§ 59.102. Milking barn, stable or parlor—construction and maintenance.

 A milking barn, stable or parlor shall be provided on all dairy farms in which the milking herd is housed during milking time operations. The areas used for milking purposes shall meet the following requirements:

   (1)  Floors, feed troughs and gutters, if present, shall be constructed of good quality concrete or equally impervious material. Floors shall be constructed so as to be easily cleaned—brushed surfaces are permitted—and shall be graded to drain.

   (2)  Walls and ceilings shall be finished with wood, tile, smooth-surfaced concrete, cement plaster, brick or other equivalent materials with light-colored surfaces. Walls, partitions, doors, shelves, windows, and ceilings shall be kept in good repair, and surfaces shall be refinished whenever wear or discoloration is evident. Whenever feed is stored overhead, ceilings shall be constructed to prevent the sifting of chaff and dust into the milking barn, stable, or parlor. If a hay opening is provided from the loft into the milking portion of the barn, each opening shall be provided with a dust-tight door which shall be kept closed during milking operations.

   (3)  Separate pens shall be provided for bulls, horses, and calves. These areas shall be separated by tight partitions, from the milking area. Such portion of the barn not so separated shall comply with this section.

   (4)  The milking barn shall be provided with natural or artificial light to insure that all surfaces and particularly the working areas will be plainly visible. The equivalent of at least 10 foot-candles of light in all working areas shall be provided.

   (5)  Air circulation shall be sufficient to minimize odors and to prevent condensation upon walls and ceilings.

   (6)  There shall be no overcrowding by the presence of calves, cows, or other barnyard animals in walks or feed alleys. Inadequate ventilation and excessive odors may also be evidence of an overcrowded barn.

   (7)  A dust-tight partition, provided with doors that are kept closed except when in actual use, shall separate the milking portion of the barn from any feed room or silo in which feed is ground or mixed or in which sweet feed is stored. Feed may be stored in the milking portion of the barn only in such manner as will not increase the dust content of the air, attract flies, or interfere with cleaning of the floor—as in covered, dust-tight boxes or bins. Open feed dollies or carts may be used for distributing feed, but not storing feed, in the milking barn.

   This section cited in 7 Pa. Code §  59.31 (relating to inspection of dairy farms); and 7 Pa. Code §  59.302 (relating to raw milk).