Whether you’re starting a catering business, opening a café, or fitting out a school tuckshop, each requires special plumbing to meet the standards for commercial kitchens.
Beyond meeting these standards, the way a kitchen is designed can also improve efficiency and workflow. A commercial plumber in Brisbane can guide you through each stage of the process. To help you prepare, here are some key plumbing considerations to keep in mind when setting up a commercial kitchen.
Hygiene And Safety
Hygiene and safety are essential in every commercial kitchen. Wet floors are a major risk, so non-slip flooring, floor drains, and other kitchen drainage solutions are often needed to keep the area safe and dry.
Commercial kitchens must also provide hand-washing basins that are separate from food preparation and dishwashing sinks. For safety, the hot water at hand-washing stations is tempered (cooled to a safe level), while preparation areas require hotter water. A qualified plumber will also ensure that sinks and other kitchen equipment meet these important requirements.
Dealing With Grease
If your commercial kitchen prepares or serves hot food, you must have a system to manage waste. This type of waste contains higher levels of grease than ordinary kitchen water.
To meet standards, traps must be installed as part of the plumbing system. These traps collect waste before the water enters the drain. In most cases, gravity will carry the it away, but in some buildings a pump is needed to move it through the system.
Grease traps must be cleaned and emptied regularly to prevent blockages, overflows, and unpleasant odours. It’s also important to note that these traps are designed only for greasy water, cooking fats and oils should never be poured directly down the drain.
Backflow Prevention
Commercial kitchens require backflow prevention devices to protect the clean drinking water supply from contamination. For example, if a hose is left in a grease trap, there is a risk that dirty water could be siphoned back through the hose. Backflow devices eliminate this risk by allowing it to flow in only one direction.
These devices must be installed on hose taps, near grease traps, and on dishwashers. Only plumbers accredited in backflow testing are qualified to install, test, and maintain them. Engaging with plumbers in Brisbane ensures these important safeguards are in place.
Choosing Fixtures And Fittings
Commercial plumbing involves more than pipes alone. The type of kitchen drains used can greatly improve efficiency during food preparation and cleaning. Options such as spray hoses, pot filler taps, lever taps, and infrared sensor taps are specifically designed for ease of use in a commercial setting. While these fittings are generally more expensive, they are built for durability and everyday use.
Commercial sinks and preparation benches are typically stainless steel with seamless finishes to allow for easier cleaning. Sinks must also be large enough to fully submerge all cooking equipment. A qualified plumber in Brisbane can recommend the most suitable fixtures and fittings for your kitchen plumbing.
Compulsory Requirements For Kitchen Plumbing
Designing a commercial kitchen in Australia must follow strict regulations and standards. These include local building regulations, plumbing requirements, council sewer requirements, and rules that may differ depending on whether the kitchen is part of a school, hospital, or workplace. In most cases, a grease trap is required.
Plumbing regulations usually state that grease traps must be connected to fixtures that produce greasy waste. This means waste from prep sinks, mop basins, and floor drains is directed through the trap to keep the plumbing system safe and compliant.
Health departments also set key requirements for commercial kitchens. These may include dishwashers that reach at least 60°C, the use of triple-compartment sinks, proper floor drainage, at least one hand-washing basin, and mop basins. To make sure all requirements are met, these systems must be installed and maintained by a licensed plumber.
Grease Traps And Dealing With Trade Waste
Commercial kitchens that cook or serve hot food must have a system to manage “trade waste.” This type of waste contains far more grease than water from household kitchens.
To meet requirements, traps are installed as part of the plumbing system to capture grease and food particles before the water enters the drain. In most cases, gravity will carry the waste water away, but in some buildings a pump is required to move it through the system.
Traps must be cleaned and emptied regularly to prevent overflows and unpleasant odours. It is important to note that traps are designed only for greasy water, cooking fats and oils should never be poured directly down the sink.
What A Commercial Plumber Should Actually Do
Whether you operate a restaurant, café, bar, school kitchen, or aged care facility, you need expert plumbing that does more than repair leaks. At Crew Plumbing, we provide:
- Commercial sink and dishwasher installation
- Grease trap installation, cleaning, and maintenance
- Gas fitting for ovens, fryers, cooktops, and grills
- Hot water system installation, servicing, and upgrades
- Backflow prevention testing and certification
- Scheduled maintenance to keep your kitchen operating smoothly
- 24/7 emergency plumbing support
We also work closely with commercial kitchen designers and shopfitters to ensure your plumbing design supports the overall layout and workflow of your kitchen.
Pro Tips For Keeping Your Commercial Kitchen Flowing
Here are a few important tips to help prevent plumbing issues:
- Schedule regular drain cleaning to avoid blockages
- Inspect your grease trap each week to ensure it’s working properly
- Have gas appliances serviced annually for safety and efficiency
- Address slow drains early before they turn into major problems
Ready To Call In Real Commercial Kitchen Expert Plumbing?
We’re not your typical plumbers. Our team arrives on time, cleans up after the job, and always returns your calls.
With years of experience, we’ve provided plumbing services for:
- Cafés and restaurants across Brisbane.
- Shopping centre food courts
- Aged care facilities and school canteens
- Commercial catering kitchens
- Local and State Government facilities
Whether you’re opening a new restaurant or maintaining an existing café, Crew Plumbing has the knowledge, experience, and equipment to support you. We don’t just repair problems, we help prevent them. Contact us today before your next plumbing issue interrupts service.
