Commercial kitchens
Cooking up a storm
Air quality has a significant impact on the operation of food factories, says James Draycott, UK segment manager food and beverage at Camfil
M
illions of particles, which can include various microbiological contaminants, are present in air in
food factories and the efficiency of air filtration needed is dictated by the need to protect the product from these contaminants, which may render them unsafe or reduce their shelf life. Additionally, the quality of any outdoor air being supplied into the factory by the ventilation supply system must also be taken into account when specifying air filtration to achieve the required indoor air quality. Indeed, the quality of the air in food factories has a huge impact on the comfort, health and safety of employees, but just as importantly, correctly specified and delivered air quality safeguards the products being manufactured. Air quality is determined by a number of
factors including temperature, humidity and particle concentration. The right temperature and humidity can help to reduce the growth of micro-organisms, while controlling particulate content (including dust, micro-organisms and gases) can limit the risk of product contamination and hence contribute to safe food manufacture. Mechanical ventilation is designed to minimise airborne contamination of food, and control ambient temperatures, odours and humidity. Not only does it control the air quality, but also should be designed to provide the correct number of air changes and pressure regime for the designation of the area in question. This is to ensure air does not flow from contaminated areas to clean areas. However, it is also critical that filters should not be a source of contamination. They therefore need to be moisture resistant, free from fibre shedding materials and inert so that they don’t form a breeding ground for microbial contamination. BRC Global Standards launched important new air quality guidance for food manufacturers at BRC Global
May 2019
Standards’ Food Safety Europe Conference in London earlier this year. BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 8: Understanding Air Quality Requirements and Air Filter Specification in Food Production is designed to assist food companies carrying out risk assessments and auditors when auditing such premises. It provides invaluable guidance for food companies and auditors alike to ensure that the correct specification of filter is used to achieve the required air quality for the area designation in question (high risk, high care, low risk etc). Until now, there has been no real
guidance for food production facilities regarding the specification of air filtration required to ensure that food is being produced in a suitable environment in terms of air quality. Camfil works closely with BRC Global
Standards and collaborated, providing support to BRCGS, a leading brand and consumer protection organisation, with regard to the air quality guidance. This guidance document provides comprehensive information to assist food companies, helping to ensure they meet the minimum requirements of the new BRCGS Food Safety Issue 8 Standard with regard to both air quality and air filtration specifications. Understanding Air Quality
Requirements and Air Filter Specification in Food Production includes sections on ISO16890, the standard for testing and classifying air filtration and EN16798 – 3: 2017: Energy performance of buildings. Ventilation for buildings; specifying filters; air filtration energy efficiency; and maintenance, condition and hygiene monitoring. Air contains a variety of particulates such as dust as well as micro-organisms and gas
Above: The quality of any outdoor air being supplied into the factory by the
ventilation supply system must be taken into account when specifying air filtration
contaminants. This makes selecting the right air filters for both environmental and process use crucial, and which is why it pays to talk to people with expertise and experience in this area. Air filters installed in food processing
Selecting the right air filters for both environmental and process is crucial
applications are usually of the barrier type, where dust particles and most micro- organisms can be captured and retained in the filter media matrix. There are filters available capable of collecting a wide range of particulate sizes right down to PM1 (airborne particles – also known as ‘particulate matter’ – that is =/< 1µm in diameter, including bacteria and viruses). Ideally, the HVAC system should be designed to allow for simple servicing, which allows filter changes with the shortest downtime possible. Magnehelic gauges to monitor pressure drops across any filters, access doors free from obstructions and leaks, lights and inspection windows should be fitted to all AHUs as an absolute minimum. Without this provision, maintenance and condition monitoring is very difficult. New air filters should be fitted when the air handling unit is cleaned, and systems must never be operated without filters. Doing so can cause contamination to areas downstream of the filters. Regular planned cleaning of ventilation
systems is crucial including the removal of any particulate material from ducts and air handling equipment. Ideally, the ventilation system should also be sterilised with cleaning agents, compatible with the materials used in the construction of the system. So, by adopting the appropriate standards and guidance explained here, food manufacturers can ensure the air in their factories is of a high enough quality to protect the
products being processed.
www.heatingandventilating.net
www.heatingandventilating.net
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