Inspectors look at your pump-out records, the condition of the trap or interceptor, whether every grease-bearing fixture is plumbed to it, and outside areas like the tallow bin and dumpster. In Phoenix the visit is unannounced and often after hours. Keep records on site for three years.
How the visit works in Phoenix
Commercial inspections are unannounced, because the point is to see how the kitchen runs on an ordinary day. Inspectors try to come in off hours to disrupt the business as little as possible. They wear a uniform, carry city ID, drive a city vehicle, and explain the purpose before starting. You may walk with them.
The four things they check
- 1Maintenance records. These show how often the device is serviced. Phoenix code requires them on site for three years, including pumper invoices.
- 2The device. The inspector checks for missing parts or a tank that has rotted out, and how much grease is in it, to judge whether your schedule is enough.
- 3The kitchen. They count grease-bearing fixtures, including sinks, floor sinks, floor drains, garbage disposals, mop sinks and dishwashers, to confirm the device is sized right.
- 4Outside. The tallow bin and trash area should be clean, with no oil on the ground and dumpsters closed. Oil that reaches the storm drain is a separate Phoenix violation.
What Tempe adds
Tempe's page says service must come from a permitted hauler every 30 or 90 days depending on device size, records must be on site, the device must have no holes, missing or broken parts or severe corrosion, and all the right fixtures must be plumbed to it. Garbage disposals and food grinders are not permitted. Scottsdale says its Water Quality department inspects each restaurant.
Your right of access
Surprise's code gives any city employee showing credentials free access to a commercial premises at reasonable hours to inspect what is discharged to the sewer.
What to do
Keep a binder at the manager's station with the last three years of invoices, and know where the device lids are. If a problem is found, Phoenix's inspector prescribes a time frame to fix it, and extensions must be requested in writing. Read the maintenance log guide. Phoenix's registration steps are in the FOG program page.
Got a written requirement after the visit? Read what to do after a FOG violation notice.
For what wears a tank out, see how long a grease interceptor lasts and what makes it fail early. Some cities also require a spot to sample what leaves the interceptor; see grease interceptor sampling ports. For tanks an inspector flags as rotted, see why concrete grease interceptors corrode.