Food Production
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Food Production
The UK food industry is extensive. It is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK and represents around 15% of the country’s total manufacturing output.
As a site engineering /technical manager one of your main concerns will be compliance to customer technical and product specifications. Food safety is paramount in production areas, so the regular inspection and cleaning of oven extract, bakery flues and production line ventilation systems is vital. Moulds, dust, grease and other harmful substances can accumulate and contribute to poor air quality and may also exacerbate fire risk.
Your Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) analysis will have identified Legionella as a potential hazard and not only should measures be in place to monitor for and prevent Legionella but, in order to meet the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and customer inspection regimes, an audit trail must be identifiable and contain appropriate and relevant data.
It’s crucial to regularly service and maintain LEV equipment to avoid exposing employees to hazardous substances. Our engineers can help with fume, mist and dust LEV systems and provide a detailed report after the service as proof of proper maintenance.
Our job at Ferncroft is to understand the issues unique to food processing and provide you with a package of services that will help you to comply with both legislation and the stringent requirements of major customers like Tesco.
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Your legal responsibilities
The HSE’s Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations requires that, where certain chemicals and other substances are used in industrial and commercial processes, they should either be contained or safely dispersed
Also a requirement of these regulations is that LEV systems should be regularly tested to ensure that they are operating efficiently (ideally every 14 calendar months). The provision of this service ensures that LEV systems are adequate and within regulations. Ferncroft has a team of specialist trained surveyors who carry out comprehensive LEV testing across the UK. Find out more about Local Exhaust Ventilation and Ventilation Compliance.
Another very important passive fire prevention measure is the regular testing, cleaning and maintenance of fire dampers. These are metal louvres which can open and close and are installed across the ductwork to form a temporary barrier when closed but allow the free flow of air when open. You may not even be aware that your ventilation system has fire dampers, but they fulfil a very important function, so you must be sure that they are in working order.
In the event of a fire travelling through ductwork, the fire damper must close, to restrict the oxygen supply to the fire and create a barrier which slows the spread of the fire. This buys valuable time in which to safely evacuate staff and visitors, especially the more vulnerable and less mobile.
There are different types of fire damper; some are spring operated, some have fuseable links and there are other designs which are remotely operated. All types must be regularly tested, using a method known as drop testing, cleaned and maintained. According to recently updated guidance, BS999:2017, all fire dampers must now be tested at no more than twelve month intervals.
We can help you locate your fire dampers, create access to inaccessible fire dampers then drop test, clean and maintain them for compliance. More information can be found on our fire dampers page.
Services for the Food Production Sector
Ferncroft can offer Kitchen Extract Cleaning for fire safety to TR19® Grease, and Commercial Duct Cleaning to TR/19 requirements to provide compliance with all Fire, Health & Safety and Workplace regulations. Contact us today to speak to one of our expert advisors and find out more about our Food Production Sector services.
