<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".21" citation="COMAR 10.15.03.21" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="03" heading="Building — Floors, Walls, and Ceilings.">
  <text>The person-in-charge shall ensure that:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A floor and floor covering is kept:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Clean; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In good repair;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The floor in a food preparation, food processing, food storage, utensil washing, dressing or locker, toilet, and walk-in refrigerator room or area is constructed of epoxy, sealed concrete, quarry tile, ceramic tile, commercial grade continuous sheet vinyl, or similar material that makes the floor:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Smooth;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Durable;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Nonabsorbent, unless the floor is in a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Dry-food storage area;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Dining area; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Mechanical or electrical room;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Easily cleanable; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Grease resistant in areas subject to grease spillage or drippage;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A floor installed in a food preparation, food processing, food storage, utensil washing, walk-in refrigerator, dressing or locker, and toilet room or area has a juncture between the floor and the wall that is:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Coved; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Closed;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A mat, floor covering, and duckboard is:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Removable;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Easily cleanable; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Kept clean;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>When carpeting is used, the carpeting is placed only on the floors of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Interior dining areas;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Retail areas where liquid products are not displayed; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Areas not subject to water flushing, spraying, or drippage;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>When a floor receives water as a result of processing or cleaning, floor drains are provided at a minimum of one floor drain per 400 square feet of floor area;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>When floor drains are installed, floors are graded at not less than 1/8 inch per foot to direct wastewater to the floor drains;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>A floor in a room without floor drains that requires the removal of processing or wash-water, is drained by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Sloping the floor at least 1/8 inch per foot toward a doorway or another opening; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Directing the wastewater into a floor drain or other discharge point located outside the room in compliance with applicable State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>The walking and driving surfaces of all exterior areas of food service facilities are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Kept clean and free of debris; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Surfaced with concrete, asphalt, gravel, or similar material to facilitate maintenance and minimize dusty or muddy conditions;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>A door on the building's exterior is equipped with a self-closing device;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>A wall, ceiling, door, window, skylight, and similar closure, is kept:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Clean; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In good repair;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>The walls up to at least the highest level reached by splash or spray in all food preparation, food storage, utensil washing, and toilet rooms or areas have surfaces that are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Smooth;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Washable; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Water and grease resistant;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>A wall covering material, such as tile, stainless steel, fiber reinforced plastic, sealed gypsum board, or a similar material, is attached and sealed to the wall or ceiling so that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>There are no open spaces or cracks to permit accumulation of grease or soil;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The surface is easily cleanable; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Harborage for vermin is prevented;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="N.">
    <text>Ceiling covering materials in food preparation and utensil washing areas:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Have smooth, washable surfaces; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Do not contain fiberglass backing;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="O.">
    <text>Exposed construction, such as exposed floor and ceiling rafters, trusses or beams, utility ducts, and lighting, is:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Used only in:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A dry food storage area;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A dining area; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Other areas with the approval of the approving authority based on applicable State and local laws, regulations, and ordinances;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Not used in:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A refrigerated food storage area;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A food preparation area;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>An equipment and utensil washing area; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A toilet room; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Cleanable; and</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="P.">
    <text>Piping, conduit, and similar construction located outside a wall is installed so that there is a minimum of 3/4 inch space between the piping, conduit, and similar construction and the wall.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>