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

1010.0 Slaughterhouses, Packing Establishments, etc.

drainage system and subject to infrequent use shall
be protected with a trap seal primer, except where
not deemed necessary for safety or sanitation by the Every fish, fowl, and animal slaughterhouse or
Authority Having Jurisdiction. Trap seal primers establishment; every fish, fowl, and meat packing or
shall be accessible for maintenance. curing establishment; every soap factory, tallow-

1008.0 Building Traps.

rendering, fat-rendering, and hide-curing establish-
ment shall be connected to and shall drain or
Building traps shall not be installed except where discharge into an approved grease interceptor
required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Each (clarifier).

1011.0 Minimum Requirements for Auto Wash Racks.

building trap when installed shall be provided with
a cleanout and with a relieving vent or fresh-air
intake on the inlet side of the trap, which need not be Every private or public wash rack and/or floor or slab
larger than one-half the diameter of the drain to used for cleaning machinery or machine parts shall be
which it connects. Such relieving vent or fresh-air adequately protected against storm or surface water
intake shall be carried above grade and terminate in and shall drain or discharge into an approved
a screened outlet located outside the building.
1009.0 Industrial Interceptors (Clarifiers) and
interceptor (clarifier).

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TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS 1012.0 – 1014.2

1012.0 Commercial and Industrial Laundries. be connected to or discharge into any grease
Laundry equipment in commercial and industrial interceptor. Commercial food waste disposers
buildings that does not have integral strainers shall shall be permitted to discharge directly into the
discharge into an interceptor having a wire basket or building’s drainage system.
similar device that is removable for cleaning and that 1014.2 Hydromechanical Grease Interceptors.
1014.2.1 Each plumbing fixture or piece of
will prevent passage into the drainage system of
solids one-half (1/2) inch (12.7 mm) or larger in
equipment connected to a hydromechanical grease
maximum dimension, such as string, rags, buttons, interceptor shall be provided with an approved
or other solid materials detrimental to the public type of vented flow control installed in a readily
sewerage system. accessible and visible location. Flow control devices
shall be designed and installed so that the total flow
1013.0 Bottling Establishments. Bottling plants through such device or devices shall at no time be
shall discharge their process wastes into an greater than the rated flow of the grease
interceptor that will provide for the separation of interceptor. No flow-control device having
broken glass or other solids, before discharging adjustable or removable parts shall be approved.
liquid wastes into the drainage system. The vented flow-control device shall be located
such that no system vent shall be between the flow-

1014.0 Grease Interceptors.

control and the grease trap inlet. The vent or air

1014.1 Where it is determined by the Authority

inlet of the flow-control device shall connect with
the sanitary drainage vent system, as elsewhere
Having Jurisdiction that waste pretreatment is required by this code, or shall terminate through
required, an approved type of grease interceptor(s) the roof of the building, and shall not terminate to
complying with the provisions of this section shall be the free atmosphere inside the building.
correctly sized and properly installed in grease waste Exception: Listed grease interceptors with
line(s) leading from sinks and drains, such as floor integral flow controls or restricting devices
drains and floor sinks and other fixtures or shall be installed in an accessible location in
equipment in serving establishments such as accordance with the manufacturers’
restaurants, cafes, lunch counters, cafeterias, bars instructions.
and clubs, hotels, hospitals, sanitariums, factory or 1014.2.2 The total capacity in gallons (L) of
school kitchens, or other establishments where fixtures discharging into any hydromechanical
grease may be introduced into the drainage or grease interceptor shall not exceed two and one-
sewage system in quantities that can effect line half (2-1/2) times the certified GPM (L/s) flow
stoppage or hinder sewage treatment or private rate of the interceptor as per Table 10-2.
sewage disposal. A grease interceptor shall not be
For the purpose of this section, the term
required for individual dwelling units or for any
“fixture” shall mean and include each plumbing
private living quarters. Water closets, urinals, and
fixture, appliance, apparatus, or other equipment
other plumbing fixtures conveying human waste
required to be connected to or discharged into a
shall not drain into or through the grease interceptor.
1014.1.1 Each fixture discharging into a grease
grease interceptor by any provision of this
section.
1014.2.3 A vent shall be installed downstream
interceptor shall be individually trapped and
vented in an approved manner.
1014.1.2 All grease interceptors shall be
of hydromechanical grease interceptors in
accordance with the requirements of this code.
maintained in efficient operating condition by
periodic removal of the accumulated grease and
latent material. No such collected grease shall be
introduced into any drainage piping or public or
private sewer. If the Authority Having Jurisdic-
tion determines that a grease interceptor is not
being properly cleaned or maintained, the
Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have the
authority to mandate the installation of addi-
tional equipment or devices and to mandate a
maintenance program.
1014.1.3 Food Waste Disposal Units and
Dishwashers.Unless specifically required or
permitted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction,
no food waste disposal unit or dishwasher shall

