Compliance - Bottom Drain & Conveyor System

Safeguarding against hazards in the workplace reduces the risks associated with equipment operations. Bottom drains and conveyor systems are two ways to reduce the hazards associated with dipping, coating, and cleaning operations.

Bottom Drain

Dip tanks that contain more than 500 gallons of liquid must have a bottom drain. The exception to this rule includes dip tanks equipped with an automatic closing cover or if the viscosity of the liquid at normal atmospheric temperature does not allow the liquid to flow or be pumped easily.

Bottom drains are important components of dip tanks and must meet the following regulations:

• Bottom drains must empty the dip tank during a fire.
• Bottom drains must be properly trapped.
• Bottom drains must have pipes that permit the contents of the dip tank to be removed within five minutes after a fire begins.
• Bottom drains must discharge dip tank items to a safe location.

Any bottom drain must be capable of manual and automatic operation. Manual operation must occur from a safe and accessible location.

Employers must ensure that automatic pumps are used when gravity flow from the bottom drain is impractical.

Conveyor systems

Conveyor systems used in conjunction with dip tanks can reduce the hazards associated with dipping, coating, and cleaning operations by shutting down automatically if there is a fire or if the ventilation rate drops below a certain level.

To learn more about Dipping, Coating & Cleaning Operations visit our Dipping, Coating & Cleaning Operations Online Training web page.