Section 18 AAC 31.545 - Walls and ceilingsThe operator of a food establishment shall ensure that
(1) walls, ceilings, partitions, wall coverings, doors, and windows, including light fixtures, vent covers, decorative material, and wall-mounted fans or other equipment attached to walls and ceilings, are kept clean and in good repair and do not contaminate food or food containers;(2) walls and ceilings in walk-in refrigerators, freezers, preparation, processing, and warewashing areas, toilet rooms, and janitorial rooms are light-colored, smooth, easily cleanable, and nonabsorbent;(3) walls and ceilings in other areas are cleanable, in good repair, and do not contaminate food, containers, equipment, or utensils;(4) studs, joists, and rafters are not exposed in preparation or processing areas; if studs, joists, or rafters are exposed in other areas, they must be clean and in good repair;(5) exposed utility service lines and pipes do not obstruct the cleaning of walls and ceilings; and(6) each servicing area is provided with overhead protection, except for areas used only for the loading of water or the discharge of sewage and other liquid waste, through the use of a closed system of hoses; in this paragraph, "servicing area" means an operating base location to which a mobile food unit or transportation vehicle returns regularly for vehicle and equipment cleaning, discharging liquid or solid wastes, refilling water tanks and ice bins, or boarding food.Eff. 5/18/97, Register 142; readopt 12/19/99, Register 152; am 12/28/2006, Register 180Effective 12/19/99, Register 152, the Department of Environmental Conservation readopted 18 AAC 31.545, without change, to affirm the validity of that section following statutory amendments made in ch. 72, SLA 1998. Chapter 72, SLA 1998 relocated department authority to adopt regulations in 18 AAC 31 from AS 03.05 to AS 17.20.
Authority:AS 17.20.005
AS 17.20.020
AS 17.20.072
AS 17.20.180
AS 17.20.290
AS 44.46.020