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2013
Book Article
Titel
Research on hygienic flooring systems - particle and VOC emissions, chemical and biological resistance, and cleanability
Abstract
In the food industry, a hygienic manufacturing environment is an absolute necessity in order to minimize reject rates due to contamination and ensure low-germ or sterile conditions. Product quality is especially impaired by microorganisms but also by other forms of contamination such as particles and chemical residues. Today, some foods are already produced and packaged under cleanroom conditions in the same way as practiced by the pharmaceutical industry. Cleanroom technology guarantees the necessary controlled conditions, fulfilling air quality requirements such as those stated in the EU-GMP Guideline Annex 1 for the manufacture of sterile pharmaceutical products. In order to minimize contamination risks during manufacturing processes, cleanroom environments need to be carefully planned to ensure that no sources of contamination will be present during later production. Materials used to make walls, floors, housings, joins and equipment systems need to be taken especially into consideration. In general, known materials are implemented; for housings, for example, stainless steel, anodized aluminum and a range of elastomers and plastics which have been tested and authorized for use with foods are utilized. For floor coverings, stoneware, epoxide and polyurethane systems, rubber flooring, PVC flooring and so-called Terrazzo systems are used. With Terrazzo systems, the topmost layer is made of crushed stone, binding agents and various aggregates and is sometimes sanded after application. The sanded top layer is then sealed. Current developments in the field of sheet materials and self-leveling resin-based industrial floorings have given them very good material properties and rendered them easy to lay neatly. There is a requirement to assess the suitability of the different floor coverings available for use in different hygienic areas. Comparative material tests supply the necessary basic information to identify appropriate systems and ensure that material properties fulfill regulation requirements. Using the qualification of industrial flooring as an example, the article describes an assessment and classification procedure which helps planners to make objective decisions about the choice of materials.