The restaurant’s existing 1,000-litre trap was no longer keeping pace with the kitchen’s output. With a Gold Coast council trade waste compliance requirement to meet, the team needed a replacement, one that could handle three times the load without taking the kitchen offline for days. Citi Industries replaced the existing 1,000-litre tank with a 3,000-litre below-ground unit. The grease trap installation also included trade waste drainage, a vent to atmosphere and Class D access lids.
Project Overview
The existing grease trap sat beneath a concrete surface at the restaurant. The team cut through that surface to access the underground tank and its connections. The job also required trade waste drainage work alongside the replacement.
Scope at a glance:
- Cutting and removing concrete to access the existing installation.
- Decommissioning and removing the original grease trap.
- Supplying and installing a new below-ground unit with Class D lids.
- Installing trade waste drainage and a vent to the atmosphere.
- Completing the surrounding groundworks and cleaning the work area.
Challenges
Access Beneath an Existing Concrete Surface
The first challenge was reaching a tank buried beneath an established surface. Removing the old equipment required concrete cutting and space to work on the pipe connections.
The team barricaded the open dig area to keep foot traffic clear while groundworks were underway.
Trade Waste Connections and Service Access
Restaurant wastewater can contain fats, oils and grease from food preparation and washing. Grease traps intercept this material before it reaches downstream drainage.
Connecting the replacement also required trade waste pipework and access for maintenance. Class D lids are heavy-duty covers that allow workers to open the tank for servicing.
Commercial wastewater work sits within Queensland’s plumbing framework, as outlined in the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019.
Solutions
Citi Industries completed the grease trap installation in stages. First came access and removal, followed by the replacement tank and plumbing connections. The team then completed the surrounding groundworks.
Opening the Site and Removing the Old Tank
Citi Industries cut and removed the concrete above the existing grease trap to reach the underground installation. Next, the crew decommissioned and removed the original tank. The team placed pedestrian barricades around the affected work area while the groundworks were underway.
Installing the New Below-Ground Grease Trap
Citi Industries supplied and installed the 3,000-litre below-ground grease trap in place of the former 1,000-litre tank. The crew also fitted the specified Class D lids.
The replacement forms part of the grease trap design, supply and installation services for commercial premises.
Connecting the Drainage and Finishing the Site
The crew installed trade waste drainage to connect the replacement trap with the restaurant’s wastewater system. The team also fitted a vent to the atmosphere. This vent allows air and gases to move through the drainage arrangement.
The trade wastewater management solutions also cover drainage and venting for commercial kitchens.
Hospitality operators can review trade waste approval requirements through the City of Gold Coast. Australian plumbing and drainage standards also provide a technical reference for connected pipework.
After the underground work, Citi Industries reinstated the affected concrete. The team then removed excess spoil and completed the site clean-up.
Final Outcome
Following the grease trap upgrade, the restaurant had a 3,000-litre below-ground tank in place of its former 1,000-litre unit. The replacement was connected to the kitchen’s trade waste drainage and accessible for future servicing.
Need a Commercial Grease Trap Upgrade?
Replacing an underground grease trap calls for planning around existing concrete, drainage and access points. Citi Industries helped Gold Coast hospitality businesses with grease trap upgrades and commercial plumbing projects.
If your restaurant is planning a replacement, get in touch with the team. Call us on 1300 002 484 to discuss your site and request a quote.
1300 002 484
