15A NCAC 18A .0703. FACILITY DESIGN AND SANITATION

(a)  The plant layout shall be designed to physically separate undepurated shellstock from depurated shellstock and be approved by the Division.

(b)  Tank design and construction.  The tank shall be designed to allow for good water circulation.  The tank shall be of sufficient size to allow at least eight cubic feet of sea water per bushel of shellstock in the tank except for soft clams (Mya arenaria), which requires at least five cubic feet of sea water per bushel.   If the tank is rectangular in shape, length to width ratio shall be from two to one (2:1) to four to one (4:1).

(c)  The tank shall be designed so that scum and sludge (shellfish feces, pseudo feces, sand grit, etc.), can be easily removed or flushed out.  The bottom shall be sloped longitudinally at least one fourth to one half inch per foot toward the outlet end.

(d)  To facilitate proper cleaning and sanitation, as well as proper depuration of shellfish, tanks shall be constructed from impervious, non‑toxic, and inert materials.  Coatings, when used, shall be approved by the Division.  Pipes conveying process water throughout the plant shall be so constructed as to be easily disassembled to facilitate cleaning and sanitizing.

(e)  Facility sanitation.  The general sanitation requirement of the facility, physical structure, equipment and utensils, and the sanitary requirements for operations, processes, and personnel shall be approved by the Division.

(f)  Material.  The equipment in the food product zone shall be made of smooth, corrosion resistant, impervious, non‑toxic material and shall meet National Sanitation Foundation standards or the equivalent.

(g)  Plumbing and related facilities.  Plumbing shall be installed in compliance with state and local plumbing ordinances.  Lavatories shall have running hot and cold water.  Lavatories, other than those located in restrooms, shall be located so that their use by personnel can be readily observed.  An automatically regulated hot water system shall be provided which has sufficient capacity to furnish water at a temperature of at least 130°F (54°C) during all hours of plant operation.  Signs shall be posted in toilet rooms and near lavatories, directing employees to wash their hands before starting work and after each interruption.  Pump volutes and impellers shall be of material which is non‑toxic.  The facilities domestic sewage shall be discharged into a sewage disposal system constructed in accordance with state and local requirements.

(h)  Floors.  Floors of rooms in which shellstock are handled or stored shall be constructed of concrete or other material impervious to water; shall be graded to drain quickly; shall be free from cracks and uneven surfaces that interfere with proper cleaning or drainage; and shall be maintained in good repair.

(i)  Walls and ceilings.  The interior surfaces of rooms in which shellstock are handled or stored shall be smooth, washable, a light color, and kept in good repair.

(j)  Lighting.  Natural or artificial light shall be provided in all working and storage rooms.  Light bulbs, fixtures, or other glass suspended within the facility shall be of safety‑type or otherwise protected to prevent contamination in case of breakage.  The water surface of the depuration tanks shall not be subjected to direct sunlight.

(k)  Heating and ventilation.  Working rooms shall be ventilated. Working rooms shall be equipped with heating equipment for use as necessary during the months of September to April.

(l)  Water supply.  The water supply for non‑depuration uses shall be from a source approved by the Division under Rule .0413 of this Subchapter.

(m)  Rodent control.  The depuration facility shall comply with the provisions of Rule .0411 of this Subchapter.

(n)  General cleanliness.  The depuration facility shall be kept clean and free of litter and rubbish.  Miscellaneous and unused equipment and articles which are not necessary to the facility operations shall not be stored in rooms used for depuration or shellstock storage.  Culled shellstock shall be removed promptly from the facility.

(o)  Health of personnel.  Any person known to be infected with any disease in a communicable form, or to be a carrier of any disease which can be transmitted through the handling of shellfish, or who has an infected wound or open lesion on any exposed portion of his body, shall be excluded from handling shellfish in the facility.

(p)  Disposal of all waste water shall be permitted by the appropriate agency.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A‑230;

Eff. February 1, 1987.