Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024
The person-in-charge shall ensure that:
A. The equipment and facilities needed to
store, convey, transport, and bottle drinking water and wash and sanitize
bottled water containers and bottling equipment and utensils in accordance with
this chapter are provided and maintained in a sanitary condition;
B. The water supplied to a fixture is potable
and meets the requirements in COMAR 26.04.01;
C. The sewage disposal system for the plant:
(1) Meets all applicable State and local
codes; and
(2) Properly disposes of
all wastewater;
D.
Toilet rooms:
(1) Are separate for men and
women;
(2) Are provided at the rate
of one toilet for every 15 employees; and
(3) Do not open directly into an area in
which:
(a) Source water or finished product
water is handled, processed, or held; and
(b) Containers, utensils, or pieces of
equipment are washed or held;
E. A bottling room:
(1) Is separated from other plant operations
and storage areas by:
(a) Tight fitting
walls;
(b) Ceilings; and
(c) Self closing doors;
(2) Has conveyor openings only large enough
to allow passage of containers;
(3)
Is mechanically ventilated using exhaust and supply air fans so that:
(a) Filtered air is supplied to provide a
positive air pressure in the room; and
(b) Condensation does not accumulate on room
surfaces and equipment;
(4) Has a floor sloped to floor
drains;
(5) Has a floor, walls, and
a ceiling that are:
(a) Smooth;
(b) Easily cleanable; and
(c) Impervious to water;
(6) Has a hand sink:
(a) In the room; or
(b) Directly adjacent to the room;
and
(7) Has lighting
that provides a minimum of 40 foot candles on all work surfaces;
F. A bottle washing room, if
present:
(1) Meets the requirements in
§E of this regulation; and
(2)
Is situated in the plant and has equipment located within the room to minimize
postsanitizing contamination of the containers before the containers enter the
bottling room;
G. Clean
and uncapped containers are protected from overhead contamination before and
after filling with water by:
(1) Conveyor
covers that meet the design specifications in Regulation .08 of this chapter;
or
(2) Being held in rooms that
have finished ceilings that are:
(a)
Smooth;
(b) Easily cleanable;
and
(c) Free of filth and
condensation; and
H. Before making a change, alteration, or
addition to equipment or facilities that convey, treat, or bottle drinking
water, plans for the change, alteration, or addition are submitted to and
approved by the Department, in accordance with Health-General Article,
§21-321, Annotated Code of Maryland.
