Did you know that we use square footage to size oil separators for service facilities?

First, let’s define service facilities (per plumbing code).  This would encompass anything from routine car cleaning and detailing, to full blown engine repair.  "Service" applies not only to vehicles, but also to any kind of machinery that could leak oil into the building drainage system.   


​Both UPC and IPC recognize the following to calculate the capacity of an oil separator: (6) cubic feet for the first 100 square feet of drainage area, plus (1) cubic foot of required capacity for each additional 100 square feet.

Here's an example:
 
Oil change facility with 900 square feet of drainage area.

• First 100 square feet = 6 cubic feet
• Next 800 square feet = 8 cubic feet
• 6 cubic feet + 8 cubic feet = 14 cubic feet
• 14 cubic feet = 104.7 gallons of required capacity

Recommendation:  OS-75 (125-gallon total liquid capacity)

Keep in mind that some jurisdictions have their own requirements: 500 gallons, 1000 gallons, double-wall mandate, only allow concrete, etc. 

If this is the case in your territory, let's work on changing that.

Below is a quick reference sizing chart that can found on page 3 of our 2017 Catalog.

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