Not every tenancy fit-out revolves around a kitchen or a wash bay. A retail banking tenancy at an Ipswich shopping centre needed a compact, precise plumbing scope instead. It was a small job, but it still had to be done right inside a busy, working centre.

So the tenant brought in Citi Industries to handle the plumbing fit-out. The brief was tight: concrete works, new sewer drainage and a water point ready for the future.

Project Overview

This shopping centre plumbing fit-out focused on drainage and a capped water connection. Because the tenancy was a bank rather than a food outlet, no trade waste or grease trap was involved. Therefore, the scope stayed lean and targeted.

The team cut and reinstated concrete, laid new sewer drainage and roughed in cold water. They also left a capped valve in the ceiling space, so a future connection won’t need fresh excavation.

Key scope items included:

• Concrete scanning, cutting, removal and replacement within the tenancy
• Reinstatement finished flush to the current shop’s surface level
• New sewer drainage laid to suit the tenancy layout
• Cold water rough-in through the space
• One 20mm valve left capped in the ceiling space for future connection

Challenges

Working inside an operating shopping centre sets the tone for every task. The tenancy sat among trading neighbours, so the works had to stay clean and contained. As a result, concrete cutting and reinstatement needed a finish flush with the existing shop floor.

Precision mattered more than volume on this job. Scanning the slab first revealed what ran beneath, which guided a safe cut because hidden services can sit below any centre floor, this step protected both the building and the schedule.

The last part of the job was setting things up for later. Rather than connect the water immediately, the brief called for a capped point ready to go. This foresight followed Queensland regulated plumbing work requirements while leaving room for later works.

Key constraints on this project:

• Work sat inside an operating centre, so it had to stay clean and contained
• Concrete reinstatement had to finish flush with the current shop surface
• Slab scanning was needed before any cutting to protect buried services
• A capped water valve had to be left accessible in the ceiling space
• All plumbing had to meet standards despite the compact scope

Solutions

Citi Industries delivered the scope in a clean, ordered sequence. Each stage below suited a small job in a live centre.

Scanning and Concrete Works

To begin, the crew scanned the slab to map any services below it. With the ground confirmed, they cut and removed the concrete where the new drainage would run. This careful start kept the cut safe in a shared building.

Our commercial plumbing services always open with scanning on centre fit-outs. Guesswork near a live slab simply is not worth the risk.

Laying the New Sewer Drainage

Next, the team laid the new sewer drainage to suit the tenancy plan. Correct fall was the priority, since drainage only works when gravity carries the flow away. Consequently, the crew set each length to a clean, consistent gradient.

Once the drainage was in, they reinstated the concrete flush to the shop’s surface level. That finish left no trip hazard and no sign of the works.

Cold Water Rough-in and Future Connection

Finally, the crew roughed in the cold water through the space. Instead of making a live connection, they left one 20mm valve capped in the ceiling space. This capped point lets a future fit-out connect water without reopening finished work.

Leaving that provision is a small step with a big payoff for the next stage. Our industrial drainage solutions often build in this kind of foresight.

Final Outcome

A compact brief became a clean, future-ready plumbing fit-out. Citi Industries completed the Ipswich works in December 2025 without disrupting the centre around it. As a result, the tenancy held new drainage and a water point awaiting its next stage.

• Concrete cut and reinstated flush to the current shop surface
• New sewer drainage laid to a correct, consistent fall
• Cold water roughed in through the space
• A 20mm valve left capped in the ceiling for easy future connection

The work met plumbing compliance and standards Australia, the tenancy held infrastructure ready for whatever follows. The flush finish left the shop floor safe and tidy. 

Final Thoughts

Small plumbing scopes still reward careful planning. A capped valve or a flush reinstatement seems minor, yet each saves cost and disruption later. However, that value only appears when the work is done to standard the first time.

Citi Industries treats compact fit-outs with the same rigour as major builds. Because of that, tenants avoid rework when the next stage arrives. The team scans first, lays the drainage to the right fall and leaves clean provisions for the future.

If your tenancy needs a precise, standards-based plumbing fit-out, the team can help. Talk to our commercial team and we will scope the drainage and water works to suit your space.

Call Citi Industries on 1300 002 484 to discuss your project.

A commercial food service business in Acacia Ridge needed a full grease trap installation before its new kitchen could open. The tenancy had no trade waste drainage and no interceptor tank in place. Without that infrastructure, the kitchen could not discharge legally, so trading could not begin.

