ASTM F917-19

Standard Specification for Commercial Food Waste Disposers

ABSTRACT
This specification covers commercial food waste disposers intended for the grinding of food waste. Commercial disposers shall be of two types, namely: Type and Type II. The materials shall conform to the specified requirements and include the following: corrosion resistant steel, aluminum alloy, abrasion-resistant cast iron, austenitic gray iron, copper tube, brass pipe, alloy steel, black and galvanized pipe, and gaskets and seals. The disposer construction requirements including requirements for the following are detailed: (1) valves and fittings, (2) hopper (upper housing), (3) grind chamber (lower housing), (4) shredded ring, (5) flywheel, (6) cutting teeth, (7) water seal, (8) bearings, (9) motor, (10) wiring and circuit protective devices, (11) support leg(s), and (12) plating, coating, and painting. Leakage and operations test shall be performed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers commercial food waste disposers intended for the grinding of food waste.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 9, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2019
• ICS: 13.030.40 - Installations and equipment for waste disposal and treatment
• Technical Committee: F26 - Food Service Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F26.01 - Cleaning and Sanitation Equipment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F917-14 - Standard Specification for Commercial Food Waste Disposers
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM A53/A53M-24 - Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM A532/A532M-10(2023) - Standard Specification for Abrasion-Resistant Cast Irons
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3951-18(2023) - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023
• Refers: ASTM A436-84(2020) - Standard Specification for Austenitic Gray Iron Castings
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM B43-20 - Standard Specification for Seamless Red Brass Pipe, Standard Sizes
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM F104-11(2020) - Standard Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D2287-19 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer and Copolymer Molding and Extrusion Compounds
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM A532/A532M-10(2019) - Standard Specification for Abrasion-Resistant Cast Irons
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM B26/B26M-18 - Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings
• Effective Date: 15-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM D3951-18 - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM F760-93(2017) - Standard Specification for Food Service Equipment Manuals
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM D3951-15 - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM A29/A29M-15 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM B43-15 - Standard Specification for Seamless Red Brass Pipe, Standard Sizes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015

Overview

ASTM F917-19 – Standard Specification for Commercial Food Waste Disposers provides comprehensive requirements for the construction, performance, testing, and documentation of commercial food waste disposers. These devices are designed to grind food waste into small particles, allowing for efficient disposal through sanitary sewer systems in commercial kitchens and food service environments. The standard focuses on defining material quality, mechanical design, safety, and performance testing, ensuring reliable and sanitary operation in demanding commercial settings.

Key Topics

ASTM F917-19 addresses several critical areas to guarantee the durability and effectiveness of commercial food waste disposers:

• Material Requirements: Specifies accepted materials such as corrosion-resistant steel, aluminum alloy, abrasion-resistant cast iron, austenitic gray iron, brass, copper, and various types of steel pipe. All materials must be free from defects that could impact performance or maintenance.
• Construction and Design: Details required components including valves and fittings, hoppers, grind chambers, shredder rings, flywheels, cutting teeth, water seals, bearings, motors, wiring, support legs, and protective finishes. Each component has minimum material thicknesses and hardness criteria.
• Classification and Types: Commercial food waste disposers are classified based on installation method-cone, sink, trough-mounted, free-standing, or special configurations-with horsepower and drain sizes tailored to light, medium, or heavy-duty applications.
• Safety and Compliance: Requires conformance to UL 430 (Waste Disposers) and ASSE 1009 (Commercial Food Waste Disposer Units) for electrical safety and operational reliability.
• Identification and Documentation: Disposers must be permanently marked with manufacturer and model information. Installation and operation manuals must meet ASTM F760 standards.
• Performance Testing: Enforces leakage and operation tests in line with manufacturer best practices, ensuring no fluid loss during use.
• Packaging: Packaging must comply with ASTM D3951 to meet shipping and handling requirements.

Applications

Commercial food waste disposers designed and built to ASTM F917-19 are ideal for:

• Restaurants, hotels, and institutional kitchens needing robust and reliable waste management solutions.
• Food service facilities looking for sanitary disposal of organic kitchen waste.
• Catering operations and industrial kitchens managing high volumes of food preparation waste.
• Facilities prioritizing safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in waste disposal.
• Supporting sustainability initiatives by reducing landfill waste through proper food waste grinding and sewage disposal.

Complying with this standard helps operators ensure their commercial food waste disposers are durable, safe, and interchangeable across installations, reducing downtime and long-term maintenance costs.

