Borough of Kenilworth, NJ Grease Interceptors in Food Establishments

§ 212-10.2 Grease interceptor required.

Every food establishment, new or existing, whether retail or wholesale, that generates any amount of grease shall have a grease interceptor installed downstream of the fixture used to wash its multiuse utensils and equipment. Such fixture shall be a mechanical dishwasher or multicompartment sink. Those existing establishments that do not have a grease interceptor shall have a grace period of 90 days from the date of enactment of this article to install a grease interceptor.

The person or firm installing the grease interceptor shall first obtain a permit from the Borough of Kenilworth Building Department.

The grease interceptor shall not be installed closer than 10 feet to the utensil washing fixture it serves, without permission from the Borough of Kenilworth Building Department. The grease interceptor is to be installed as far away from the mechanical dishwasher as reasonably possible.

Grease shall be allowed to congeal overnight, and the grease interceptor interior shall be inspected as soon as the establishment is opened the following business day to determine the thickness of the layer of grease. These inspections shall be conducted daily. If and when the grease layer reaches a thickness of one inch or rises to within one inch of the outlet baffle, it shall be removed from the interceptor and placed into an approved exterior grease container. Small grease generators not requiring an exterior grease container shall be permitted to place the accumulation into a small plastic bag and dispose of the grease in a garbage receptacle. The grease shall be removed from the interceptor at frequent enough intervals to prevent grease in excess of the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties limit of 100 mg/L from entering the Borough of Kenilworth sanitary system and to prevent waste backup within the establishment or elsewhere.

Proprietors must inspect grease interceptors daily and maintain inspection records. The records must be posted near the grease interceptor visible to the Borough inspector and must include the date of inspection, the name of the employee who performed the inspection, and the thickness of the grease at the time of inspection.

§ 212-10.3 Generators of large amounts of grease.

Restaurants with a seating capacity of 50 or more patrons and restaurants and takeout food establishments as well as all food establishments with deep fryers shall provide an exterior grease container and shall have the waste grease and cooking oils placed therein for collection by a firm or person qualified to remove it. The container used shall not be less than 55 gallons and shall be equipped with a bung and a funnel. A commercial grease container, in lieu of a drum, may be used to contain liquid waste between collections. The funnel shall be used for pouring the grease and oils into the drum, and the drum and surrounding area shall be kept neat and clean.

Restaurants and fast-food establishments with a seating capacity of greater than or equal to 100 shall provide a one-thousand-gallon exterior in-ground grease interceptor, gravity-fed to the interceptor and from the interceptor to the sanitary system maintained by the municipality. The owner or occupant of said establishment shall engage, under contract, a person, firm or corporation to monitor and remove the grease at timely intervals.

Proprietors must inspect grease interceptors daily and maintain inspection records. The records must be posted inside the establishment and must include the date of inspection, the name of the employee who performed the inspection, and the thickness of the grease at the time of inspection. Disposal records must be maintained at the site and available for inspection by Borough officials. The records must list the date when grease was removed from the interceptor, the name of the company hired to remove the grease, the volume of grease removed, and where it was disposed.

§ 212-10.4 Enforcement.

For the purpose of this article, the Health Officer shall be designated as the enforcing officer. The enforcing officer shall be authorized to designate as many officials as deemed reasonable and necessary to carry out the purpose of this article. The enforcing officer or his designee is authorized to act as a law enforcement officer solely with respect to the enforcement of the provisions of the article herein by being empowered to issue summonses for any violations of this article in accordance with rules governing the courts of the State of New Jersey.

§ 212-10.5 Violations and penalties.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 199, General Provisions, Board of Health, Art. I)]

Any person who violates, fails or neglects to comply with any provision of this article or notice issued pursuant thereto shall, upon conviction thereof, be liable to a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $500 for each violation. Each day that a violation continues beyond a given deadline shall constitute a separate and distinct offense and additional penalties may be imposed.

§ 212-10.6 When effective.

This article shall take effect immediately upon its passage and publication as required by law.

§ 212-10.7 Severability.

If it is determined, by a court of competent jurisdiction, that any provision or section of this article is unconstitutional, all other sections and provisions shall remain in effect.