As a result, the business engaged Citi Industries to deliver the grease trap installation on a do and charge basis. The brief covered below-ground works, internal drainage, and a complete plumbing fit-out. Because the unit sat within an active industrial complex, the team planned each stage around pedestrian safety.

Project Overview

This grease trap installation in Acacia Ridge involved a full commercial kitchen fit-out within an existing tenancy. Consequently, the scope required significant groundwork. This included concrete scanning, cutting, excavation, and full slab reinstatement once the tank was set.

The team installed a below ground grease trap rated for vehicle loading. Furthermore, both the tank and the new trade waste line were vented to the atmosphere. The new drainage then ran inside the tenancy to connect every kitchen fixture as per the plan.

Key scope items included:

• 1,000-litre below ground grease trap with a Class D vehicular traffic lid
• Concrete scanning, cutting, removal, and replacement for all groundworks
• Trade waste drainage installed as per the hydraulic plan
• Vents run to atmosphere for both the tank and the new trade waste line
• New trade waste line extended inside the tenancy to connect all fixtures
• One RPZD backflow valve fitted on the closest hosetap
• Two bucket traps installed in the commercial kitchen
• Barricading of the affected area for pedestrian safety

Challenges

Commercial kitchens in Queensland must meet trade waste requirements before any sewer connection is approved. Under Urban Utilities trade waste guidelines, this means a correctly sized grease trap and compliant drainage. Without approval, the kitchen cannot open.

This site added complexity beyond the standard compliance path. For instance, the grease trap sat in an area open to vehicle movement. Therefore, the tank needed a Class D lid rated for traffic loads. A lighter lid would fail under a vehicle, which would create a safety hazard.

Concrete scanning came first, before any cutting or excavation began. Because hidden services can sit below a slab, the team mapped them in advance. Meanwhile, the unit formed part of a busy complex, so barricading protected pedestrians throughout the works.

Key constraints on this project:

• Vehicle-accessible location required a Class D lid on the below ground grease trap
• Concrete scanning was completed before any cutting or excavation started
• Both the tank and the trade waste line needed independent venting to atmosphere
• Active pedestrian traffic meant full barricading stayed in place during the works
• The new RPZD valve had to protect the potable supply from cross connection

Solutions

Citi Industries managed the full scope from concrete scanning through to internal fixture connection. The following sections set out each stage of the grease trap installation.

Below Ground Grease Trap Supply and Installation

First, the team scanned and cut the concrete to allow excavation for the tank. A grease trap is an underground interceptor that captures fats, oils, and grease before kitchen wastewater enters the sewer. Without one, those substances solidify in pipes and cause blockages.

Then, the crew installed a 1,000-litre unit with a Class D lid. Class D is the load rating needed when a lid sits in a vehicle-accessible area. Subsequently, the team completed full concrete reinstatement once the tank was set. You can see our wider trade waste plumbing installation approach for similar sites.

Trade Waste Drainage and Atmospheric Venting

Next, Citi Industries installed all trade waste drainage as per the hydraulic plan. The line ran from inside the tenancy, through the grease trap, and out to the sewer connection. In addition, the team vented both the tank and the trade waste line to atmosphere.

This venting is a requirement under Queensland regulated plumbing work requirements. Proper venting prevents pressure buildup and stops odour entering the building. Moreover, the team extended the new trade waste line to connect every kitchen fixture, completing the commercial kitchen trade waste system end to end.

Backflow Prevention and Bucket Traps

After that, the team fitted one RPZD backflow valve on the closest hosetap. An RPZD, or Reduced Pressure Zone Device, stops contaminated water flowing back into the mains supply. Therefore, this valve is a compliance requirement for any water connection serving a trade waste area.

The crew also installed two bucket traps in the commercial kitchen. A bucket trap captures solid matter at floor level before it reaches the drainage system. As a result, it reduces the load on the grease trap and extends the interval between pump-outs.

Internal Plumbing Fit-out

Finally, Citi Industries completed the internal works inside the tenancy. This covered the cold water rough-in, the hot water rough-in, and sanitary plumbing. The team then connected the basin, the double wash sink, and the tapware as per the plan, with all fixtures supplied by the client.

