| (A) Water for milk plant purposes shall be from an adequate supply, properly located, protected, and operated. It shall be easily accessible and of a safe, sanitary quality. (B) The water supply shall be approved as safe by the State Water Control Authority and, in the case of individual water systems, complies with the specification outlined in Appendix D of the most current revision of the "Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance" which is adopted by reference in §217.2 of this title (relating to Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance), and the Bacteriological Standards outlined in Appendix G of the most current revision of the "Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance." (C) There shall be no cross-connection between the safe water supply and any unsafe or questionable water supply, or any source of pollution through which the safe water supply might become contaminated. A connection between the water supply piping and a make-up tank, such as for cooling or condensing, unless protected by an air gap or effective backflow preventer, constitutes a violation of this requirement. An approved air gap is defined as the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere of at least twice the diameter of the largest incoming water supply pipe or faucet to the flood level of the vessel or receptacle. The distance of the air gap is to be measured from the bottom of the potable inlet supply pipe or faucet to the top of the effective overflow, i.e., flood level rim or internal overflow, of the vessel. In no case, may the effective air gap be less than one inch (2.54 cm). (D) Condensing water for milk or milk product evaporators, and water used to produce vacuum and/or to condense vapors in vacuum heat processing equipment, shall be from a source complying with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. When approved by the department, water from sources not complying with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, may be used when the evaporator or vacuum heat equipment is constructed and operated to preclude contamination of such equipment, or its contents, by condensing water or by water used to produce vacuum. Means of preventing such contamination are: (i) use of a surface type condenser in which the condensing water is physically separated from the vapors and condensate; or (ii) use of reliable safeguards to prevent the overflow of condensing water from the condenser into the evaporator. Such safeguards include a barometric leg extending at least 35 feet vertically from the invert of the outgoing condensing water line to the free level at which the leg discharges, or a safety shutoff valve, located on the water feed line to the condenser, automatically actuated by a control which will shut off the in-flowing water when the water level rises above a predetermined point in the condenser. This valve may be actuated by water, air or electricity, and shall be designed so that failure of the primary motivating power will automatically stop the flow of water into the condenser. (E) Condensing water for milk or milk product evaporators, complying with subparagraph (D) of this paragraph, and water reclaimed from milk or milk products may be reused when all necessary means of protection are afforded and it complies with the procedures outlined in Appendix D, Part V of the most current revision of the "Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance." (F) New individual water supplies and water supply systems, which have been repaired or otherwise become contaminated, shall be disinfected before being placed in use. The supply shall be made free of the disinfectant by pumping to waste before any sample for bacteriological testing shall be collected. (G) Samples for bacteriological testing of individual water supplies shall be taken upon the initial approval of the physical structure, each six months thereafter, and when any repair or alteration of the water supply system has been made. Samples shall be taken by the department and examinations shall be conducted in an official laboratory. To determine if water samples have been taken at the frequency established in this section, the interval shall include the designated six month period plus the remaining days of the month in which the sample is due. (H) Current records of water test results are retained by the department. (I) A potable water supply, which meets the criteria of this section, may be connected to the product feed line of a steam vacuum evaporator, provided that the water supply is protected at the point of connection by an approved backflow prevention device. (2) Air under pressure which is in direct contact with milk and milk products and milk product-contact surfaces. (A) Filter media. Air intake and pipeline filters shall consist of fiberglass with a downstream backing dense enough to prevent fiberglass breakoff from passing through cotton flannel, wool flannel, spun metal, electrostatic material, or other equally acceptable filtering media, which are non-shedding and which do not release to the air, toxic volatiles or volatiles which may impart any flavor or odor to the milk or milk product. (B) Filter performance. Intake air filter efficiency shall be at least 98% using air cleaner coarse test dust. Final filter efficiency shall be at least 99% as measured by the Dioctylphthalate Fog Method (DOP) test (with a mean particle diameter of 0.3 microns). When commercially sterile air is required, the final filter efficiency shall be at least 99.99% as measured by the DOP test. (C) Air supply equipment. The compressing equipment shall be designed to preclude contamination of the air with lubricant vapors and fumes. Oil-free air may be produced by one of the following methods or their equivalent: (i) use of a carbon ring piston compressor; (ii) use of oil-lubricated compressor with effective provision for removal of any oil vapor by cooling the compressed air; or (iii) water-lubricated or non-lubricated blowers. The air supply shall be taken from a clean space or from relatively clean outer air and shall pass through a filter upstream from the compressing equipment. This filter shall be located and constructed so that it is easily accessible for examination and the filter media are easily removable for cleaning or replacing. The filter shall be protected from weather, drainage, water, product spillage, and physical damage. (D) Moisture removal equipment. Air under pressure systems in excess of one bar, i.e., 103.5 kPa (15 psi), shall be provided with methods of moisture removal. The removal of moisture may be achieved by condensation and coalescing filtration or absorption, or equivalent, to prevent free water in the system. If it is necessary to cool the compressed air, an after-cooler shall be installed between the compressor and the air storage tank for the purpose of removing moisture from the compressed air. (E) Filters and moisture traps. Filters shall be constructed so as to ensure effective passage of air through the filter media only. The coalescing filter and associated traps shall be located in the air pipeline downstream from the compressing equipment, and from the air tank, if one is used. The filter shall be readily accessible for examination, cleaning, and for replacing the filter media. The moisture trap shall be equipped with a petcock or other means for draining accumulated water. When coalescing filters are used, a means shall be provided to measure the differential pressure across the filter. The differential pressure device is required to indicate the need for filter media replacement. All coalescing filter housings shall be provided with a means of removing the condensed liquid from the filtration device. This can be accomplished by an automatic or manual drain installed on the base of the filter housing. The final filter media shall be disposable. The filter media shall be located in the air line upstream from, and as close as possible to, the point of application except that a final filter shall not be required where the compressing equipment is of a fan or blower type and operating at a pressure of less than one (1) bar, i.e., 103.5 kPa (15 psi). Electronic air cleaners utilizing electrostatic precipitation principles to collect particulate matter may be used. Disposable filter media shall not be cleaned and reused. (F) Air piping. The air piping from the compressing equipment to the filter and moisture trap shall be readily drainable. A milk or milk product check-valve of sanitary design shall be installed in the air piping, downstream from the disposable media filter, to prevent backflow of milk or milk product into the air pipeline, except that a check-valve shall not be required if the air piping enters the milk or milk product zone from a point higher than the milk or milk product overflow level, which is open to the atmosphere, or is for dry product applications, or for other dry application where liquids are not present. When a check-valve is not required, plastic or rubber or rubber-like tubing and suitable compatible fittings and connections made of plastic or stainless steel may be used between the final filter and the point of application. Air distribution piping and fittings after the final filter shall be of corrosion-resistant materials. Air distribution piping, fittings and gaskets between the discharge of the sanitary check-valve to the processing equipment shall be sanitary piping. Cont'd... |
