12 replies to this topic

[bnue]

We recently had an audit and amongst a couple of things that the auditor recommended, one of them was compressed air testing.

 

Has anyone done this? Is this a requirement? As per SQF - the site must verify and validate that the compressed air used in the facility is appropriate for use and not a source of contamination.

 

I asked around and the cost of renting the kit is about $1500 and if you want to buy it, it is $6500! Any thoughts or suggestions on how to address this?

 

Thanks

[jalvarado]

I used the attached documents to help write a procedure for testing within our facility.  Maybe they can help you.

Attached Files

•  Air Sampling - Microbial Update.pdf   252.73KB   173 downloads
•  Compressed Air in Food Plants - White Paper.pdf   504.24KB   149 downloads

[jk@calrice]

We have also had this request under the BRC platform and have used airtesting.com to comply. The initial testing for base line was about $900 and we perform this quarterly now.  I am not sure if the auditor required any details on what to test for as our did not.  The main issue is with oils from your compressors that could be pumped into the airlines and then contaminate food contact surfaces.  

[leet222]

www.rocketairlabs.com

 

 

Try Rocket Air Labs in Toluca, Illinois. We used them to do our baseline.

[Miss Tammy]

We use MEA air plates.  10 bucks for a pack of 10.  We buy ours from EMSL.  We use them to test air used for cleaning, opening bags, air handlers, etc.  We are BRC ceritified "A" and have never had a problem.  We test 4 different areas monthly.

[SQFconsultant]

Tammy - interestingly enough we just posted an article on SQF compressed air testing on our blog - here's the link:

Edited by Simon, 06 March 2014 - 09:31 PM.
Link removed - please post your comments / ideas on the forum

[roseann]

I take monthly compressed air and ambient air samples myself per our WI; then send the Petri dishes to an outside certified lab for testing.

 

This seems to satisfy the AIB Auditors

[Simon]

You may want to consider Trace Analytics, LLC - an accredited compressed air testing lab. 

They have a couple of videos in our library, you can view them here >>

[bnue]

You may want to consider Trace Analytics, LLC - an accredited compressed air testing lab. 

They have a couple of videos in our library, you can view them here >>

I did call them,very helpful however just for micro quote is $1577.50

[teodymayojr]

I used the attached documents to help write a procedure for testing within our facility.  Maybe they can help you.

 

 

thanks for this. very good information. 

[Charles.C]

Dear All,

 

This thread is suggested as another discussion source on current topic -

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...ion/#entry63923

 

(includes the attachments in post #2 of this thread but thanks anyway )

 

Rgds / Charles.C

[olshanka]

www.rocketairlabs.com

 

 

Try Rocket Air Labs in Toluca, Illinois. We used them to do our baseline.

 

Rocket Air Labs is affordable but takes about 2+ weeks to respond to any request and for that I would only give it 1 out of 5. Been waiting over 2 months to get our annual tests done.

[dbehrmann]

We have had excellent results for our Compressed Air tests from the below -- the turn around results are generally within 48 hrs--very easy to use with after-hours support group.  Our Mold and Bacteria test take 3 weeks -- as it takes time for cultures to grow if they're going to...They are an accredited lab.   They send you a kit, you run the test and then return everything back to them for testing.

TRI Air Testing, Inc
1607 N. Cuernavaca Drive, Suite 500
Austin, TX  78733-1600
(51) 263-2101
http://www.airtesting.com

 

Regards,

Daphne