W. Va. Code R. § 61-4A-11

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 61-4A-11 - Milkhouse or Milkroom - Construction and Facilities

11.1. The milkhouse or milkroom shall meet the following construction requirements:

11.1.1. A milkhouse or milkroom conveniently located and properly constructed, lighted, and ventilated shall be provided for handling and cooling milk and for washing, handling, and storing the utensils and equipment. Other products shall not be handled in the milkroom which would be likely to contaminate milk, or otherwise create a public health hazard.

11.1.2. The milkhouse or milkroom shall be equipped with wash and rinse vat, utensil rack, bulk milk tank and have an adequate supply of hot and cold water available for cleaning milking equipment. If a part of the barn or other building, it shall be partitioned, screened, and sealed to prevent the entrance of dust, flies, or other contamination. A milking parlor used strictly as a milking facility in combination with a milkhouse or milkroom, when properly equipped, arranged and maintained, need not be partitioned. Concentrates and feed, if stored in the building, shall be kept in a tightly covered box or bin. The floor of the building shall be of concrete or other impervious material and grade to provide proper drainage. The walls and ceiling shall be constructed a smooth easily cleaned material. All outside doors shall open outward and be self-closing, unless they are provided with tight-fitting screen doors that open outward or unless other effective means are provided to prevent the entrance of flies.

11.1.3. The farm bulk tank shall be properly located in the milkhouse or milkroom for access to all area for cleaning and servicing. It shall not be located over a floor drain or under a ventilator.

11.1.4. A small platform or slab constructed of concrete or other impervious material shall be provided outside the milkhouse, properly centered under a suitable port opening in the wall for milkhouse connections. The opening shall be fitted with a tight, self-closing door. The truck approach to the milkhouse or milkroom shall be properly graded and surfaced to prevent mud or pooling of water at point of loading.

11.1.5. The floor slopes shall drain so that there are no pools of standing water. The joints between the floor and the walls shall be water tight.

11.1.6. The liquid wastes shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner; all floor drains shall be accessible and shall be trapped if connected to a sanitary sewer.

11.1.7. Walls and ceilings shall be constructed of smooth dressed lumber or similar material, well painted with a light-colored washable paint, and in good repair. Surfaces and joints shall be tight and smooth. Sheet metal, tiles, cement block, brick, concrete, cement plaster, or similar materials of light color may be used; the surfaces and joints shall be smooth.

11.1.8. Windows and solid doors shall be closed during dusty weather.

11.1.9. The milkhouse shall be adequately ventilated to minimize odors and condensation on floors, walls, ceilings, and clean utensils.

11.1.10. Vents, if installed, and light fixtures shall be installed in a manner to preclude the contamination of bulk milk tanks or clean utensil storage areas.

11.1.11. There shall be no direct opening into any barn, stable, or room used for domestic purposes; except that an opening between the milkhouse and milking barn, stable or parlor is permitted when a tight-fitting self-closing solid door(s) hinged to be single or double acting is provided.

11.1.12. The milkhouse shall be equipped with a wash and rinse vat having at least two compartments. Each compartment shall be of sufficient size to accomodate the largest utensil or container used. The cleaning-in-place vat for milk pipelines and milk machines may be accepted as one part of the two-compartment vat: Provided, that the cleaning-in-place station rack is not on the vat and the milking machines inflations and appurtenances are completely removed from the vat during the washing, rinsing, and/or sanitizing of other utensils and equipment.

W. Va. Code R. § 61-4A-11