Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 54 Pa.B. 5598 (August 31, 2024).

Pennsylvania Code



Subchapter F. WAREHOUSING


EQUIPMENT

Sec.


37.171.    Refrigeration capacity; minimum temperature.
37.172.    Thermometers.
37.173.    Break-up rooms.

HANDLING PRACTICES


37.181.    Acceptance of shipments.
37.182.    Identification.
37.183.    Storage of frozen food.
37.184.    Defrosting.
37.185.    Break-up rooms for storage.
37.186.    Removal from warehouse.

SANITARY PROVISIONS


37.191.    General.
37.192.    Toilet facilities.
37.193.    Hand washing facilities.
37.194.    Dressing rooms.

EQUIPMENT


§ 37.171. Refrigeration capacity; minimum temperature.

 (a)  Warehouses shall be equipped with suitable mechanical refrigeration capacity to maintain, under extreme outside temperature and peak load conditions, an air temperature of 0°F or lower.

 (b)  Storage rooms and all their parts shall be maintained at an air temperature of 0°F or lower.

§ 37.172. Thermometers.

 (a)  Each storage room shall be equipped with a thermometer or some other temperature measuring device which is easily visible.

 (b)  The sensing element of thermometers and other temperature measuring and recording devices shall be located not more than 6 feet nor less than 5 feet from the floor and not in a direct blast of refrigerated air or near entrance doors.

 (c)  When indicating thermometers alone are used they shall be read and recorded at least once every 24 hours during each calendar day.

 (d)  Recording thermometers equipped with charts shall have a range of at least 15° above and 10° below 0°F in graduations of 1°.

 (e)  The use of electric or hand wound clocks as well as 24-hour or 7-day charts for recording thermometers shall be optional at the discretion of the operator.

 (f)  Each chart or record of observed temperatures shall be dated to show the time interval covered and shall be kept on file for at least 1 calendar year.

§ 37.173. Break-up rooms.

 Break-up rooms shall be maintained at temperatures not in excess of 20°F.

HANDLING PRACTICES


§ 37.181. Acceptance of shipments.

 (a)  The operator of a warehouse shall not accept custody of a lot or shipment of frozen food if internal product temperature exceeds 0°F, except as provided in § §  37.2 and 37.3 (relating to air temperature; and internal product temperature). When frozen food is accepted pursuant to such exception the operator shall make a written record of the incident.

 (b)  Notwithstanding subsection (a), custody of lots with an internal product temperature not in excess of 10°F may be accepted by the operator on request of the owner of the lot in question if the foods are detained from sale at retail and the temperature of such product is promptly returned to and maintained at 0°F or lower.

§ 37.182. Identification.

 Before lots of frozen food are placed in storage they shall be given lot numbers for effective identification.

§ 37.183. Storage of frozen food.

 (a)  Frozen food in storage shall be placed on dunnage, pallets, racks or skids and shall be stored no closer than 18 inches to the ceiling and otherwise stored so as to permit free circulation of refrigerated air.

 (b)  Frozen food shall be stored under good sanitary conditions that preclude injury and contamination from or to other food held within the warehouse.

§ 37.184. Defrosting.

 During the defrosting of overhead coils in storage rooms stacks of frozen food shall be effectively protected from contamination by condensation, drip or leakage.

§ 37.185. Break-up rooms for storage.

 Break-up rooms shall not be used for storage unless the temperature is kept below 0°F.

§ 37.186. Removal from warehouse.

 At time of removal from warehouse custody the internal product temperature of frozen food shall not exceed 0°F unless authorized by the owner to begin a defrost cycle.

SANITARY PROVISIONS


§ 37.191. General.

 (a)  Floors, walls and ceilings of a warehouse shall be maintained in a good sanitary condition.

 (b)  Premises of a warehouse shall be maintained in a good sanitary condition.

§ 37.192. Toilet facilities.

 Warehouses shall have water flush toilets so located as to be convenient to all employes. Toilet rooms shall be well lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. The doors of all toilet rooms shall be full-length and self-closing.

§ 37.193. Hand washing facilities.

 (a)  Adequate hand washing facilities, including hot and cold or warm running water, powdered or liquid soap in a suitable dispenser, and single service towels or hot air dryers, shall be provided adjacent to all toilet rooms. Wash rooms shall be well lighted and ventilated, and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

 (b)  The use of a common towel is prohibited.

§ 37.194. Dressing rooms.

 Warehouses shall have a dressing room or rooms for the changing and hanging of wearing apparel. If individual lockers are provided, they shall be well vented and maintained in a clean, sanitary condition, and shall be free from disagreeable odors. The dressing room or rooms shall be adequately lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary condition.



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