St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital is one of the largest and most important hospitals in Switzerland and plays a central role in healthcare provision in Eastern Switzerland. As a university teaching and research hospital, it is heavily involved in initial, continuing and further training, as well as in pioneering research projects. Previously, there were 652 beds available; following an expansion, this capacity has been increased to around 700 beds. The ‘come together’ construction project has given the hospital a modern, striking appearance whilst simultaneously optimising operational processes, cost-effectiveness and the quality of stay for patients and staff.
A key component of the refurbishment and extension project was the commercial kitchen in Building 25. The kitchen, which came into operation in 1990, was originally designed to produce 2,200 meals a day, but had since been processing around 4,500 meals a day. To cater for future demand from additional facilities, including the Eastern Switzerland Children’s Hospital, the expected requirements totalled up to 5,500 meals per day. As part of the comprehensive refurbishment and extension of the commercial kitchen, a high-performance grease separator was installed, which was welded on site. The system now utilises KESSEL’s largest currently installed separator, with a nominal size of NS 60, fitted with a SonicControl grease layer thickness measuring device. This solution enables continuous and precise monitoring of the grease layer thickness and the temperature within the grease separator using an ultrasonic sensor. Operators can thus provide verifiable evidence of low grease accumulation at any time and adjust disposal intervals as required. This meets the requirements of many local authorities and leads to a significant reduction in operating and disposal costs. At the same time, the system ensures safe and standard-compliant grease separation and contributes significantly to the operational safety of the wastewater treatment systems in the restaurant and kitchen areas of the hospital’s commercial kitchen.
In addition, stainless steel floor drains are used, which are designed as a particularly durable and hygienic drainage solution for the sensitive environment of the hospital kitchen. Manufactured from 1.4301 (V2A) stainless steel (optionally 1.4571 (V4A)), they are ideally suited to demanding food-processing environments. Thanks to a wide range of customisation options and optional accessories, the drainage elements could be precisely tailored to the structural and hygiene requirements of the premises, thereby contributing to the long-term safety and hygiene of kitchen operations.
