Coffee Shop Floor Drain Placement
When designing a coffee shop, it's easy to overlook such small things as selecting the right floor drain and floor drain placement. However, a poorly placed or inadequate drain can lead to a variety of issues, such as cleaning challenges, unpleasant odors, standing water, and even health hazards. To avoid these problems, it's important to take the time to carefully consider your options and choose the right floor drain and placement for your coffee shop.
Floor drains need to be placed to allow for drainage of the large amount of water that a coffee shop uses. The espresso machine and Ice machine will need a floor drain and so will your all of your various sinks. Getting the right size Floor drain installed in the right locations with the right material and style of grate can affect the day-to-day working conditions of your coffee shop. Floor drains are common bottlenecks in retrofitted locations. As previous drains were only expecting a hand sink or something they are now dealing with a three-group espresso machine and an ice machine….yep that’s a recipe for flooding.
Here are some factors to consider when selecting the right floor drain:
Drainage capacity: Depending on the size of your coffee shop and the volume of customers you expect to have, you'll need to choose a floor drain that can handle the appropriate amount of water flow. A smaller coffee shop with low traffic may need only a capacity of 2-3 gallons per minute (GPM), while a larger coffee or even a small shop that sees a lot of traffic may require a drain with a capacity of 10-15 GPM. Another consideration is how many sinks or pieces of equipment are all draining to that same floor drain. One-hand sink is obviously a lot less GPM required than a floor drain that captures your ice machine, espresso machine, hand wash sink, and dump sink. Knowing your estimated output of each piece of equipment can help to make this calculation. Another consideration is just to overcompensate with your floor sink allowing a nice sized reservoir for water capture. If you don’t have the luxury of placing your floor drains from scratch you will need to be cognizant of the drainage potential of each drain and layout your sinks and equipment to properly spread the GPM of drainage required.
Material: Floor drains can be made from a variety of materials, including stainless steel, plastic, and cast iron. Stainless steel is the most durable and long-lasting option, while plastic is lightweight and easy to install. Cast iron is a heavier option but offers excellent corrosion resistance and durability. Consider where in the coffee shop each will be placed. If it’s in a trafficked' area you will want to get a durable one. Whereas, if it’s only under a sink, you can save a few bucks getting the plastic ones (double check your local city planning and health code allows this material.)
Grate style: The grate is part of the floor drain that sits on top of the floor and allows water to flow through while preventing debris from entering. Grate styles can vary, with options including slotted, perforated, and tile-in grates. Consider which grate style will be most suitable for your coffee shop's flooring and aesthetics. Another consideration is what has to pass over it. Dolly wheels, women’s heels, etc can get caught in certain shapes so be aware and save yourself the headache of lifting the dolly with hundreds of pounds of deliveries out of the slated grate.
Cleaning and maintenance: Choose a floor drain that’s easy to clean and maintain, as this will save you time and money in the long run. Look for models that can be easily disassembled and cleaned, with removable grates and strainers which can be great to protect your pipes from debris, which can lead to your pipes backing up over time. Cleaning the grates and the drain sink itself on a regular cadence is an essential practice to keep away foul odors.
Once you've chosen the right floor drain, it's important to consider the placement. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Floor slope: The floor of your coffee shop should be sloped towards the drain to ensure proper drainage. Make sure the drain is located at the lowest point in the room and that the floor slopes uniformly towards it.
Traffic flow: Consider the traffic flow of your coffee shop and place the drain in a location where it won't be obstructed by customers or equipment. You'll also want to make sure it's easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance.
Equipment placement: Think about where your coffee-making equipment will be located and make sure the drain is placed nearby. This will help prevent spills and make cleaning up easier.
Local regulations: Each county and sometimes even cities inside a county can each have its own rules and requirements for city planning and health board requirements. Check local regulations to ensure your floor drain placement complies with regulations.
By taking the time to choose the right floor drain and placement for your coffee shop, you'll be able to prevent potential issues and ensure a safe and clean environment for your customers and employees.
Why does it matter where I put my floor drains?
If floor drains are not placed in the best locations, it can lead to a range of issues and costs in the future. Here are some of the potential problems you may face:
Difficulty Cleaning: Floor Drains need consistently cleaned to not build up gunk. They should be on a consistent cleaning schedule as part of your general cafe’s cleaning protocol. If they are not in an easily accessible location they will not be cleaned regularly and they will have become a breeding ground for bacteria and debris.
Standing Water: If your floor drains are not in the best location, water may collect in certain areas of your coffee shop, leading to standing water. This can create a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can be hazardous to the health of your customers and employees.
Unpleasant Odors: Standing water can also lead to unpleasant odors, which can drive customers away from your coffee shop. If the odors are severe, you may need to hire a professional cleaning service to address the problem.
Health Code Violations: Improper placement of floor drains can lead to violations of health codes and regulations. This can result in fines, lost business, and damage to your reputation.
Increased Maintenance Costs: If your floor drains are not in the best location, you may need to hire a professional cleaning service more frequently to address issues such as standing water and unpleasant odors. This can lead to increased maintenance costs over time.
Equipment Damage: If water is not properly drained from your coffee shop, it can cause damage to your equipment, such as your coffee machines or refrigerators. This can result in costly repairs or replacements.
Safety Hazards: Standing water can also create safety hazards for your customers and employees. If someone slips and falls, or the health inspector decides to visit. There can be some financial headaches you just don’t want to of which you just don’t want to have to deal.
Ease of Work: We are fans of floor troughs as a great floor drain. This can be exceptionally useful at the espresso station, drip coffee station, and slow bar resolving stress from any spills that may occur in these high-liquid areas. This is also true for bars at the taps. Another is running the drip coffee station and the ice machine off the same trough with rubber waterproof, slip-proof mats over top. Making for easy draining of air pots at the end of the day as well as easy cleaning throughout the day.
These are just considerations. Each space is a one-of-a-kind project. It can be hard to see all the details and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you are looking for further support a coffee consultant can help. A professional consultant has the knowledge and experience to understand the requirements of city planning, including the placement of floor drains and other essential elements. By working with a consultant, you can ensure that your coffee shop is compliant with local regulations and meets the highest standards for health and safety.