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Table 10-2 – 1015.1 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

Table 10-2 so installed and connected that it shall be

Hydromechanical Grease Interceptor (HGI) at all times easily accessible for inspection,
Sizing Chart*
cleaning, and removal of the intercepted

DFU HGI FLow (gpm)

grease. A gravity grease interceptor
complying with IAPMO PS 80, shall not be
8 20 installed in any part of a building where
10 25 food is handled. Location of the grease
13 35 interceptor shall meet the approval of the
Authority Having Jurisdiction.
1014.3.4.2 Interceptors shall be placed as
20 50
35 75
close as practical to the fixtures they serve.
1014.3.4.3 Each business establishment for
172 100
216 150
which a gravity grease interceptor is
342 200 required shall have an interceptor which
428 250 shall serve only that establishment unless
576 350 otherwise approved by the Authority
Having Jurisdiction.
1014.3.4.4 Each gravity grease interceptor
720 500

shall be located so as to be readily accessible

*Based on intermittent potentially full flow in to the equipment required for maintenance.
1014.3.5 Construction Requirements.
drainage lines.

1014.3.5.1 Purpose. Gravity grease

1014.3 Gravity Grease Interceptors. Required
interceptors shall be designed to remove
gravity grease interceptors shall comply with the
grease from effluent and shall be sized in
provisions of Sections 1014.3.1 through 1014.3.7.
1014.3.1 General.
accordance with this section. Gravity grease
interceptors shall also be designed to retain
The provisions of this section shall apply to the grease until accumulations can be removed by
design, construction, installation, and testing of pumping the interceptor. It is recommended
commercial kitchen gravity grease interceptors.
1014.3.2 Waste Discharge Requirements.
that a sample box be located at the outlet end
of all gravity grease interceptors so that the
1014.3.2.1 Waste discharge in establishments Authority Having Jurisdiction can periodi-
cally sample effluent quality.
1014.3.6 Sizing Criteria.
from fixtures and equipment which may
contain grease, including but not limited to,
1014.3.6.1 Sizing. The volume of the
scullery sinks, pot and pan sinks, dishwashers,
soup kettles, and floor drains located in areas
interceptor shall be determined by using
where grease-containing materials may exist,
Table 10-3. If drainage fixture units (DFUs)
may be drained into the sanitary waste
are not known, the interceptor shall be sized
through the interceptor when approved by the
based on the maximum DFUs allowed for the
Authority Having Jurisdiction.
1014.3.2.2 Toilets, urinals, and other
pipe size connected to the inlet of the
interceptor. Refer to Table 7-5, Drainage
similar fixtures shall not drain through the Piping, Horizontal.
1014.3.7 Abandoned Gravity Grease Intercep-
interceptor.
1014.3.2.3 All waste shall enter the
tors. Abandoned grease interceptors shall be
interceptor through the inlet pipe only.
1014.3.3 Design.
pumped and filled as required for abandoned

