Can staff use a hand sink for anything other than handwashing?

No. Most Canadian health units expect hand sinks to be used only for washing hands, kept clear of dishes and food, and stocked with soap and a way to dry hands, usually single-use paper towels. Dumping liquids or rinsing utensils in one can lead to an inspection finding, so give staff a separate prep or mop sink for those jobs.

Does a hand sink need hot water?

Most health units expect hot and cold running water at every hand sink, usually through a mixing faucet so the water reaches a comfortable temperature, and some set a minimum temperature. The water heater and plumbing need to supply each hand sink, so confirm the requirement with your health unit and plumber.

Is a portable hand sink acceptable?

Self-contained portable hand sinks with their own water tanks and heaters are used at events, markets and temporary sites where plumbing is not available. Whether one is accepted for a permanent kitchen or a food truck depends on your health unit, so ask before buying.

How much do commercial hand sinks cost?

List prices on Norpex range from $37.50 to $9,879.99 CAD, with a median of $192 across 46 priced models; prices are list prices before tax and shipping.

Which brands of commercial hand sinks do you carry?

Norpex lists 46 commercial hand sinks. The brands with the most models listed are Omcan with 16, Norpex with 13, Thorinox with 9 and Winholt with 8.

Do you ship commercial hand sinks across Canada?

Norpex ships to delivery addresses across Canada. Equipment ships from distributor warehouses, so dispatch timing depends on the supplier and the destination. For items that can be bought online, shipping is calculated at checkout from live carrier rates for the delivery address and confirmed before payment. There is no automatic free-shipping or flat-rate offer.

Commercial Hand Sinks in Canada

Hand sinks are small basins reserved for handwashing, placed where staff can reach them from prep, cooking, dish and service areas without crossing the kitchen. Wall-mount, pedestal and drop-in styles are common, with options such as knee, foot or sensor valves, side splashes and built-in soap and towel dispensers. Restaurants, cafes, bars, bakeries and food trucks all install them, and most Canadian health units set rules on where they go and how they are stocked.

About commercial hand sinks

Before you buy

Ask your local public health unit how many hand sinks the layout needs and where they must be placed before choosing models.
Consider hands-free operation, such as knee valves, foot pedals or sensor faucets, so staff do not touch the handle again with clean hands.
Confirm whether the faucet, drain, P-trap and wall bracket are included, and whether the faucet mixes hot and cold water through one spout.
Add side splashes when a hand sink sits next to a prep table or open food, so water does not spray onto clean surfaces.
Plan room for soap and paper towel dispensers and a waste bin beside each sink, unless the model has dispensers built in.

Common questions

Can staff use a hand sink for anything other than handwashing?: No. Most Canadian health units expect hand sinks to be used only for washing hands, kept clear of dishes and food, and stocked with soap and a way to dry hands, usually single-use paper towels. Dumping liquids or rinsing utensils in one can lead to an inspection finding, so give staff a separate prep or mop sink for those jobs.
Does a hand sink need hot water?: Most health units expect hot and cold running water at every hand sink, usually through a mixing faucet so the water reaches a comfortable temperature, and some set a minimum temperature. The water heater and plumbing need to supply each hand sink, so confirm the requirement with your health unit and plumber.
Is a portable hand sink acceptable?: Self-contained portable hand sinks with their own water tanks and heaters are used at events, markets and temporary sites where plumbing is not available. Whether one is accepted for a permanent kitchen or a food truck depends on your health unit, so ask before buying.
How much do commercial hand sinks cost?: List prices on Norpex range from $37.50 to $9,879.99 CAD, with a median of $192 across 46 priced models; prices are list prices before tax and shipping.
Which brands of commercial hand sinks do you carry?: Norpex lists 46 commercial hand sinks. The brands with the most models listed are Omcan with 16, Norpex with 13, Thorinox with 9 and Winholt with 8.
Do you ship commercial hand sinks across Canada?: Norpex ships to delivery addresses across Canada. Equipment ships from distributor warehouses, so dispatch timing depends on the supplier and the destination. For items that can be bought online, shipping is calculated at checkout from live carrier rates for the delivery address and confirmed before payment. There is no automatic free-shipping or flat-rate offer.

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