Related Standards

Several referenced standards and publications provide further guidance on materials and testing for commercial food waste disposers, including:

• ASTM A29/A29M – Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy
• ASTM A53/A53M – Steel Pipe, Black and Hot-Dipped, Welded and Seamless
• ASTM A240, A276, A582 – Stainless Steel Specifications
• ASTM A532/A532M, A436 – Cast Iron Specifications
• ASTM B26/B26M, B108, B43, B75 – Aluminum Alloys, Copper, and Brass Tubing
• ASTM D2000, D2287, F104 – Gaskets and Nonmetallic Materials
• ASTM F760 – Equipment Manuals for Food Service
• UL 430 – Waste Disposers Electrical Safety
• ASSE 1009 – Commercial Food Waste Disposer Units

Implementing ASTM F917-19 helps ensure compliance with both safety and performance criteria, supporting efficient, sanitary waste disposal and ongoing operational excellence in commercial kitchens.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F917 −19 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Commercial Food Waste Disposers
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF917;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope A532/A532M Specification for Abrasion-Resistant Cast
Irons
1.1 Thisspecificationcoverscommercialfoodwastedispos-
A554 Specification for Welded Stainless Steel Mechanical
ers intended for the grinding of food waste.
Tubing
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
A582/A582M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Steel Bars
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
A681 Specification for Tool Steels Alloy
and are not considered standard.
B26/B26M Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Sand Cast-
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
ings
test method portion, Section 9, of this specification: This B43 Specification for Seamless Red Brass Pipe, Standard
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
Sizes
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user B75 Specification for Seamless Copper Tube (Metric)
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
B0075_B0075M
environmental practices and determine the applicability of B108 Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold
regulatory limitations prior to use.
Castings
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- D2000 Classification System for Rubber Products in Auto-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
motive Applications
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the D2287 Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and Copolymer Molding and Extrusion Compounds
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materi-
als
2. Referenced Documents
F760 Specification for Food Service Equipment Manuals
2.2 Other Publications:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ASSE No. 1009 Commercial Food Waste Disposer Units
A29/A29M SpecificationforGeneralRequirementsforSteel
UL 430 Waste Disposers
Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought
A53/A53M Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-
3. Terminology
Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless
A240 Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel 3.1 Definitions:
Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels 3.1.1 commercial food waste disposer—intended for grind-
and for General Applications ing food waste into small particles which are then flushed by
A276 Specification for Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes water into a sanitary sewer system. Food wastes can be cooked
A436 Specification for Austenitic Gray Iron Castings or noncooked soils from the preparation or serving of foods.
Disposers are not intended to be used for grinding glass, china,
metals, clam or oyster shells, large bones, wood, paper,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F26 on Food
cardboard, or plastic. A disposer shall consist of the following
Service Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F26.01 on
principal parts: Motor, grind chamber, flywheel, shredder ring,
Cleaning and Sanitation Equipment.
hopper, leg(s) (see 7.12).
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2019. Published November 2019. Originally
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F917 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/F0917-19.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from ASSE International, 18927 Hickory Creek Drive, Suite 220
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Mokena, Illinois 60448.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), 333 Pfingsten Rd.,
the ASTM website. Northbrook, IL 60062.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F917−19
4. Classification 6.1.7 Brass Pipe—Brass pipe used for water supply shall
conform to the requirements specified in Specification B43.
4.1 Commercial disposers shall be of the following types:
6.1.8 Alloy Steel—Alloy steel shall conform to the require-
4.1.1 Type 1—Cone.
ments specified in Specification A681 and Specification A29/
4.1.2 Type II—Sink.
A29M.
4.1.3 Type III—Trough mounted.
6.1.9 Black and Galvanized Pipe—Black and galvanized
4.1.4 Type IV—Free standing.
4.1.5 Type V—Special. pipe shall conform to the requirements specified in Specifica-
tion A53/A53M.
4.2 Horsepower and drain sizes shall be as specified in
6.1.10 Gaskets/Seals—All gaskets and seals shall conform
Table 1.
to the requirements specified in Specification D2287, Specifi-
5. Ordering Information
cation D2000, and Classification F104.
5.1 Purchasers should select the preferred options and
7. Construction Requirements
include the following information in purchasing document:
5.1.1 Title, number, and date of this standard.
7.1 General:
5.1.2 Type,horsepower,anddrainsizerequired(seeSection
7.1.1 Thedisposershallbecomplete,readyforwater,waste,
4).
and electrical connection; freestanding or with provision to
5.1.3 Electrical power supply characteristics (HP, voltage,
mount to sink, or cone, or trough, or special support mount.
phase, frequency).
7.1.2 The disposer shall grind soil by means of a rotating
5.1.4 Spare and maintenance parts required.
flywheel with cutting blocks coming in close contact with a
5.1.5 Control panel, manual, magnetic, special, or motor-
stationary shredder ring with multiple cutting edges. Finely
reversing control, manual or automatic.
ground soil is carried to drain by a continuous water flow.
