Things To Think About When Installing Food Industry Piping Systems
The food manufacturing industry is subject to many strict regulations to ensure food safety and protect consumers. One of the things that many people don't realize is that every aspect of the food manufacturing industry is subject to these regulations, including the piping systems used in manufacturing and product delivery systems. Here are a few things that you should know.
What Are The Core Standards For Food Industry Materials?
The materials used in food manufacturing must be easily accessible for cleaning every surface. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces are essential, and everything must be made with anti-microbial properties and the ability to thoroughly treat them with microbiological cleansers.
Piping systems must be crafted with sufficient airflow to prevent any condensation buildup. Condensation can lead to mold spores and bacteria contamination, so adequate airflow is essential for safety.
What Factors Should You Consider?
Every surface used in your piping system infrastructure must be smooth and non-porous. This ensures that no particles can become trapped anywhere along the path, which is essential for safety. The pipes should be continuous and seamless because seams create cracks, even fine cracks, that can harbor bacteria and particles.
Piping material should be non-absorbent and non-corrosive as well. Remember that your piping materials will be exposed to a variety of ingredients and cleaners, so you need to prevent any kind of contamination from corrosion and particles.
Materials must also be non-toxic. Stainless steel, for example, is a popular option because it cannot leach any kind of toxic metals or chemicals into the ingredients that come into contact with the surface.
Are There Specific Cleaning Considerations?
Every food production facility is obligated to adhere to strict cleaning and disinfection procedures to keep the systems safe and free of contamination. The piping infrastructure you install must be easy to clean without concerns about any surfaces being missed. Look for systems that you can flush with high-pressure anti-microbial, disinfecting cleaner to reach every area of the piping system and ensure that everything is clean. Institute checks and balances to ensure that the piping is maintained and cleaned on a regular basis.
The more you understand about the requirements for safety in food industry piping, the easier it is for you to ensure compliance. Take the steps necessary to find the right piping materials and then make sure that your staff keeps those materials as clean as possible. These are some of the most important things to think about along the way.
Learn more about food industry piping systems.