SQF Packaging 13.3.6.1 (Staff Amenities)
I noticed while on a plant tour while auditing 13.3 Personal Hygiene & Welfare that our bathrooms on the production floor do not meet the requirements of 13.3.6.1 (Staff amenities supplied with appropriate lighting and ventilation) We have adequate lighting not ventilation. My question is since the standard doesn't really say what type of ventilation, are we talking about a type of ventilation fan that vents to outside?
What do you have in your bathrooms on the production floor? If you even have them?
Thanks In Advance,
Loni
I would say appropriate ventillation would create negative air pressure in the bathroom so that odors do not escape the entryway. If you have a door that's easier, if you have a visibility impairment hallway that takes a lot more venting. We've got simple bathroom ceiling fans.
Our clients vent to the outside - maintaining positive air, be sure to consult with a qualified person on this. Can't vent to production for instance and I assume doorways open inward and do not create an pulling airflow issue going into production.
Most companies do not have direct bathrooms in production but adjacent to, down a hallway - shadowed with a false wall, etc.
Our clients vent to the outside - maintaining positive air, be sure to consult with a qualified person on this. Can't vent to production for instance and I assume doorways open inward and do not create an pulling airflow issue going into production.
Most companies do not have direct bathrooms in production but adjacent to, down a hallway - shadowed with a false wall, etc.
Our bathrooms on the production floor are enclosed in a "room", a few years ago we received a NC as bathrooms couldn't be directly on the floor. We enclosed them, the break and vending machines. I am hoping if I install vent/fans that pipe to outside or I should then be complaint.
I would say appropriate ventillation would create negative air pressure in the bathroom so that odors do not escape the entryway. If you have a door that's easier, if you have a visibility impairment hallway that takes a lot more venting. We've got simple bathroom ceiling fans.
When you say ceiling fan, are we talking like one id have in m y livening room or a fan that pulls the air out?
I would think with a hard barrier between the production floor and the washrooms that you have adequate ventilation---but if you have the funds and are going to install something is should be an exhaust fan that vents outside--sometimes they are linked directly to the light switch
Our plant bathrooms are central to the area and are block walls with an "airlock" area (about 6' X 6' we use it for storing TP and paper towels) between the plant and bathroom. We had a system installed that draws from both bathrooms as well as the airlock. It involves a large duct mounted exhaust fan with ducting that draws from the ceilings with return air ducts that draw from the plant. This main duct is vented directly out through the roof. The airlock was the NC for us. The bathrooms open to the plant into the break area which is separated from the plant by steel barriers but not enclosed. If your bathrooms open into another enclosed room that is separated from production you shouldn't need an airlock. And as long as they vent to the outside you should be good.
My understanding is that an exhaust fan that vents to the outside of the building is required and we also built an airlock (think of it as an enclosed anteroom, not the spaceship airlock) entry to the restrooms. Ours are smack in the center of the production floor and we've not had an SQF auditor complain in the slightest.
When you say ceiling fan, are we talking like one id have in m y livening room or a fan that pulls the air out?
One that pulls the air out, just like when you want to air out the bathroom at home.