In addition, the crew installed a new electric hot water unit with a safe tray to service the kitchen. The unit itself was supplied by others. Our commercial plumbing services cover this kind of fit-out from rough-in to final connection.

Final Outcome

This grease trap installation in Acacia Ridge gave the business a fully compliant commercial kitchen trade waste system. The team completed the works in December 2025 without incident in a busy industrial setting. Consequently, the kitchen can operate legally, and the drainage is sized for the volume it must handle.

• Below ground grease trap built to trade waste approval conditions
• Class D lid correctly matched to the vehicle-accessible location
• All internal fixtures connected and operational as per the hydraulic plan
• RPZD valve and two bucket traps protecting the system and the potable supply

Because the design followed plumbing compliance and standards Australia, the business holds infrastructure it can rely on. The concrete was reinstated to match the existing surface, so the area looks as it did before.

Final Thoughts

Running a commercial kitchen means compliance does not stop at fit-out. Once the doors open, the trade waste system has to keep working and hold up under daily use. However, systems that are not installed to spec tend to show problems quickly through failed inspections or early blockages.

Citi Industries focuses on getting the grease trap installation right the first time. Therefore, operators avoid rework and failed inspections after opening. The team understands Queensland trade waste requirements, works to hydraulic design, and meets approval conditions before a job is called complete.

Whether you are fitting out a new kitchen or replacing a system that no longer complies, speak with the team. We provide industrial drainage solutions, commercial kitchen plumbing, and the documentation needed for a clean handover.

Call Citi Industries on 1300 002 484 to discuss your project.

Space is the first thing that decides how a grease trap installation goes, and this Marsden tenancy had very little of it. A commercial food service operator wanted to open a new kitchen, yet the only viable tank location was occupied by a rear platform step. The site also fell under Logan City Council, which meant trade waste metering formed part of the approval.

Therefore, the operator brought in Citi Industries to handle the grease trap installation as a do and charge job. Rather than force the tank into an awkward spot, the team reshaped the rear of the property to suit it.

Project Overview

At its core, this was a below ground grease trap installation paired with a complete commercial kitchen plumbing fit-out. However, the survey plan and the council metering requirement shaped almost every decision on site. Consequently, planning the tank position came before any tool touched the concrete.

The crew set a 1,000-litre tank with a Class D lid, vented the system out the side wall, and ran new drainage to each fixture. Alongside that, the internal works brought water, waste, and a new hot water supply into the kitchen.

Key scope items included:

• 1,000-litre below ground grease trap fitted with a Class D vehicular traffic lid
• Full concrete scanning, cutting, removal, and reinstatement across the work zone
• Rear platform step demolished so the tank could sit within the surveyed boundary
• Trade waste drainage set out to the hydraulic plan
• Tank and trade waste vents taken to atmosphere along the side of the building
• Internal trade waste line connecting every kitchen fixture
• One RPZD backflow valve on the nearest hosetap
• Two bucket traps positioned in the commercial kitchen
• One trade waste water meter, installed at Logan City Council’s request
• Pedestrian barricading kept up across the affected area

Challenges

Every commercial kitchen carries fats, oils, and food solids into its wastewater. Left untreated, that mix sets hard inside sewer pipes and chokes the line. For this reason, Logan City Council trade waste approvals call for a sized grease trap and metered discharge before a kitchen connects.

Beyond the usual compliance steps, the layout fought back. The rear platform step sat exactly where the tank needed to go. As a result, the team demolished it and rebuilt the ground level to take the new unit. The boundary line added a second limit, since the survey plan left only a narrow window for the tank to sit legally.

Vehicle access across the rear meant the lid had to bear traffic loads, so a Class D rating was non-negotiable. Meanwhile, scanning the slab beforehand revealed where existing services ran, which kept the cutting safe.

Key constraints on this project:

• Rear platform step had to come out before the below ground grease trap could be placed
• Survey plan confined the tank to a tight position inside the property boundary
• A vehicle-accessible rear required a Class D lid rated for traffic loads
• Logan City Council mandated a trade waste water meter on the discharge line
• Slab scanning preceded all cutting to avoid striking hidden services
  

Solutions

Citi Industries worked the job in a deliberate order, starting with the groundworks that unlocked everything else. Each stage below builds on the one before it.

Reshaping the Rear and Setting the Tank

To begin, the crew stripped out the rear platform step and graded the ground for the new unit. With the area clear, they scanned and cut the slab, then dug to depth. A grease trap is a buried chamber that intercepts fats and oils, holding them back while clean water continues to the sewer.

