Commercial Kitchen Floor - InspectionNews

Matt Fellman · #1 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 03:22 PM

This isn't exactly HI related but I'm thinking somebody around here has an ansnwer.

Are tiled commercial kitchen floors supposed to slope towards the drains to keep water from collecting like in a shower?

I've always just thought the drains were in place to squeegie the water into when cleaning and don't necessarily have to slope. The tenant in a building my family owns is upset with the contractor that recently installed the floor and I was asked what the rule is, or if there even is one.

Thanks!

Rick Hurst · #2 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 03:32 PM

As a PCO who has been in numerous kitchens in restaurants over the years I have seen floors sloped at the floor drains around sinks and dishwasher areas. Quite common.

Scott Patterson · #3 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Fellman

This isn't exactly HI related but I'm thinking somebody around here has an ansnwer.

Are tiled commercial kitchen floors supposed to slope towards the drains to keep water from collecting like in a shower?

I've always just thought the drains were in place to squeegie the water into when cleaning and don't necessarily have to slope. The tenant in a building my family owns is upset with the contractor that recently installed the floor and I was asked what the rule is, or if there even is one.

Thanks!

What is the drain for? What did the contract or spec say about the drain?

I don't know of any requirement in the IBC that would cover this. I think that this would need to be spelled out in the contract that the floor needs to slope X toward the floor drain.

Matt Fellman · #4 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 03:46 PM

Thanks guys - I'm pretty sure it wasn't addresed in the contract. I'm more looking for a requirement that it must slope to the drain. It doesn't sound like there is one.

This is building that my wife's family owns and I've been elected to help look after it. We recently flipped tenants and had a major remodel done. The contractor the tenant hired is a total noodle and they have been at each other's throats the entire time. In this case, however, I don't she has anything to complain about.

Here are a couple examples of his work -

BARRY ADAIR · #5 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 04:15 PM

Most tile setters that I've worked with will "pan" a 1'-3' sloped area around any floor drains be they in a kitchen, bathroom, food/drink prep station, behind bars or other areas where spillage or daily cleaning takes place. Mop or squeegee use depends on the size or area being cleared of liquids. Having the entire floor sloped to drains would need to have been speced in the prints and installers contract.

Jerry Peck · #6 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 05:53 PM

Depends on where the drain is located.

While the code does not specify that the floor be sloped to the drain, if the floor is sloped to the drain and the drain is out in the middle of the floor (like many are), the sloped floor could be hazardous to the health and fitness of employees.

If the floor drain is under a sink, under a fixed in place center table, by all means, slope the floor to the drain.

But to slope a main walking area is just not real safe.

Jim Luttrall · #7 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 06:08 PM

It really depends on the application. If it is a "wash down" prep area that gets hosed down on a regular basis, then the entire floor needs to be sloped, otherwise just the immediate area around the drains. Like others said, it would have to be spec'd in the plans or don't gripe.

Steve Lowery · #8 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 08:31 PM

Here in California it is typical for the concrete crew to take a board 2' long & swing it around the drain, which is set 1/4'' or so below grade, to create a small shallow well for drainage. It's gradual enough that people don't trip. The commercial kitchens these are found in are usually so freaking greasy and wet that the slope is the least of the worries. Many of the floors my company does now call for epoxy floors that have several layers that have sand imbedded in them.

Tim Moreira · #9 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 11:44 PM

Sadly, most of the floor drains I've seen in hospital kitchens seem to slope away or the floors are level.

Mostly the staff has to squeegee the water to the drains.

I have seen in areas that are specifically "wash down areas", the floor was specified to slope in the plans as already stated.

David Banks · #10 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Moreira

Sadly, most of the floor drains I've seen in hospital kitchens seem to slope away or the floors are level.

Mostly the staff has to squeegee the water to the drains.

I have seen in areas that are specifically "wash down areas", the floor was specified to slope in the plans as already stated.

The problem is that it takes a skilled concrete finisher to properly slope the floor to a drain.