1014.3.3.1 Gravity Interceptors shall be

sewers and sewage disposal facilities in Section
722.0.
constructed in accordance with the
1015.0 FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases) Disposal
applicable standard in Table 14-1 or the
System.
design approved by the Authority Having

1015.1 Purpose.
Jurisdiction.
1014.3.4 Location.
1014.3.4.1 Each grease interceptor shall be
The purpose of this section is to provide the necessary
criteria for the sizing, application, and installation of

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TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS Table 10-3 – 1016.2

Table 10-3
Gravity Grease Interceptor Sizing

DFUs (1) Interceptor Volume (2)

8 500 gallons
21 (3) 750 gallons
35 1,000 gallons
90 (3) 1,250 gallons
172 1,500 gallons
216 2,000 gallons
307 (3) 2,500 gallons
342 3,000 gallons
428 4,000 gallons
576 5,000 gallons
720 7,500 gallons
2112 10,000 gallons
2640 15,000 gallons
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).
(3) Based on 30-minute retention time (ref.: Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. Small and Decentralized Wastewater Management Systems, 3rd Ed. 1998). Rounded up
to nominal interceptor volume.

FOG disposal systems designated as a pretreatment or maximum discharge flow rate of 20 gpm discharging into a
discharge water quality compliance strategy. dedicated receptor; and two public restrooms, each with one

1015.2 Scope.
water closet and one lavatory.

FOG disposal systems shall be considered engineered

Kitchen Drain Line DFU Count (from Table 7-3):
systems and shall comply with the requirements of
section 301.2 of this code.
1015.3 Components, Materials, and Equipment.
3 floor drains @ 2 DFUs each = 6 DFUs
Mop sink @ 3 DFUs each = 3 DFUs
FOG disposal systems, including all components,
Food prep sink @ 3 DFUs each = 3 DFUs
materials, and equipment necessary for the proper
function of the system, shall comply with sections Dishwasher @ 4 DFUs (Table 7-4) = 4 DFUs
301.1.3 or 301.2 of this code. Total 16 DFUs
1015.4 Sizing Application and Installation.
Using Table 10-3, the grease interceptor will be sized at 750
FOG disposal systems shall be engineered, sized,
gallons.
and installed in accordance with the manufacturers’

1016.0 Sand Interceptors.

specifications and as specified in IAPMO PS 118-

1016.1 Where Required.

2000, as listed in Chapter 14, Table 14-1 of this code.
1015.5 Performance.
FOG disposal systems shall be tested and certified as 1016.1.1 Whenever the discharge of a fixture or
described in IAPMO PS 118-2000, as listed in drain may contain solids or semi-solids heavier
Chapter 14, Table 14-1 of this code, and other than water that would be harmful to a drainage
national consensus standards applicable to FOG system or cause a stoppage within the system,
disposal systems as discharging no more than the discharge shall be through a sand interceptor.
100mg/L FOG. Multiple floor drains may discharge into one
sand interceptor.
1016.1.2 Sand interceptors are required when-
Gravity Grease Interceptor Sizing Example: ever the Authority Having Jurisdiction deems it
Given: A restaurant with the following fixtures and advisable to have a sand interceptor to protect
equipment. the drainage system.
one food preparation sink; three floor drains - one in the food 1016.2 Construction and Size.
prep area, one in the grill area, and one receiving the indirect Sand interceptors shall be built of brick or concrete,
waste from the ice machine; a mop sink; a dishwasher with a prefabricated coated steel, or other watertight material.

