§ 46.921. Cleanability of floors, walls and ceilings.

 (a)  General requirement. Except as specified in subsection (d), the floors, floor coverings, walls, wall coverings and ceilings of a food facility shall be designed, constructed and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable, except that antislip floor coverings or applications may be used for safety reasons.

 (b)  Utility lines.

   (1)  Utility service lines and pipes in a food facility may not be unnecessarily exposed.

   (2)  Exposed utility service lines and pipes in a food facility shall be installed so they do not obstruct or prevent cleaning of the floors, walls or ceilings.

   (3)  Exposed horizontal utility service lines and pipes in a food facility may not be installed on the floor.

 (c)  Floor and wall junctures: coved and enclosed or sealed.

   (1)  In food facilities in which cleaning methods other than water flushing are used for cleaning floors, the floor and wall junctures shall be coved and closed to no larger than 1 mm (1/32 inch).

   (2)  The floors in food facilities in which water flush cleaning methods are used shall be provided with drains and be graded to drain, and the floor and wall junctures shall be coved and sealed.

 (d)  Floor carpeting: limitations and installation.

   (1)  A floor covering such as carpeting or similar material may not be installed as a floor covering in food preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, warewashing areas, toilet room areas where handwashing sinks, toilets and urinals are located, refuse storage rooms or other areas where the floor is subject to moisture, flushing or spray cleaning methods.

   (2)  If carpeting is installed as a floor covering in areas other than those specified in paragraph (1), it shall be both of the following:

     (i)   Securely attached to the floor with a durable mastic by using a stretch and tack method, or by another method.

     (ii)   Installed tightly against the wall under the coving or installed away from the wall with a space between the carpet and the wall and with the edges of the carpet secured by metal stripping or some other means.

 (e)  Floor covering: mats and duckboards. Mats and duckboards in a food facility shall be designed to be removable and easily cleanable.

 (f)  Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings.

   (1)  Wall and ceiling covering materials in a food facility shall be attached so that they are easily cleanable.

   (2)  Except in areas used only for dry storage, concrete, porous blocks or bricks used for indoor wall construction in a food facility shall be finished and sealed to provide a smooth, nonabsorbent, easily cleanable surface.

 (g)  Attachments to walls and ceilings. Attachments to walls and ceilings (such as light fixtures, mechanical room ventilation system components, vent covers, wall mounted fans, decorative items and other attachments) in a food facility shall be easily cleanable, except that in a consumer area of a food facility, wall and ceiling surfaces and decorative items and attachments that are provided for ambiance need not meet this requirement if they are kept clean.

 (h)  Studs, joists and rafters in walls and ceilings. Studs, joists and rafters in a food facility may not be exposed in areas subject to moisture. This requirement does not apply to temporary food facilities.

   This section cited in 7 Pa. Code §  46.881 (relating to storage areas and receptacles for refuse, recyclables and returnables: materials, design, construction and installation).