(a) Interior (indoor) floor drains to the sanitary sewer system may not be placed in areas where hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, industrial wastes, industrial process water, lubricating fluids, vehicle fluids or vehicle equipment cleaning wastewater are used or stored, unless secondary containment is provided for all such materials and equipment. The superintendent may allow an exception to this requirement under the following circumstances:
(1) When the drain is connected to a wastewater treatment unit approved by the superintendent;
(2) When the drain is protected from spills by a berm system;
(3) For safety showers: When the drain is installed with a temporary plug which remains closed except when the shower is in use, or when the drain is protected from spills by either a covered sump or berm system. If a sump is used, the capacity shall be at least as large as the largest chemical container in the laboratory;
(4) For industrial process equipment: If the equipment does not contain hazardous materials or hazardous waste and if all floor drains are equipped with fail-safe valves which shall be kept closed during periods of operation.
(b) Exterior (outdoor) drains may be connected to the sanitary sewer system only if the area in which the drain is located is covered or protected from rainwater run-on by berms and/or grading, and appropriate wastewater treatment approved by the superintendent is provided. For additional information regarding loading docks, see Section 16.09.175(k)
(c) Interior floor drains shall not be connected to the storm drain system.
(d) Exterior drains shall be connected to the storm drain system. Such connections shall not be permitted within the following areas:
(1) Equipment or vehicle washing areas;
(2) Areas where chemicals, hazardous materials, or other uncontained materials are stored unless secondary containment is provided;
(3) Equipment or vehicle fluid changing areas; or
(4) Loading docks: See Section 16.09.175(k).
(e) Roof drains may discharge to the storm drain system, provided that all roof equipment, tanks, and pipes containing other than potable water, cooling system water, or heating system hot water have secondary containment.
(f) Boiler drain lines shall be connected to the sanitary sewer system and may not be connected or allowed to drain to the storm drain system.
(g) Secondary containment shall be provided for exterior work areas where motor oil, brake fluid, gasoline, diesel fuel, radiator fluid or other hazardous materials or hazardous wastes are used or stored. Drains shall not be installed within the secondary containment areas. The superintendent may allow a drain for work areas (but not for hazardous storage areas) if the secondary containment area is covered and if the drain is connected to a wastewater treatment facility approved by the superintendent.
(h) Aspirators connected to laboratory sink faucets are prohibited. Aspirators designed and used for transferring acids and bases from stationary, permanent laboratory sinks to treatment facilities shall be allowed.
(i) Laboratory countertops and laboratory sinks shall be separated by a berm which prevents hazardous materials spilled on the countertop from draining to the sink.
(j) Sewer traps below laboratory sinks shall be made of glass or other approved transparent materials to allow inspection and to determine frequency of cleaning. Alternatively, a removable plug for cleaning the trap may be provided, in which case a cleaning frequency shall be established by the superintendent. In establishing the cleaning frequency, the superintendent shall consider the recommendations of the facility. The superintendent will grant an exception to this requirement for areas where mercury will not be used; provided, that in the event such an exception is granted and mercury is subsequently used in the area, the sink trap shall be retrofitted to meet this requirement prior to use of the mercury.
(k) Loading docks.
(l) This paragraph covers loading docks constructed prior to August 8, 1994. In cases where chemicals, hazardous materials, grease, oil, or waste products are handled or used within the loading dock area, a drain to the sanitary sewer system or storm drain system may be allowed only if equipped with a fail-safe valve or equivalent device that is kept closed during the non-rainy season and during periods of loading dock operation. For drains connected to the sanitary sewer system the area in which the drain is located shall be covered or protected from rainwater run-on by berms and/or grading. Appropriate wastewater treatment approved by the superintendent shall be provided for all rainwater contacting the loading dock site.
(2) For loading docks constructed after August 8, 1994:
(i) Loading dock drains to the storm drain system may be allowed if equipped with a fail-safe valve or equivalent device that is kept closed during the non-rainy season and during periods of loading dock operation.
(ii) Where chemicals, hazardous materials, grease, oil, or waste products are handled or used within the loading dock area, a drain to the storm drain system shall not be allowed. A drain to the sanitary sewer system may be allowed if equipped with a fail-safe valve or equivalent device that is kept closed during the non-rainy season and during periods of loading dock operation. The area in which the drain is located shall be covered or protected from rainwater run-on by berms and/or grading. Appropriate wastewater treatment approved by the superintendent shall be provided for all rainwater contacting the loading dock site.
(Ord. 5084 § 2 (part), 2010)