FoodSafe stainless trench drains

6 reasons to use trench drains in food processing plants

1. Hygiene and sanitation. Food processing plants need high levels of cleanliness to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria, contaminants and pathogens. Trench drains collect and drain away water, cleaning agents and waste before they pool on the floor — maintaining a hygienic environment and reducing contamination risk.
2. Effective liquid management. Food plants generate large volumes of liquid waste: water, oils, juices and cleaning solutions. Trench drains provide an efficient, centralized system to channel these liquids to the drainage system or treatment facility, and minimize slip-and-fall hazards.
3. Preventing cross-contamination. Plants have separate areas for raw material handling, processing, packaging and waste disposal. Trench drains with proper slope and separation create physical barriers between these areas — for example, between processing zones to keep raw materials away from finished products.
4. Compliance with regulations. Food plants must meet strict hygiene, sanitation and wastewater regulations. Trench drains provide a designated, easy-to-clean path for liquid waste, helping demonstrate compliance during inspections and audits.
5. Easy maintenance and cleaning. Removable grates and covers allow thorough cleaning of the channel. Regular cleaning keeps drains working and prevents blockages that lead to standing water and bacterial growth.
6. Customization and adaptability. Trench drains offer flexibility in design and configuration: widths, slopes and load ratings fit your plant layout, and they integrate with floor coatings, pipe connections and wastewater treatment.

Stainless slot drains

Food-safe stainless slot drains are an essential part of a food processing facility's infrastructure — helping ensure food safety, sanitation and efficient operations, and meeting the industry's high standards and regulatory requirements.

Channel (trough) trench

Choosing between bar grate covers and solid covers depends on your facility's requirements and debris exposure. Consider the maintenance effort you're willing to invest, the surrounding environment and the balance you want between water flow and debris prevention. Regular cleaning is crucial for both cover types.

Pre-sloped stainless trench drains

1/8" – 1/4" per foot is standard. With state-of-the-art equipment we can also fabricate food processing equipment — we can do it all.