FOG Management Program For Multi-Tenant Buildings
When a mall or mixed-use building has multiple food tenants sharing a grease interceptor, a unified FOG program prevents the finger-pointing that leads to backups and fines.
Sub-meter each tenant
Individual grease trap monitoring per tenant aligns incentives. Tenants pay for their own overuse.
Centralized pumping contract
One pumping vendor on a building-wide schedule beats individual contracts on cost and accountability.
Bioaugmentation at the main
A bacterial feed at the main interceptor handles whatever the individual traps miss.
Why it matters
A shared interceptor can be serviced correctly while tenant branch lines still collect grease. The program needs to cover the route from kitchen fixtures to the interceptor, not just the tank. Changes in menus, kitchen equipment, or operating patterns can change what reaches that route. Clear records help building staff distinguish poor disposal practices from a blocked branch, damaged component, or access problem.
Practical steps
Map which sinks, dishwashers, and floor drains connect to each tenant branch. Confirm that cleanouts and interceptor covers remain accessible during food service and deliveries. Have kitchen staff scrape cookware, collect used cooking oil separately, and keep food solids out of drains. Check strainers, leaking fixtures, and signs of standing wastewater. Record where slow drainage occurs and whether neighboring tenants report it at the same time. Require pumping reports to describe removed material and note damaged baffles, covers, or fittings. Review those findings when kitchen operations change. Keep disposal instructions and escalation contacts available to incoming tenant managers.
When to call a professional
Call a drain professional when backups recur after pumping, several tenant fixtures slow together, or wastewater appears at a cleanout. Ask for inspection of the affected branch and downstream piping rather than assuming the interceptor is full. Persistent sewer odor also warrants prompt investigation. Building staff should not enter an interceptor or reach into wastewater to investigate a blockage.
How Luften handles it
Luften offers a free on-site walkthrough and written treatment recommendation. Managed service programs can combine grease, drain, and odor work, with documented service visits and a shared point of contact. The walkthrough helps identify odor sources and determine the appropriate service approach for the property.
Grease trap maintenanceFrequently asked questions
- Who pays for the main interceptor?
- Usually building ownership, with costs allocated to tenants via CAM.
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