A plumbing device that captures fats, oils and grease from kitchen wastewater before it enters the sewer.
It slows kitchen wastewater so fats, oils and grease float and food solids settle, keeping them out of the sewer. This prevents blockages, overflows and odours in the drains and public sewer system.
It is mainly a trade-waste requirement set by local water authorities. It links to food safety through Standard 3.2.3, which requires adequate drainage and waste handling that will not contaminate food or attract pests, so a well-maintained trap supports both.
As often as your trade waste agreement specifies, which depends on the trap size and how much grease your kitchen produces. A licensed waste contractor pumps out and cleans it; keep the service records as proof.
It can overflow, block drains, produce foul odours and attract pests, and may breach your trade waste agreement. An overflowing or smelly trap can also contaminate the food area, which is a hygiene concern under Standard 3.2.3.
Scrape plates, pans and fryers into the bin rather than washing fat and food scraps down the sink, and use strainers over sink and floor drains. Less grease reaching the trap means fewer blockages and longer intervals between pump-outs.