Smaller Disposer Drains Okay Under Code Change
With more municipalities mandating disposers, many operators have found themselves installing more disposer than they really need. For commercial operations, most local plumbing codes follow the Int'l. Code Council's standard for a 2" drain to handle the waste. So most commercial disposers have a 2" throat to match code.
A lot of operations, however, don't generate that much food waste, so don't need that big a disposer. Fortunately, the ICC has seen fit to revise its plumbing code to reflect the use of smaller disposers in many foodservice applications. Commercial disposers now must be connected to a drain not less than 1 1/2" (38 mm) in diameter. A summary is available online at http://media.iccsafe.org/news/eNews/2009v6n14/codeupdate2009v6n14.pdf.
For more information, visit ICC at www.iccsafe.org.
Colorado Cuts Minimum Wage
Colorado's minimum-wage workers will take a pay cut starting Jan. 1. Colorado, one of ten states that tie minimum wage to the cost of living, recently adjusted its minimum wage downward by four cents an hour based on decreases in the cost of living in Colorado.
Despite a falling consumer price index elsewhere, other states are holding their minimum wages steady.
Colorado voters approved an adjustable minimum wage in 2006. Though proponents didn't intend for wages to decrease, the law says the state can do so. The minimum wage was lowered to $7.24 an hour from $7.28 based on a 0.6% decline in the CPI through August. Since the federal minimum wage is now $7.25 an hour, however, most employees paid minimum wage will earn only three cents an hour less, not four.
The state Department of Labor and Employment must hold public hearings this month on the wage change, but the drop looks certain. Three cents an hour may be pennies, but no doubt many foodservice operators will feel a little relief.
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Sponsor: Integrated Control Corp. 
