Rule 40-2-16-.10 - Milkhouse - Construction and Facilities(1)Separate Facilities. A separate milkhouse of sufficient size must be provided for the cooling, handling, and storing of milk as well as the washing, sanitizing, and storing of milk containers and utensils.(2)Floors, Characteristics. The floors of all milkhouses must:(a) Be constructed of good quality concrete (float finish permissible), or equally impervious tile, or brick laid closely with impervious material, or metal surfacing with impervious joints, or other material the equivalent of concrete; and(b) Be maintained free of breaks, depressions, and surface peelings.(3)Sloped to Drain and Watertight Wall Junctures.(a) The floor must be sloped to drain so that there are no pools of standing water.(b) The joints between the floor and the walls must be watertight.(4)Liquid Waste Disposal.(a) Liquid wastes must be disposed of in a sanitary manner.(b) All floor drains must be:1. Maintained accessible, and2. Trapped if connected to a sanitary sewer.(5)Walls and Ceilings, Characteristics.(a) Walls and ceilings must be:1. Constructed of smooth dressed lumber or similar material;2. Well painted with a light-colored washable paint; and3. Maintained in good repair.(b) Surfaces and joints. 1. Sheet metal, tile, cement block, brick, concrete, cement plaster, or similar materials of light color may be used.2. The surfaces and joints must be smooth.(6)Milkhouse, Lighting Intensity. A minimum of twenty (20) foot-candles (220 lux) of light must be provided at all working areas from natural and/or artificial light for milkhouse operations.(7)Adequate Ventilation. The milkhouse must be adequately ventilated to minimize condensation on floors, walls, ceilings, and clean utensils.(8)Vents and Light Fixtures. Vents, if installed, and lighting fixtures must be installed in a manner to preclude the contamination of bulk milk tanks or clean utensil storage areas.(9)No Other Purpose. The milkhouse must be used for no other purpose than milkhouse operations.(10)Direct Openings Prohibited. There must be no direct opening into any barn, stable, parlor, or room used for domestic purposes, except:(a)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.(b)Screened vents are permitted in the wall between the milkhouse and a breezeway, which separates the milkhouse from the milking parlor, provided animals are not housed within the milking facility.(11)Vestibule, Characteristics. A vestibule, if used, must comply with milkhouse construction requirements.(12)Water Under Pressure. Water under pressure must be piped into the milkhouse.(13)Capacity. Each milkhouse must be provided with facilities for heating water in sufficient quantity and to such temperatures for the effective cleaning of all equipment and utensils.(14)Wash and Rinse Vats.(a) The milkhouse must be equipped with a wash-and-rinse vat having at least two (2) compartments.(b) Each compartment must be of sufficient size to accommodate the largest utensil or container used.(c) The upright wash vat for milk pipelines and milk machines may be accepted as one (1) part of the two (2) compartment vat.(d) The stationary wash rack, in or on the vat, and the milking machine inflations and appurtenances must be completely removed from the vat during the washing, rinsing, and/or sanitizing of other utensils and equipment.(e) The Department may, on an individual farm basis, authorize the use of a single vat compartment when CIP cleaning/recirculated systems eliminate the need for handwashing of equipment.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-2-16-.10
O.C.G.A. § 26-2-450, et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Milkhouse - Construction and Facilities" adopted. F. June 9, 2023; eff. July 1, 2023, as specified by the Agency.