5.1.6 Accessory equipment as required, such as: water
7.1.3 When supplied with a control panel, water flow shall
inlet(s), solenoid valve, vacuum breaker, flow control(s), sil-
begin automatically when the disposer is started, water flow
verware trap, and splash guard.
shall stop when the disposer is stopped, or water flow may
5.2 Interchangeability of Items—All disposers of the same
continue until a delay timer automatically shuts off the water.
model and material list designation furnished with similar
7.1.4 Water shall flow into the disposer from the hopper,
options under a specific purchase order shall be identical to the
cone, sink, trough, or special mount to which it is connected.
extent necessary to ensure interchangeability of component
parts, assemblies, accessories, and spare parts. 7.2 Valves and Fittings—Flow valves and fittings or fresh
water solenoid valves, or both, when
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F917 − 14 F917 − 19 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Commercial Food Waste Disposers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F917; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers commercial food waste disposers intended for the grinding of food waste.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 9, of this specification: This standard
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A29/A29M Specification for General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought
A53/A53M Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless
A240 Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for
General Applications
A276 Specification for Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes
A436 Specification for Austenitic Gray Iron Castings
A532/A532M Specification for Abrasion-Resistant Cast Irons
A554 Specification for Welded Stainless Steel Mechanical Tubing
A582/A582M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless Steel Bars
A681 Specification for Tool Steels Alloy
B26/B26M Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings
B43 Specification for Seamless Red Brass Pipe, Standard Sizes
B75 Specification for Seamless Copper Tube (Metric) B0075_B0075M
B108 Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings
D2000 Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications
D2287 Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer and Copolymer Molding and Extrusion Compounds
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
F760 Specification for Food Service Equipment Manuals
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F26 on Food Service Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F26.01 on Cleaning
and Sanitation Equipment.
Current edition approved June 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2019. Published July 2014November 2019. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
ε1
F917 – 91 (2008)F917 – 14. . DOI: 10.1520/F0917-14.10.1520/F0917-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F917 − 19
2.2 Other Publications:
ASSE No. 1009 Commercial Food Waste Disposer Units
UL 430 Waste Disposers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 commercial food waste disposer—intended for grinding food waste into small particles which are then flushed by water
into a sanitary sewer system. Food wastes can be cooked or noncooked soils from the preparation or serving of foods. Disposers
are not intended to be used for grinding glass, china, metals, clam or oyster shells, large bones, wood, paper, cardboard, or plastic.
A disposer shall consist of the following principal parts: Motor, grind chamber, flywheel, shredder ring, hopper, leg(s) (see 7.12).
4. Classification
4.1 Commercial disposers shall be of the following types:
4.1.1 Type 1—Cone.
4.1.2 Type II—Sink.
4.1.3 Type III—Trough mounted.
4.1.4 Type IV—Free standing.
4.1.5 Type V—Special.
4.2 Horsepower and drain sizes shall be as specified in Table 1.
5. Ordering Information
5.1 Purchasers should select the preferred options and include the following information in purchasing document:
5.1.1 Title, number, and date of this standard.
5.1.2 Type, horsepower, and drain size required (see Section 4).
5.1.3 Electrical power supply characteristics (HP, voltage, phase, frequency).
5.1.4 Spare and maintenance parts required.
5.1.5 Control panel, manual, magnetic, special, or motor-reversing control, manual or automatic.
5.1.6 Accessory equipment as required, such as: water inlet(s), solenoid valve, vacuum breaker, flow control(s), silverware trap,
and splash guard.
5.2 Interchangeability of Items—All disposers of the same model and material list designation furnished with similar options
under a specific purchase order shall be identical to the extent necessary to ensure interchangeability of component parts,
assemblies, accessories, and spare parts.
6. Materials and Design
6.1 All materials shall be as specified as follows:
6.1.1 Materials used shall be free from defects that would adversely affect the performance or maintenance ability of individual
components of the overall assembly.
6.1.2 Corrosion Resistant Steel—Corrosion-resistant steel and heat resisting steel shall conform to the requirements of any 300
or 400 series steel specified in Specifications A240, A554, A276, and A582/A582M.
6.1.3 Aluminum Alloy—Aluminum alloy shall conform to the requirements specified in Specification B108 or Specification
B26/B26M.
6.1.4 Abrasion-Resistant Cast Iron—Abrasion-resistant cast iron shall conform to the requirements specified in Specification
A532/A532M.
6.1.5 Austenitic Gray Iron—Austenitic gray iron shall conform to the requirements specified in Specification A436.
6.1.6 Copper Tube—Copper tube used for water supply shall conform to the requirements specified in Specification B75.
6.1.7 Brass Pipe—Brass pipe used for water supply shall conform to the requirements specified in Specification B43.
A
TABLE 1 Recommended Horsepower and Drain Size
Drain Light Duty Medium Duty Heavy Duty Flow Rate
1 3 1 1
Size ⁄2 ⁄4 1 1 ⁄4 1 ⁄2 2 3 5 7 10 GPM
1 ⁄2 in. (3.81 cm) X X X X X 5 (18.9 l/m)
2 in. (5.08 cm) X X X X X 8 (30.3 l/m)
3 in. (7.62 cm) X X X X X 10 (37.8 l/m)
A
More or less water may be used, depending on waste load, drain size, and configuration.
Available from ASSE International, 18927 Hickory Creek Drive, Suite 220 Mokena, Illinois 60448.
Available from Underwriters Laboratories
...