2 replies to this topic

[Ms_Darya]

Hey everybody!

Reading the IFSQN forum throughout six mounths, i`ve decided to put my questions here. I`m the QA manager in chips producing company from Latvia. To achieve BRC/ IFS certificates (bouth ISO we already have) we started to build new factory (oldes tone is not repairable). At the starts (to prevent mistakes) we are going through all points in BRC/ IFS certificates. Here are some questions i cannot asnwer at:
1) with what things (walls, blinds etc.) we can divide our production lines, to avoid of product contamination during temporary repairs?
2) Can mechanics workshop be in the end of raw material warehouse? So everyday, to repair something in production line, mechanics need to pass through raw material ware house, then by corridor enters in production zone.
3) With what we need to separate packaging zone (with wall, blinds etc.) ?
4) Is it needs to separate waste zone with special signs or i can do that only in plan?
and most discussable question
5) If we have ceilings in heigh 8 m, we will use the artificial overheads. space enter them will be~1,5m. The question - is it obligate to clean this space (enter ceilings and overheads) or we can montage artificial overheads without any holes, and we will have no posibilities to clean space enter ceilings and overheads?

I hope you understand me and my english. )))

waiting for your answers

Darya :)

[Jason H.Z.C.]

Hi Ms Darya,

For your questions, below are my proposals:

1) with what things (walls, blinds etc.) we can divide our production lines, to avoid of product contamination during temporary repairs?

Movable partition walls can be placed around the breakdown machine, it is suggested all production activities are suspended. Open semi-products should be shielded(e.g. covered by plastic boards). After repair working done, please note clean the environment and checking if all repairing tools are not left on site. After the positive release checking, you can resume your production.

2) Can mechanics workshop be in the end of raw material warehouse? So everyday, to repair something in production line, mechanics need to pass through raw material ware house, then by corridor enters in production zone.

Normally engeering workshop should be segregated from the material preparation area as well as production hall. I suggest you open a door in production hall solely for
the entrance or exit of the repair assistent machines, or you can move the breakdown equipment out of the production hall through the new opened door. When normal production, the door should be always kept locked and closed.

3) With what we need to separate packaging zone (with wall, blinds etc.) ?

Before sparate your packing zone from other production areas, you should make sure two things firstly: 1, Is the packing zone a high risk area? 2, Do the packages(e.g. it is a glass container) pose a risk to the under-packing semi-products? Those situations do need you segregated the packing zone from the other processes(e.g. construct an individual dedicated room for packing activities).

4) Is it needs to separate waste zone with special signs or i can do that only in plan?

In standards you are required to remove the waste from the production zone as soon as possible to avoid the accumulation of the waste. Thus a dedicated room for tempororily storing waste is recommended. And for easy identification you can label a sign to inform people it is a waste storage room.

and most discussable question
5) If we have ceilings in heigh 8 m, we will use the artificial overheads. space enter them will be~1,5m. The question - is it obligate to clean this space (enter ceilings and overheads) or we can montage artificial overheads without any holes, and we will have no posibilities to clean space enter ceilings and overheads?

The space kept between the ceiling and the roof is facilitate the cleaning activity and the inspection to the presence of pest(e.g. rodent). Dirty environment do promote the presence of pest. Thus I propose you keep the cleaning schedule in this area no matter the ceiling is sealed well or not.

Only my five cents opinion, factory professional in this forum could give more advises than mine .

By the way, welcome to the forum ,

Best regards,

Jason

[ROOKIE]

Hi Darya

We are aslo going through the same process of building a factory from scratch, it is nice to start with a blank piece of paper so that we can get the layout flow and people flow correct. Perhaps we can share ideas.

In answer to your questions here are my views based on my experience.

Temporary repairs should always be done outside of production hours so there is no need for specific divide unless there is a chance of product contamination wherby a partition will be needed and good engineering practices applied.

Mechanic workshop can be in raw materials or in production but have a closed door and they need a swarf mat near the entrance of the door. They will need to wash their hands before entering production so a sink in the workshop or on entry from raw materials to production is required.

Waste should be removed regualry you don;t need a specific waste room, sometimes they can be harbourage for future problems related to hygiene and pests.

Artifical ceilings is something we are dsicussing too, our engineering deapartment wants to have one to hide all cables etc from dust. I'm not totally agaisnt them but they need to be accessible and have enough room so someone can easily walk areound for cleaning, checking on internal audits and your pest control company should also inspect this area they can be a nice home for rodents.

Hope this helps
Rookie