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cspearman85

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Posted 21 October 2013 - 12:00 PM

Hello all!

 

I am currently in the process of working towards SQF Level 3 certification with my packaging facility. I have previous experience in another manufacturing plant where we were re-certified year after year, and have sat in on another facility's SQF recertification audit. In both locations, the SQF auditors have checked and verified for an 18" white-painted gap between the walls and pallet storage. Also, a light-colored or white strip around the production area walls for cleanliness.

 

My question is where can I find these requirements (Section/subsection)? The facility I am working with now is pretty cooperative for implementing changes, but I have to have the black and white proof to back up any "grander scale" changes, and taking up 18" per wall of storage space is considered a grand scale change. Any help or assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you,

 

Christy



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Posted 21 October 2013 - 01:21 PM

From what I understand, you don't necessarily need to have an 18" gap, but you do have to prove that you clean the areas sufficiently. We had a consultant come in and at the time we had two employees pulling out pallets and cleaning by the walls. One of our employees was a very tall guy, the other short and skinny. The skinny guy was the one cleaning by the walls, and as long as it's clean and you can prove it's getting cleaned on a regular basis, you're ok. Keep in mind, that some auditors are more strict than others...

 



Charles.C

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Posted 21 October 2013 - 04:22 PM

Dear cspearman,

 

I recall this question has come up here before.

 

From memory, and as per previous post, the only quotable number  located was the minimum pallet clearance from the floor. Nothing for the wall separation. You might try a search for pallet, wall or similar.

 

Rgds / Charles.C


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


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Posted 21 October 2013 - 05:51 PM

Dear cspearman,

 

Apologies, memory lapse, try this thread -

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...use/#entry50757

 

Rgds / Charles.C


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


KTD

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Posted 22 October 2013 - 09:03 PM

Dear Cspearman85 -

    

      You might also consult the attached National Pest management Association guidelines.

Attached Files


Edited by KTD, 22 October 2013 - 09:11 PM.

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cspearman85

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Posted 22 October 2013 - 09:05 PM

Thank you everyone for the assistance!



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Posted 22 October 2013 - 09:50 PM

good info thank you



SQFconsultant

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Posted 23 October 2013 - 03:24 AM

One of our eConsultant clients asked this question. They heard from someone at a plant that an Auditor informed them they needed to have 18" of clearance space and white or yellow stripes.

 

Guess what? There is nothing about 18" nor 20 nor 36" etc in any SQF document, nor on any SQF audit.  There is however a lot on keeping these areas clean, sloped properly, etc.


All the Best,

 

All Rights Reserved,

Without Prejudice,

Glenn Oster.

Glenn Oster Consulting, LLC -

SQF System Development | Internal Auditor Training | eConsultant

Martha's Vineyard Island, MA - Restored Republic

http://www.GCEMVI.XYZ

http://www.GlennOster.com

 


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Posted 23 October 2013 - 05:46 AM

Hello all!

 

I am currently in the process of working towards SQF Level 3 certification with my packaging facility. I have previous experience in another manufacturing plant where we were re-certified year after year, and have sat in on another facility's SQF recertification audit. In both locations, the SQF auditors have checked and verified for an 18" white-painted gap between the walls and pallet storage. Also, a light-colored or white strip around the production area walls for cleanliness.

 

My question is where can I find these requirements (Section/subsection)? The facility I am working with now is pretty cooperative for implementing changes, but I have to have the black and white proof to back up any "grander scale" changes, and taking up 18" per wall of storage space is considered a grand scale change. Any help or assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you,

 

Christy

 

Hi Christy,

 

From SQF Guidance:

 

11.6.1 Cold Storage, Freezing, and Chilling of Foods:
Storage racks and shelving need to be constructed of a non-corrosive material and easily cleanable. The product on these racks or shelves should be at least 30 cm (twelve inches) from walls and 150 mm (6 inches) off the floor to prevent contamination and allow for adequate air circulation around the product (refer 11.2.3).


