I believe floor sinks are required in restaurants and hospitals so that the backflow doesn't come up and contaminate those sinks but can anyone specifically let me know when floor sinks are required in terms of building code? If I could get confirmation that it is required for hospitals and restaurants too, that would be great. Thanks
To clarify things, I believe it is not the floor sink fixture that is the focus of the question. It is where and when an air gap or an air break are required for indirect wastes. Whether it is a floor drain, floor sink, mop sink or trapped hopper is a matter of preference. If a local building code requires a specific fixture for a specific use, then it may be best to check with them.
So, the question is: When are indirect wastes required in restaurants and hospitals?
There is a long list and codes change over time and in different regions.
I typically install them on ice machines, soda fountains, condensation lines/pans, beer tap troughs, commercial dishwashers, soda gun dispensers, clothes washer discharge, bed pan steamers,egg boilers, food display cases,hood washers, ice cream dispensers, glass fillers at waitress stations, potato peelers, steam kettles, coffee urns, steam tables...to name a few.
A specific floor drain requirement for hospitals would be any room containing the recessed or concealed portions of sterilizers.
There difference between an air gap and an air break must be noted.
An air gap discharges into the receptacle without penetrating below the rim, usually a minimum of 1 1/2", to prevent contamination of the indirect waste line.
An air break will penetrate below the rim of the receptacle.