Next, the 1,000-litre tank went in with its Class D lid, seated precisely inside the surveyed boundary. Once bedded, the team poured fresh concrete to close the surface. For sites with similar access headaches, our range of below ground grease traps suits tight footprints.

Drainage and Side-Wall Venting

With the tank in place, attention turned to the pipework. The crew laid the trade waste drainage to the hydraulic plan, carrying flow from the kitchen, through the trap, and on to the sewer. Both the tank and the waste line then vented up the side of the building to the atmosphere.

Venting matters because trapped gas builds pressure and pushes odour back indoors. Under Queensland regulated plumbing work requirements, open venting is part of a compliant system. Subsequently, the internal line was extended to pick up every fixture in the kitchen.

Metering, Backflow Protection and Bucket Traps

Because Logan City Council required volumetric data, the team fitted a trade waste water meter on the discharge. This device records how much trade waste leaves the premises, which informs the council’s charges. In turn, the operator gains a transparent record of usage.

The crew also added an RPZD backflow valve at the closest hosetap. This guard stops dirty water siphoning back into the drinking supply. On top of that, two bucket traps were dropped into the kitchen to catch solids at floor level, easing the trap’s workload between pump-outs.

Bringing the Kitchen to Life

Finally, the internal fit-out tied everything together. The team roughed in cold and hot water, completed the sanitary plumbing, and mounted a hand basin with a base basin mixer plus a sink mixer. A wall-mounted Stiebel Eltron three-phase instantaneous unit now heats water on demand for the kitchen.

An instantaneous heater skips the storage tank, so hot water arrives only when a tap calls for it. Our commercial plumbing services take a fit-out from bare rough-in through to a working, tested kitchen.

Final Outcome

What started as a blocked, awkward rear corner ended as a compliant, working plumbing system. Citi Industries wrapped the Marsden job in December 2025, clearing the site without disrupting neighbouring units. As a result, the kitchen now discharges legally, and the council has the metering it asked for.

• Tank seated cleanly inside the property boundary after the platform step came out
• Class D lid matched to a rear that takes vehicle loads
• Trade waste water meter live and reporting to Logan City Council
• Backflow valve, two bucket traps, and a three-phase hot water supply all commissioned

Since the build followed plumbing compliance and standards Australia, the operator holds a system that will pass inspection and last. The reinstated slab leaves no sign of how tight the job really was.

Final Thoughts

A kitchen’s compliance does not end on opening day. The trade waste system has to keep metering, keep flowing, and keep odour out long after the first service. Yet a rushed install tends to surface its faults early, whether through a failed audit or a slow drain.

Citi Industries treats the first install as the one that should last. Because of that, operators sidestep the callbacks and re-inspections that plague corner-cutting jobs. The team reads the survey, works to plan, and satisfies council conditions before signing off.

So whether you are opening a fresh kitchen or untangling a non-compliant one, talk to the team. We can book a trade waste site assessment and hand over the paperwork that keeps the council happy.

Call Citi Industries on 1300 002 484 to discuss your project.

Replacing a grease trap is rarely as simple as swapping one tank for another, and Salisbury proved the point. A commercial food service operator had an ageing unit that no longer suited the premises. The catch was access, because no excavator could reach the work area to dig the new trench.

So the operator called Citi Industries to handle the grease trap upgrade as a do and charge project. The job hinged on one early decision: how to excavate a tight site without heavy machinery.

Project Overview

This grease trap upgrade replaced an old below ground unit with a new Halgan 1000-litre tank. Because the location blocked machine access, the team turned to vacuum excavation instead. That single choice shaped the method, the timeline, and the way the crew protected the existing services.

Beyond the dig, the work covered fresh drainage, a new sewer connection, venting, and a reinstated concrete surface. The brief also called for cleanouts, so future maintenance would stay straightforward.