11.6.2 Storage of Dry Ingredients, Packaging, and Shelf Stable Packaged Goods:
Stands and the lower shelves of stands should be at least 150 mm (6 inches), or as required by applicable regulation above floor level to facilitate proper cleaning.
Packaging racks allow access to floor/wall junction for cleaning;

 

Regards,

 

Tony



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Charles.C

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Posted 23 October 2013 - 06:03 AM

One of our eConsultant clients asked this question. They heard from someone at a plant that an Auditor informed them they needed to have 18" of clearance space and white or yellow stripes.

 

Guess what? There is nothing about 18" nor 20 nor 36" etc in any SQF document, nor on any SQF audit.  There is however a lot on keeping these areas clean, sloped properly, etc.

 

Dear GOC,

 

Are you suggesting that an SQF auditor can only criticise a situation based on numerical criteria which are specifically stated in the SQF standard / guidance.?

 

I might go along with you if an actual NC was involved, but if a general comment, this would seem rather restrictive / unrealistic IMO. On the other hand, it seems reasonable that the auditor would be able to justify any recommended criterion if asked. Perhaps he/she was just being helpful (it can happen).

 

IMEX (non-SQF) the more frequent auditor > auditee query is "Please validate this statement / number / tolerance etc". Any "reasonably" related source usually suffices. One does wonder sometimes if the auditor is simply floundering. :smile:

 

Rgds / Charles.C


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


cspearman85

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Posted 23 October 2013 - 11:31 AM

Hi Christy,

 

From SQF Guidance:

 

11.6.1 Cold Storage, Freezing, and Chilling of Foods:
Storage racks and shelving need to be constructed of a non-corrosive material and easily cleanable. The product on these racks or shelves should be at least 30 cm (twelve inches) from walls and 150 mm (6 inches) off the floor to prevent contamination and allow for adequate air circulation around the product (refer 11.2.3).


11.6.2 Storage of Dry Ingredients, Packaging, and Shelf Stable Packaged Goods:
Stands and the lower shelves of stands should be at least 150 mm (6 inches), or as required by applicable regulation above floor level to facilitate proper cleaning.
Packaging racks allow access to floor/wall junction for cleaning;

 

Regards,

 

Tony

 

Tony,

 

What version of SQF Guidance are you quoting? Here is an excerpt of the same Sections under the SQF Code Version 7.1, published on 4-29-13.

 

Christy

 

The SQF Code, Edition 7

First published May 1995

Module 11: Good Manufacturing Practices for

Processing of Food Products

SQF Code edition 7.1

© 2013 Food Marketing Institute. All rights reserved.

153

11.6.1 Cold Storage, Freezing and Chilling of Foods

11.6.1.1 The supplier shall provide confirmation of the effective operational performance of freezing, chilling and

cold storage facilities. Chillers, blast freezers and cold storage rooms shall be:

i. Designed and constructed to allow for the hygienic and efficient refrigeration of food; and

ii. Easily accessible for inspection and cleaning.

11.6.1.2 Sufficient refrigeration capacity shall be available to chill, freeze, store chilled or store frozen the

maximum anticipated throughput of product with allowance for periodic cleaning of refrigerated areas.

11.6.1.3 Discharge from defrost and condensate lines shall be controlled and discharged to the drainage system.

11.6.1.4 Freezing, chilling and cold storage rooms shall be fitted with temperature monitoring equipment and

located so as to monitor the warmest part of the room and be fitted with a temperature measurement device that

is easily readable and accessible.

11.6.1.5 Loading and unloading docks shall be designed to protect the product during loading and unloading.

11.6.2 Storage of Dry Ingredients, Packaging, and Shelf Stable Packaged Goods

11.6.2.1 Rooms used for the storage of product ingredients, packaging, and other dry goods shall be located

away from wet areas and constructed to protect the product from contamination and deterioration.

