Coffee Shop Build-Out: Drainage?

[jsab]

What's up guys? I'm pretty new to the forum but have already received some really great information and feedback.

I'm in the early stages of starting a coffee shop in Florida. I have been talking with the city and they have notified me that I don't need a floor drain since we are not a food establishment... But espresso machine's say they need drainage underneath. Should/Can I just use a bucket of sorts to collect the drainage and empty it overnight?

Also, I need a mop sink as a part of the requirements. Does anybody know if it can be just a normal sink that is "labeled" as a mop sink, or does it have to be a certain type of sink on the floor?

This is my first business and the contracting/building code phase is by far the most intimidating. Any feedback helps - thanks folks!

 

[chast]

it all depends on your inspector. Mop sinks are pretty cheap. Look at Webstaurantstore.com. They have some great prices. If you can away with not installing a drain for the espresso machine go for it, but be prepared for the plumbing inspector to say no.
I have found that if you sit down with the proper inspectors and discuss options it usually works in your favor.

 

[peterjschmidt]

Any way you can tie the espresso machine's drip tray into the drain the mop sink uses?

 

[jsab]

I noticed in a local cafe that they have their espresso machine connected to a tube for drainage and the tube empties into a funnel sort of, which is connected to a pipe, which runs off somewhere probably into the mop sink or floor drain. So that relieves some pressure about that.

 

[chast]

sometimes things should be installed after the initial inspection. For example, most espresso machines are not UL approved. That means they are not allowed in a commercial setting but there are hundreds of shops that have non-UL equipment and are getting away with it. MA is hellbent on UL approved and there are several larger cafes that have Slayers. Slayer is not UL approved. Talk to a plumber and see what shortcuts if any, can be installed. If you are installing an ice machine then that will also need a drain, maybe tie in if they are on the same counter.