Restaurant & Commercial Hand Sinks
Though precise rules vary by location, all foodservice establishments are required to have at least one hand sink to comply with health codes. Select the type and number of hand wash sinks your operation needs here.
A hand sink is used for one primary purpose: hand washing. A hand wash sink is required solely for its namesake purpose in foodservice operations and cannot also be used for vegetable preparation or dishwashing. Depending on local health codes, multiple hand washing sinks may be required throughout the establishment; for example, they could be required to be located near cook lines, prep areas, or time clocks. It's up to the operator to familiarize themselves with these rules and regulations.
In addition to deciding the number and locations of commercial hand sinks, operators must also determine the type, size, and features that make the most sense in their establishment. Commercial hand sinks come in a variety of types, including floor-mount, freestanding, pedestal, portable, and wall-mount styles. Which type you should purchase depends on kitchen space, available plumbing, and the purpose of the sink. Operators must consider the overall dimensions of the hand sink as well as the size of the bowl. Individual sinks are typically up to 14 inches long, 10 inches wide, and up to 9 inches deep, while high-volume operations can make use of trough-style sinks. Intended for high-volume operations with large staffs, these can be over 6 feet or more in length, enabling multiple users to wash their hands at once.
Commercial hand wash sinks typically have a utilitarian design, but some models are available with special features can be added if needed. Lockable doors, paper towel dispensers, pedal valves, side splashes, sink skirts, and touch-free faucets are among the many additions compatible with hand sinks. Most hand sinks include splash-mounted faucets, but many come with deck-mounted faucets; some options include holes for a deck- or splash-mounted faucet but will not include the faucet, and a few will include neither the faucet nor the pre-drilled faucet holes. Restaurant hand sinks are typically made of stainless steel, providing durability in addition to rust and corrosion resistance.