Grease traps in Singapore F&B units: rules and reinstatement
Every food establishment in Singapore needs a grease trap. When an F&B lease ends, it’s one of the items landlords check closely at the handover.
Updated 26 October 2026
In short: PUB requires every food establishment in Singapore to have a grease trap, approved by NEA and PUB before installation and properly maintained. At the end of an F&B lease, the landlord decides whether the trap is kept, removed or decommissioned, so confirm it early in the reinstatement scope.
In this guide
Who needs a grease trap in Singapore
PUB requires all establishments that handle food, including restaurants, coffee shops and hawker centres, to have grease traps. Under the Sewerage and Drainage (Sanitary Works) Regulations, used water from food shops must go to the sewer through a grease trap.
Key rules
- Approval before installation: owners must get NEA’s and PUB’s approval before installing a grease trap.
- Kitchen water only: only water from the kitchen and food preparation area goes through the trap. Toilet and other sanitary drains bypass it.
- Access for maintenance: the trap should be placed where it can be reached easily for cleaning.
- Maintenance is a legal duty: failing to maintain a grease trap properly is an offence, and so is discharging oil and grease above the permitted limit.
Fats, oils and grease from food outlets are a major cause of blockages in the public sewers, which is why these rules are enforced.
What happens to the grease trap at reinstatement
When an F&B tenant leaves, the lease and the landlord’s handover checklist decide whether the grease trap stays or goes. Ask early, because the answer changes the scope and the timeline.
| If the landlord wants it… | Typical works |
|---|---|
| Kept for the next F&B tenant | Pump out and clean, check the cover and baffles, leave it in working order |
| Removed | Pump out and clean, disconnect, cap the pipes, remove the unit, make good the floor and drainage |
| Decommissioned in place | Clean, disconnect and seal as specified by the landlord or building management |
Where drainage connections change, the landlord or building management may need approvals or a licensed plumber. Build that into the reinstatement schedule.
Other F&B items landlords check
- Kitchen exhaust hood and ducting removed and openings sealed
- Gas and water points capped by licensed workers
- Cold rooms and kitchen equipment removed
- Wet-area tiles, floor traps and waterproofing restored to specification
- Walls and ceilings degreased, patched and painted
Plan F&B reinstatement early
Malls usually restrict noisy works to after trading hours and need a works permit before starting. Book a site survey 6–8 weeks before your handover date. See retail and F&B reinstatement for the full scope and a typical mall timeline.
Source: PUB grease trap requirements.
Signs a grease trap needs attention before handover
- Slow-draining sinks and floor traps in the kitchen
- Strong odours from the trap or drains
- Visible grease build-up around the trap cover
- A cracked or missing cover or damaged baffles
Cleaning and repairing these before the joint inspection avoids remarks from the landlord, even if the trap is staying for the next tenant.
Fitting out a new kitchen instead? See epoxy flooring for kitchens for floors that handle grease and wash-downs.
Related guides
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Questions we get asked
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Is a grease trap compulsory for F&B in Singapore?
Yes. PUB requires all establishments that handle food, including restaurants, coffee shops and hawker centres, to have grease traps.
Who approves a grease trap installation?
Owners need NEA’s and PUB’s approval before installing a grease trap.
Do I have to remove the grease trap when my lease ends?
It depends on the lease and the landlord. Some landlords keep it for the next F&B tenant; others require removal and making good.
Can toilet water go into the grease trap?
No. Only kitchen and food preparation water goes through the grease trap. Toilet and other sanitary drains bypass it.
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