<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".20" citation="COMAR 10.15.03.20" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="03" heading="Vermin Control.">
  <text>The person-in-charge shall ensure that:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A food service facility may operate with its outer doors and windows open unless, while the food service facility is operating with the outer doors or outer windows open, the approving authority:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Finds evidence of vermin in food preparation or food storage areas; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Finds evidence of flying insects in food preparation or food storage areas that pose a significant threat to sanitation or public health.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>If the approving authority finds that a food service facility is operating in violation of §A of this regulation, the food service facility shall take immediate action to eliminate the vermin or flying insects.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If the approving authority finds that a food service facility is operating in violation of §A of this regulation, the approving authority may:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Close a food service facility;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Order a temporary closure of the outer windows and outer doors, until the vermin or flying insects are eliminated from the food preparation or food storage areas; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Take another action to eliminate vermin or flying insects.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A food service facility found to be operating in violation of §A of this regulation on three or more separate occasions shall keep the outer windows and outer doors closed at all times until:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Modifications approved by the local approving authority are made to the food service facility to effectively protect against the entrance of vermin and flying insects; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Another action acceptable by the approval authority is taken.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The person-in-charge shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Effective control measures are used to eliminate rodents, flies, roaches, and other vermin from the building;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The premises are kept clean and free of debris that will promote the harborage of vermin;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Openings into the building are effectively protected against the entrance of insects and rodents by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Doors that are:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Tight; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Self-closing;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Screening on windows, doors, skylights, transoms, and other openings, which is:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Tight-fitting;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>In good repair; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Made of material that is not less than 16-mesh to the inch or equivalent;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Positive air pressure or controlled air currents; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Other means acceptable to the approving authority; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Insect control devices that are used to electrocute or stun flying insects are:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Designed to retain the insects within the device;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Not located over areas used to prepare food; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Located so that dead insects and insect fragments are prevented from being impelled or from falling onto:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Exposed food;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Clean equipment;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Utensils;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Linens; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Unwrapped single service and single use articles.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>