11.6.2.2 Racks provided for the storage of packaging shall be constructed of impervious materials and designed

to enable cleaning of the floors and the storage room. Storage areas shall be constructed to prevent packaging

from becoming a harborage for pests or vermin.

11.6.2.3 Vehicles used in food contact, handling or processing zones or in cold storage rooms shall be designed

and operated so as not to present a food safety hazard.

11.6 Storage and Transport



Charles.C

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Posted 23 October 2013 - 11:47 AM

Dear cspearman,

 

Maybe this -

 

General Guidance for Developing, Documenting, Implementing, Maintaining, and Auditing an SQF System  

Module 11: Good Manufacturing Practices for Processing of Food Products  

SQF Code, Edition 7.1  

M A Y   2 0 1 3

 

Rgds / Charles.C


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


cspearman85

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Posted 23 October 2013 - 12:11 PM

Dear cspearman,

 

Maybe this -

 

General Guidance for Developing, Documenting, Implementing, Maintaining, and Auditing an SQF System  

Module 11: Good Manufacturing Practices for Processing of Food Products  

SQF Code, Edition 7.1  

M A Y   2 0 1 3

 

Rgds / Charles.C

 

Thanks Charles for the direction. This guidance offers distances for Cold Storage, but not for dry storage (and no racks). The cold/frozen storage dictates 12 in off the wall and 6 in up off the floor for cold storage, and only 6 in up off the floor for dry storage racks.

 

We don't have any racks - we are floor-level storage only (small facility). Since there is no direct guidance in the Dry Storage subsection for distance from the wall, does that mean there is NOT a direct measurement for that criteria?

 

Thank you all for bearing with me!

 

Christy



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Posted 23 October 2013 - 02:27 PM

Thanks Charles for the direction. This guidance offers distances for Cold Storage, but not for dry storage (and no racks). The cold/frozen storage dictates 12 in off the wall and 6 in up off the floor for cold storage, and only 6 in up off the floor for dry storage racks.

 

We don't have any racks - we are floor-level storage only (small facility). Since there is no direct guidance in the Dry Storage subsection for distance from the wall, does that mean there is NOT a direct measurement for that criteria?

 

Thank you all for bearing with me!

 

Christy

 

Hi Christy,

 

The quotes were from SQF Code Module 11 Guidance Document May 2013 as Charles has suggested.

 

That is correct if you don't have refrigerated storage or racks then there is no prescribed criteria, just a general requirement that they should be clean and accessible.

 

Regards,

 

Tony



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Posted 23 October 2013 - 04:43 PM

Just my .$.02, but while no specific SQF guidance, our GMP/GDP specifications require a 18" gap around the exterior walls of our facility for Sanitation and Pest control purposes. As GMP/GDP standards are pre-requisite programs and foundational to SQF, I would expect the requirement to stand. That said, we paint ours a light green, which satifies the Pest control standard and is less costly to clean.

 

Best reagrds,

 

Mark



tery

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Posted 19 January 2014 - 10:59 PM

I don't have an experience with SQF audit, however others 3rd party auditors accept <18" gap from exterior walls as far as you can demonstrate that the area is cleaned routinely and accessible. We painted  the exterior wall perimeter in white to be able to easily spot pest activities.



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Posted 04 February 2020 - 06:54 PM

Dear Cspearman85 -

    

      You might also consult the attached National Pest management Association guidelines.

 

Updated PEST MANAGEMENT STANDARDS FOR FOOD PROCESSING & HANDLING FACILITIES- released in 2016 to coincide with FSMA, still states, "18-inch inspection aisle along walls"

 

https://npmapestworl...-Electronic.pdf



Charles.C

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Posted 05 February 2020 - 06:29 AM

Updated PEST MANAGEMENT STANDARDS FOR FOOD PROCESSING & HANDLING FACILITIES- released in 2016 to coincide with FSMA, still states, "18-inch inspection aisle along walls"

 

https://npmapestworl...-Electronic.pdf

 

6-year old thread. Thanks anyway.


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C




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