Key scope items included:

• New Halgan 1000-litre below ground grease trap fitted with Class D lids
• Concrete scanning, cutting, and removal to open the trench for the new tank
• Vacuum excavation in place of machinery, chosen for the restricted access
• Decommissioning of the old grease trap, with the pump-out handled by others
• Trade waste drainage tying the existing line into the new trap
• A new sewer connection joining the trap to the external sewer
• A 100mm vent to atmosphere for the new trap and the trade waste line
• Trench and surround reinstated in 25MPa concrete, single mesh, broom finish
• One 15mm RPZD backflow valve mounted on the building wall near the trap
• Three cleanouts for future maintenance and jetting

Challenges

An old grease trap that has reached its limit puts a kitchen at risk of blockages and failed inspections. Under Urban Utilities trade waste guidelines, the replacement still has to meet current sizing and connection rules. A like-for-like swap therefore was never going to be enough.

Access was the headline problem. The work area simply could not fit an excavator, so the usual dig-and-drop method was off the table. As a result, the team specified vacuum excavation, which clears soil with high-pressure air or water and a powerful suction hose. This method reaches confined spots and exposes buried lines without striking them.

Tying the new tank into live services added a second layer. The existing trade waste line, the external sewer, and the surrounding slab all had to stay intact during the changeover.

Key constraints on this project:

• No machine access, which ruled out conventional excavation entirely
• Vacuum excavation required to dig safely around buried services in a tight area
• Old trap had to be decommissioned cleanly before the new one went in
• New connections needed to join an existing trade waste line and external sewer
• Reinstated concrete had to meet a 25MPa, single mesh, broom finish specification

Solutions

Citi Industries sequenced the upgrade to keep risk low and disruption short. Each phase below sets up the next.

Decommissioning and Opening the Trench

To start, the old grease trap was taken offline, with a separate contractor handling the pump-out. The crew then scanned the slab to map what lay beneath, cut the concrete, and removed it to form the trench. Scanning first matters, since an unseen pipe or cable can turn a routine cut into a costly repair.

Our grease trap design and installation work always begins with this kind of groundwork, because the dig dictates everything that follows.

Vacuum Excavation in a Tight Spot

Next came the excavation itself, which is where this job differed from most. Since no machine could reach the area, the team used vacuum excavation to break and lift the soil. The technique pairs a high-pressure jet with industrial suction, drawing spoil into a holding tank.

The payoff is precision. Rather than risk a strike with a bucket, the crew exposed the ground gently and worked around the live services. Consequently, the existing pipes stayed undamaged throughout.

Installing the Halgan Tank and New Connections

With the trench open, the new Halgan 1000-litre tank went in, complete with Class D lids rated for traffic. The team then connected the trade waste drainage from the existing line into the new trap. A fresh sewer connection carried treated flow out to the external sewer.

After that, a 100mm vent was run to atmosphere for both the trap and the trade waste line. Venting clears gas and odour, which keeps the system stable. You can review the full below ground grease traps range for sizing on comparable jobs.

Backflow Protection, Cleanouts and Reinstatement

Finally, the crew fitted a 15mm RPZD valve on the building wall near the trap. This backflow device blocks contaminated water from reaching the drinking supply. Three cleanouts were also installed, giving future technicians easy points for jetting and maintenance.

To close out, the team poured the trench and surround back in 25MPa concrete with single mesh and a broom finish. That spec gives a durable, slip-aware surface that matches a working commercial yard.

Final Outcome

A site that could not take a machine now holds a modern, compliant grease trap. Citi Industries finished the Salisbury upgrade in December 2025, leaving the kitchen ready to trade without drainage worries. As a result, the operator swapped an end-of-life liability for infrastructure built to current standards.

• New Halgan 1000-litre trap installed where no excavator could reach
• Vacuum excavation protected every buried service during the dig
• Trade waste and sewer connections tied in cleanly to the existing system
• Three cleanouts and an RPZD valve added for easy upkeep and backflow safety

Because the work followed Queensland regulated plumbing work requirements, the operator can rely on the result through future audits. The broom-finished slab leaves the yard looking complete rather than patched.

Need a Grease Trap Upgrade?

Upgrading a grease trap is often harder than installing a brand new one. The old unit, the live connections, and a working site all complicate the job at once. However, the right method turns a difficult replacement into a clean handover.

Citi Industries plans each upgrade around the site’s real limits, not the ideal ones. When access rules out machinery, vacuum excavation keeps the project moving safely. The team reads the site, protects what is already there, and reinstates the surface to spec.

If your grease trap is past its prime or your site fights every dig, talk to our trade waste team. We assess access, plan the method, and deliver the documentation a clean handover needs.

Call Citi Industries on 1300 002 484 to discuss your project.