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1016.2 – 1017.2 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

The interceptor shall have an interior baffle for full cleanout to grade. When an interceptor is provided
separation of the interceptor into two (2) sections. The with an overflow, it shall be provided with an overflow
outlet pipe shall be the same size as the inlet pipe of the line (not less than two (2) inches (50 mm) in diameter)
sand interceptor, the minimum being three (3) inches to an approved waste oil tank having a minimum
(80 mm), and the baffle shall have two (2) openings of capacity of five hundred fifty (550) gallons (2,080 L)
the same diameter as the outlet pipe and at the same and meeting the requirements of the Authority Having
invert as the outlet pipe. These openings shall be Jurisdiction. The waste oil from the separator shall flow
staggered so that there cannot be a straight line flow by gravity or shall be pumped to a higher elevation by
between any inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The invert an automatic pump. Pumps shall be adequately sized
of the inlet pipe shall be no lower than the invert of the and accessible. Waste oil tanks shall have a two (2) inch
outlet pipe. (50 mm) minimum pump-out connection at grade and
The sand interceptor shall have a minimum a one and one-half (1-1/2) inch (40 mm) minimum vent
dimension of two (2) feet square (0.2 m2) for the net free to atmosphere at an approved location at least ten (10)
opening of the inlet section and a minimum depth under feet (3,048 mm) above grade.
the invert of the outlet pipe of two (2) feet (610 mm). 1017.2 Design of Interceptors. Each manufactured
For each five (5) gallons (18.9 L) per minute flow interceptor that is rated shall be stamped or labeled
or fraction thereof over twenty (20) gallons (75.7 L) by the manufacturer with an indication of its full
per minute, the area of the sand interceptor inlet discharge rate in gpm (L/s). The full discharge rate to
section is to be increased by one (1) square foot (0.09 such an interceptor shall be determined at full flow.
m 2). The outlet section shall at all times have a Each interceptor shall be rated equal to or greater
minimum area of fifty (50) percent of the inlet section. than the incoming flow and shall be provided with an
The outlet section shall be covered by a solid overflow line to an underground tank.
removable cover, set flush with the finished floor, Interceptors not rated by the manufacturer shall
and the inlet section shall have an open grating, set have a depth of not less than two (2) feet (610 mm)
flush with the finished floor and suitable for the below the invert of the discharge drain. The outlet
traffic in the area in which it is located.
1016.3 Separate Use. Sand and similar interceptors for
opening shall have not less than an eighteen (18) inch
(457 mm) water seal and shall have a minimum
every solid shall be so designed and located as to be capacity as follows: where not more than three (3)
readily accessible for cleaning, shall have a water seal of motor vehicles are serviced and/or stored, interceptors
not less than six (6) inches (152 mm), and shall be vented. shall have a minimum capacity of six (6) cubic feet (0.2

1017.0 Oil and Flammable Liquid Interceptors.

m3), and one (1) cubic foot (0.03 m3) of capacity shall be
added for each vehicle up to ten (10) vehicles. Above ten
1017.1 Interceptors Required. All repair garages (10) vehicles, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall
and gasoline stations with grease racks or grease determine the size of the interceptor required. Where
pits, and all factories that have oily, flammable, or vehicles are serviced only and not stored, interceptor
both types of wastes as a result of manufacturing, capacity shall be based on a net capacity of one (1) cubic
storage, maintenance, repair, or testing processes, foot (0.03 m3) for each one hundred (100) square feet (9.3
shall be provided with an oil or flammable liquid m2) of surface to be drained into the interceptor, with a
interceptor that shall be connected to all necessary minimum of six (6) cubic feet (0.2 m3).
floor drains. The separation or vapor compartment
shall be independently vented to the outer air. If two
(2) or more separation or vapor compartments are
used, each shall be vented to the outer air or may
connect to a header that is installed at a minimum of six
(6) inches (152 mm) above the spill line of the lowest
floor drain and vented independently to the outer air.
The minimum size of a flammable vapor vent shall not
be less than two (2) inches (50 mm), and, when vented
through a sidewall, the vent shall not be less than ten
(10) feet (3048 mm) above the adjacent level at an
approved location. The interceptor shall be vented on
the sewer side and shall not connect to a flammable
vapor vent. All oil and flammable interceptors shall be
provided with gastight cleanout covers that shall be
readily accessible. The waste line shall not be less than
three (3) inches (80 mm) in diameter with a full-size

136