<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 10.15.04.09" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="04" heading="Plant and Grounds.">
  <text>The person-in-charge shall ensure that:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The food processing plant and grounds around a food processing plant are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Maintained free of attractants, breeding places, or harborage for pests and insects, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Unused equipment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Debris;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Litter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Waste; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>High weeds or grass; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Adequately drained to promote sanitation and prevent breeding places for pests and insects;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The design and construction of the plant facilitates maintenance and sanitary operations for food processing and:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Is suitable in size;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Affords protection against the weather; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Minimizes the potential for contamination and allergen cross-contact by providing:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Adequate space for the placement of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Equipment;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Utensils; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Materials storage; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Effective designing the flow of food through the plant;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Except as provided for in Regulation .15 of this chapter, a room or area in which food is processed or stored or in which utensils, equipment, or food-packaging materials are cleaned, sanitized, or stored:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Is separated from other rooms or areas in the plant to preclude allergen cross-contact and contamination by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A distance that precludes allergen cross-contact and contamination; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Tight fitting:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Walls;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Ceilings; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Self-closing doors;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Is, if not refrigerated, mechanically ventilated using exhaust and supply fans to ensure:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Filtered air is supplied to provide a positive air pressure in the room;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Condensation and grease do not accumulate on room surfaces and equipment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Removal of excessive:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Grease vapors;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Steam;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Heat; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Odors;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Has a floor, walls, and ceiling that are:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Smooth;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Washable;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Easily cleanable; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Impervious to water;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Has only the exposed overhead pipes, ducts, conduits, evaporators, and other structures that are needed for proper processing, which are installed so that food is protected against leakage;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Has floor-wall junctures that are:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Coved; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Impervious to water;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Has aisles or working spaces between equipment and walls that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Are unobstructed;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Of adequate width to permit employees to perform their duties; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Protect against the contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials by clothing or personal contact;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Provides adequate lighting in all areas that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Uses shatter-resistant light bulbs, fixtures, skylights, or other light sources if suspended over exposed food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials in any step of preparation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Otherwise protects against food contamination in case of glass breakage; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Has well-maintained, sealed walls, floors, and ceilings to prevent entry or harborage areas for pests;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Except as provided for in Regulation .15 of this chapter, an area is designated for employees to eat, drink, and securely store personal items which is separate from areas designated for the cleaning, sanitation, or storage of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Utensils;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Equipment; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Food-packaging materials;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The food processing plant is completely separated by solid, impervious floors, walls, and ceilings with no connecting openings from areas used as living quarters; and</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Plans provided for review to the Department of the plant, facilities, and grounds design and construction that are not provided for in this regulation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provide for adequate food safety, food protection, and sanitation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Are equivalent to regulatory and industry standards.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>