Mechanic's Room Location ?

We are designing a new plat layout and I am trying to relocate our mechanic and his stuff. Ideally I would like to place him in the center of the facility so he's more central. But as far as isolating him from food production what is needed. If he has his own room separating him from the production room by a door, is this ok? How much separation from food production does he need? We have already implemented a tool accountability program and we are on top of it. 

Any ideas would be appreciated. 

One Mechanic ?

How many Robots ?

Re-Location, you need to think about flowchart/contamination possibilities.

just one mechanic for 10,000 sf production space. no robots. ( I wish we had robots) To me having the mechanic as far away from the production rooms would be the easiest solution. However, I would like to hear how others have situated their mechanic. 

One Mechanic ?

 

How many Robots ?

 

Re-Location, you need to think about flowchart/contamination possibilities.

just one mechanic for 10,000 sf production space. no robots. ( I wish we had robots) To me having the mechanic as far away from the production rooms would be the easiest solution. However, I would like to hear how others have situated their mechanic. 

Is there a workshop ?

What is the "mechanic" doing ?

PS - my experience is mainly in seafood production. I have never encountered an Engineering Personnel Room location within Production Floor but maybe you have a special situation, eg Product / Process = ???

Currently the mechanic is set up in the bulk storage area where we house paper goods. He does not have a separate workshop behind the walk in refrigerator. That is why we are building his own workshop. The questions is where can the work shop be located? Can the workshop be centrally located or as far away as possible?  We currently produce beverages. 

Is there a workshop ?

 

What is the "mechanic" doing ?

 

PS - my experience is mainly in seafood production. I have never encountered an Engineering Personnel Room location within Production Floor but maybe you have a special situation, eg Product / Process = ???

The last total renovation consult that we did on layout included the need to put the maintenance shops in the middle of the facility - not my idea, but that was what a set of plans called for.  We did extensive risk analysis on the location - all the potential if's and known items that could and have happened came into analysis and with a containment surround built around the shops (3 separate shops + office - each interconnected) the plant now has a self-contained maintenance system that has a Non-GMP pathway marked off to the nearest point of delivery and removal of items.

It was a lot of work, not for the light-hearted to undertake, but it is doable and no issues at audit time were found or "glaring" to be written up.

With all that said - most of the facilities I have been in either have a fully contained outside structure that houses maintenance/mechanics or the shops/room/office is located adjacent to production but at one of the four walls and NOT in the center of production.

The situation is partly analogous to in-house laboratories. Especially if including micro.

At one time you could find them located almost anywhere in a Manufacturing Facility.

Nowadays they are auditorially almost "Persona non grata" unless absolutely no conceivable routes for cross-contamination. Some locations ban them on Principle.

I suggest to Go with the Flow.

Hi Kevin,

Is there a scheme you are with? This may direct your query.

BRC, for example, states in the IG that "where it is not possible to avoid having an entrance directly from the engineering workshop to the production area, procedures must be in place to avoid contamination risks (e.g. by debris carried inadvertently into the production or storage areas). These procedures may include changes of footwear and protective clothing, or matting specifically designed to collect any small pieces of debris from footwear. The provision and location of hand-washing facilities for engineers entering the factory should be considered."

Also consider contamination risks of tools and equipment moving between the areas. For our high-risk facility we have specific tools dedicated to that area which do not leave it. Others needing to be taken in have a sanitation procedure.

As for the location, I would recommend around the perimeter of the area far away from food, I would certainly recommend a toolbox on wheels so he can bring all of his tools without having to go back and forth all the time. Additionally, you have to consider hot work; metal work causes sparks which can cause a fire, and it also creates a lot of metal fragments which can end up in your final product. Keep that in mind!

As for the location, I would recommend around the perimeter of the area far away from food, I would certainly recommend a toolbox on wheels so he can bring all of his tools without having to go back and forth all the time. Additionally, you have to consider hot work; metal work causes sparks which can cause a fire, and it also creates a lot of metal fragments which can end up in your final product. Keep that in mind!