Commercial kitchens are evolving. Combination ovens, tilting kettles, steamers, pasta cookers, and other high-temperature appliances allow operators to prepare food more efficiently but they can also introduce significantly hotter wastewater into the drainage system. For commercial kitchen floor sinks, floor troughs, and trench drains, managing that wastewater temperature is an important consideration for protecting downstream plumbing infrastructure and supporting applicable plumbing code requirements.

Hotter Equipment Means Hotter Wastewater

Modern commercial cooking appliances can heat fluids to temperatures approaching 212°F.

When that wastewater is drained or dumped in large volumes into a floor sink, floor trough, or trench drain, the heat is transferred directly into the drainage system.

Unlike a residential kitchen, commercial kitchens may discharge high-temperature wastewater repeatedly throughout the day from multiple pieces of equipment.

Why 140°F Matters to the Wasteline

Plumbing Code Requirements

Plumbing codes generally require wastewater exceeding 140°F (60°C) to be tempered before entering the waste system, unless the waste system has specifically been engineered to accommodate higher temperatures.

The requirement is intended to help protect drainage piping and components from excessive heat.

Commercial kitchen waste lines are commonly constructed from materials such as PVC and ABS because they offer advantages including ease of installation, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However, every piping system has specific temperature limitations established by the pipe, fittings, solvent cement, and manufacturer.

Repeated exposure to temperatures beyond those ratings can contribute to deterioration of piping components and solvent-welded joints, potentially increasing the risk of premature waste line problems.

Auto-Tempering Technology

Streivor’s Auto-Tempering Technology integrates temperature monitoring directly into the floor sink, floor trough, or trench drain to automatically temper wastewater before it enters the waste line.

A submersible Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) continuously monitors the temperature of wastewater entering the drainage fixture.

When the RTD detects wastewater above the system’s programmed activation temperature, the Auto-Tempering system automatically introduces cold water through a pressurized 360-degree spray nozzle.

The incoming water mixes with the wastewater to reduce its temperature before it enters the waste line. Once the RTD detects that the wastewater has returned to the programmed safe temperature range, the system automatically shuts off the tempering water.

One Water Supply. Multiple Functions.

More Than Wastewater Tempering

Auto-Tempering Technology can also make use of the same water for other drainage functions. As tempering water enters the trough through the spray nozzle, it simultaneously provides a rinsing action across the interior of the drainage fixture. The water can also contribute to trap priming when the system’s integrated functions are coordinated.

This approach helps maximize water usage by allowing one water supply to perform multiple functions rather than supplying separate water for each operation.

Temper

Reduces elevated wastewater temperatures.

Rinse

Helps rinse the interior of the drainage fixture.

Prime

Contributes to maintaining the trap liquid seal.

Key Benefits

Continuously monitors wastewater temperature through an integrated RTD.

Reduces wastewater temperature before it enters the downstream waste system.

Provides tempering water only when cooling is required.

The same water can temper wastewater while also rinsing and contributing to trap priming.

Designed to help address applicable requirements for wastewater temperature before entering the waste system.

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Protect the Waste Line with Auto-Tempering Technology Before the Problem Reaches It.