How hygienic is your drainage system?

The importance of the floor and drainage in a food factory is still often underestimated. However, it ensures optimum hygiene and also reduces the risk of production interruptions involving blockages, flooding and leaks. "It is therefore important to approach the design holistically," said Reggy Dekeyser of ACO.

Where are usually the weak spots in drainage systems?

"Food companies often choose to apply water-resistant protection to their walls. This provides an extra hygienic dimension. But that can only work if you also revisit how the wall and floor connect. By raising the boundary a bit and creating perfectly cleanable, rounded corners, you are on your way to a truly water-resistant drainage system. And it will also protect against the impact of vehicles and machinery.

In addition, hygienic design and proper capacity is also something that food companies need to consider. Companies would do well to consider current and future production activities and where they take place in the plant. The questions they should ask are: what type of liquid or wastewater do I want to discharge? What thermal loads and shocks must my drainage be able to withstand? Where are the machines that generate the wastewater located? If that is meters away from a drain, for example, it will make little sense."

How important is the floor itself in this story?

"Crucially, they need to get over the correct slope have so that wastewater slides from the wall to the floor and into the drainage system. If it is not correct, you run the risk of water collecting on the production floor which creates slip hazards and unnecessary hygiene risks. In addition, there should be a reliable connection between the floor and drainage exist. They must both be suitable for the environmental conditions. A floor or drainage with the wrong specifications can lead to cracks around the drainage, corners of floor slabs coming up and even flaking off. These are things that compromise a properly functioning drainage system and, therefore, the operation of a food plant."

So the design of an efficient drainage system is essential?

"Absolutely, it will only positively impact hygiene performance, food safety, employee health, safety and operational costs.

Would you like to have your drainage system evaluated free of charge ? Then get in touch with Dries Aerts - [email protected]  - www.aco.be