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Q. I need to know how to install a grease trap for a restaurant according to code in Grafton WV |
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-Bill,
Grafton,
WV
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A. This is something that veries from city to city and the codes may change frequently.
Grafton is a very small community with little in the way of research can be performed on their legal requirements but you can reach the government official there. He may be able to assist.
Code Enforcement Officer
Fred Ford
8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Monday - Friday
Telephone: (304) 265-1412 Ext. 30
If you would like to have a professional contractor in the area assist you we would be happy to assist you. Please call 888-326-0653 opt #1 for assistance.
Thank you,
Tiffeny Tizon
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Q. The international plumbing code says that a hospital shall have two water services. What does this mean? |
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-dt,
Payson,
Ut
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A. Hello DT,
Based on information from the Proposed Changes to the International Plumbing Code (IPC) for 2006/2007, the purpose of this ruling is to maintain safe water supply and a sanitary drainage system in the event of an emergency. Having two (versus one) water services will prevent the interruption of service in case of an electrical power outage. Note that this does not guarantee disposal of potable water from hospitals or similar facilities.
For more information, see www.iccsafe.org.
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Q. I have a clogged urinal at my restaurant. It will fill up and take forever to drain. I used Crystal Draino and other types of Draino but that didn't help. What should I do? |
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-Robert,
Clovis,
CA
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A. Hi Robert, If you haven't already, you might want to try snaking the drain to clear the clog (that is, if the clog is paper or other small items that might have fallen into the urinal). You can rent a power snake by the hour from your local tool rental company. If that hasn't fixed the problem, then I suggest that you pull the urinal away from the wall to check for calcium, or lime, buildup -- this will be white and look like grains of rice or pieces of gravel. Flush the line with a hose or other water source until it runs clear. I'd also like to suggest looking into a monthly or quarterly maintenance plan with a commercial plumber who will regularly flush the lines for you. This can be especially helpful in a restaurant environment, where the lavatories are used frequently. Let me know how it goes (and flows!).
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Q. I'm looking for direction on installing a salon backwash unit with vacuum breaker. Daughter is opening a salon. She has lots of family help with painters, electricians, and even plumbers in the family, but none that have installed these. Any direction? |
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-Tsegars,
Knoxville,
Tennessee
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A. Hello Tsegars, For our readers who do not know what a vacuum breaker is: it prevents salon chemicals from entering the public water supply. My suggestion is to begin at www.feebcoonline.com for the actual parts and specs, then check in your local area (or our network) for a plumber who has experience installing vacuum breakers. You may also wish to call on other salons in the Knoxville area and ask the owner who installed their vacuum breakers.
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Q. We replaced three 100-gallon gas water heaters in a hotel with three 120-gallon fan assisted gas water heaters. We have a 2" gas main coming into the room and it is reduced down to 1 1/2" to catch the water heaters. The last water heater on the run is having a problem with the exhaust vent vibrating loud. We have exactly 7" of wc without any of them running, but when they kick on the last water heater vent vibrates really loud sounds like the exhaust on a hot rod. Is that something related to the venting, or does it have something to do with the water heater? Or, is there not enough gas getting to the unit causing it to rumble? |
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-Jesse Cupp,
rogers,
arkansas
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A. From Master Plumber Tim Carlson of
Dan's Plumbing.
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO THE HEATERS. YOU NEED TO CHECK THE DATA PLATE ON THE HEATERS TO SEE WHAT THE NORMAL WORKING PRESSURE SHOULD BE ON YOUR HEATERS. THEN WITH ALL THE HEATERS RUNNING, CHECK THE WATER COLUM ON ALL THE HEATERS AT THE HEATERS. I THINK YOU MAY NEED TO CHANGE YOUR SECONDARY REGULATOR TO INCREASE GAS PRESSURE TO SOMEWHERE AROUND 7” TO 10” OF WC WHEN THEY ARE ALL RUNNING AND IT SHOULD BE SOMEWHERE AROUND 10” TO 12”WC WHEN THEY ARE NOT RUNNING. IF YOU CAN’T REACH THIS PRESSURE YOU MAY LOOK AT YOUR PRIMARY REGULATER TO SEE IF THE GAS COMPANY IS SUPPYLING YOUR BUILDING WITH ENOUGH PRESSURE TO SUPPLY ITS NEED UNDER A FULL LOAD. WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT YOUR GAS NEEDS ARE FOR SURE THAT WOULD BE MY ADVICE, BUT PLEASE CHECK ALL MY FIGURES FOR SURE BEFORE TRYING TO TURN THE GAS PRESSURE UP BECAUSE, AS WE ALL KNOW, IT’S NOTHING TO PLAY WITH…. THE HEATER WILL CYCLE AND MAKE THESE NOISES THROUGH THE FLEW IF IT IS STARVING FOR FUEL. IF THESE ARE HIGH RECOVERY HEATERS THEY MAY BE ASKING FOR SOMEWHERE AROUND ONE MILLION BTU’S AND YOUR GAS LINE MAY NOT BE LARGE ENOUGH AS WELL. THESE ARE ALL THINGS TO LOOK AT. HOPE I HAVE STEERED YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT. THANKS, TIM.
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