Can you use galvanised steel for gantries and platforms?
Hello
I work for a small fresh herbs factory and we are looking to rearrange our prouction areas, and looking at purchasing some new gantries/platforms.
My question is, do you know if we could use galvanised steel instead of stainless steel for them?
Thank you.
Aggie
I do not see an issue with using the galv. steel in your gantries and platforms as long as you have a check in place to ensure that they are corroding or flaking over time. It sounds as though you are using them more for transport and structural reasons anyway, more so than using them for food contact surfaces. The galvanized may corrode faster over time once the topcoat layer comes off or if it gets hit or dinged so keep an eye on it so that there is not risk of it dropping in bins during transport or handling. Hope this helps.
Cheers!
I do not see an issue with using the galv. steel in your gantries and platforms as long as you have a check in place to ensure that they are corroding or flaking over time. It sounds as though you are using them more for transport and structural reasons anyway, more so than using them for food contact surfaces. The galvanized may corrode faster over time once the topcoat layer comes off or if it gets hit or dinged so keep an eye on it so that there is not risk of it dropping in bins during transport or handling. Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Thank you, it is not going to be a food contact item, and it shouldn't be in danger of damage as there will not be any traffic using ppt's of forklifts around, possibly a pallet lift.
I was just unsure if there was anything in BRC or ISO that mentions galvanised steel, as i could not find any information about it.
Thank you.
FDA on our side of the pond is fine with them being used, as long as the product is not a high-acid product I think your spices will be fine and I think using it wont be an issue, I would just keep it as a maintenance item on your GMPs.
Cheers!
Galvanized isn't near as friendly to humidity OR commercial cleaning agents.
Just know that you will not get the longevity that you would from SS
I agree with Scampi.
I've seen galvanised steels used in non-contact applications and usually it's been a misguided attempt at saving money that didn't work in the long run. Whilst the zinc coating is theoretically able to prevent rust, prolonged exposure to moisture/humidity/acids/alkalis will cause issues.
For dry warehousing I wouldn't be too worried, but I'm sceptical about many factory applications.
I wouldn't be as concerned with cleaning or reaction to chemicals as I would knowing it was a gantry and the rolling over of a galvanized surface would absolutely cause flaking and separation of the galvanizing from the steel and wear from walking on it or potentially dropping something on it the same. Also knowing the moving section of a gantry would most certainly be above the level of production, there would also certainly be a potential foreign material issue. A SS gantry or platform would not pose this hazard. Also, inspections would always be after the fact. If your inspection shows a chip or flaking of the galvanizing, you would need to go back and inspect everything produced from the last inspection showing no chipping or flaking. I'm not sure a metal detector would see such small flakes? Also, the few dollars today might save you massive dollars tomorrow. I for one would not like to sprinkle galvanizing on my food thinking it's actually Italian Seasoning.