Husson Inc.

HACCP (Own Control Programme)

Introduction
and purpose

Organisation and responsibility

Description of
system build-up

Risk analysis and controlling measures

Surveillance

Documentation

Verification

Conclusion

Introduction and purpose



ML System’s overall purpose of implementing an Own Control Programme for humidification systems is to secure that the water atomized in the system at no time can constitute any health risk for the people in the rooms being humidified.

In order to secure that all aspects and risks are revealed, we have chosen to build up a hygiene control system according to the HACCP principles and to certify this according to DS 3027:2002.


What is HACCP?



HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point) is an internationally approved systematic method to build up a safe hygiene control system. The method is used all over the world, e.g. within food producing companies, the hospital sector and other trades where high demands for hygiene safety are made, and where the demand exist for being able to prove that the produced goods do not constitute any health risk.

The HACCP system is developed in the sixties by NASA who uses the method to secure that the food used in the space travel program is always of the highest quality and can never involve any health risk, considering that a sick astronaut is nothing worth.

In Denmark the HACCP method and the demands for a hygiene control system are described in DS 3027, applying to food producing companies and their sub-contractors.  

The HACCP method is built up in such a way that the systematic examination and going through of all processes from choice of raw materials, purchase, sale, production, installation and subsequently putting into service and start using, result in a hygiene control system proving that the “food security” is first class.

In Danish a HACCP system is also called an “Own Control Programme”, as it is the company’s own hygiene control system that has to ensure that the quality is all right; it is not the authorities who have to control it.

All companies and retailers working with food must today have an approved Own Control Programme.


HACCP and humidification systems



When being humidified with nozzle systems, water is atomized out into the room where the wish to control the air humidity exists. It is of vital importance that the water being used is clean and bacteria-free, thus no health risk to the people being in the humidified rooms can occur.

Water is an important foodstuff, and many bacteria are naturally living in water-supported systems or can adhere to water-aerosols.


Authority requierments



For the time being, no public authority requirements on control of water quality for humidification systems exist, and there are no standards of how many CFU are allowed in water for humidifying purposes.

In Denmark, the requirements concerning drinking water are contained in "Regulation on Drinking Water". Among other things, this regulation contains requirements concerning cfu in drinking water and the methods to test drinking water. However, the requirements to drinking water cannot be directly applied to humidification systems, since the water is not consumed, but evaporates and is absorbed through the air.

In Germany guidelines concerning number of CFU in air and water exist, and these guidelines are to be observed when installing humidification systems in industrial rooms.


Measures



To ensure that the water atomized from humidification systems cannot involve any risk, certain measures are to be taken.
This implies that the humidification system has to be built up in a hygienic design and that hygienic precautions are to be taken, partly concerning production and installation of the systems, partly concerning subsequent use, service and maintenance.


HACCP at ML system a/s



In order to disclose all risks connected with humidification, we have chosen to carry through a complete HACCP analysis of our system.  On the basis of the analysis, we have built up a certified system that ensures - provided that the system is maintained according to the prescriptions - that the water being atomized at no time can constitute any health risk.


HACCP for the industry

When selling our humidification systems, we distinguish between systems to be used for ordinary industrial humidification within the wood, the paper, the textile industry etc., and systems to be installed in areas open to the general public or in industries where special demands for hygiene are made, in food industries, supermarkets, museums etc.

For systems to public areas and the food industry, we have set down a marginal value for cfu based on the provisions of the Regulation on Drinking Water for water fit for human consumption.
The marginal value has been set down at 200 cfu/ml.
For such systems there are special requirements concerning treatment of the water as well as the construction and operation of the system.

For our standard industrial systems, we have set down a marginal value for cfu based on German guidelines.
This marginal value has been set down at 1000 cfu/ml.
For such systems, there are no special requirements concerning treatment of the water.

In case of the cfu being found to exceed the marginal values, ML System has worked out a procedure to ensure that the cfu is lowered.

Concerning sale of humidification systems, our sellers are guiding when the system category is to be chosen.


HACCP on ML humidification systems

To each humidification system belongs a manual including a complete Own Control Programme with maintenance instructions and procedures for surveillance and control.

The precautions are partly to secure against pollution of the stored or produced products, and partly to secure that persons in the room are not exposed to harmful influences from the system.
In the following a short description of the system construction is given, and a summary of risk analysis and of the most essential points of the Own Control Programme.


Organisation and responsibility

As supplier of the humidification system, ML system a/s is responsible for procedures concerning production, establishing and start-up. The user/the customer is responsible for keeping the Own Control Programme and for having the system currently serviced.

On handling-over the system, the Own Control Programme is gone through thoroughly by our Service engineer together with the person responsible at the customer’s, thus making him acquainted with the system and with the service points for which the user is responsible.

To the individual system belongs a HACCP Service Form with information about times for extraction of water samples, for exchange of bacteria filter, if any, disinfection of system etc.

These points could be incorporated in the “Own Control Programme” belonging to the relevant customer, if he is covered by the demands for Own Control.


Description of system build-up

The system is built up as a closed system with the shortest possible connection hoses to nozzles. Flow diagram follows the system.

The hose water is cleaned in a water treatment system where this has been fitted. Then a water meter, filters and UV-sterilizer are passed, before the water at high pressure is pumped through pipes for utilization in the nozzles. The vaporization takes place at the high water pressure, and the fog is mixed in airflow from the related ventilator. The water evaporates before it hits surfaces, products etc.

The system is built up with forced start, thus the water in the all hoses is changed several times a day.


Raw water requirement

Common to all systems is that they are to be supplied with raw water observing the drinking water directive 98/83/EC of December 25 1998, and the Danish "Regulation on Drinking Water".

This means that it must conform to the following requirements:

 < 1 coliform bacterium/100 ml 
 < 200 CFU/ml at 22°C 
 < 5 fluorescenter pr ml
 < 20 CFU/ml at 37°C

At the same time total liberty for pathogenic bacteria, virus and parasites is expected.


Requirements of the cleaned water for humidification purposes

As to systems in public areas or for the food industry, the CFU for water to be vaporized may not exceed the marginal values set down by ML System, and neither no pathogenic microorganisms in levels that could cause disease may be found.

As to standard industrial systems the CFU for water to be vaporized may not exceed the marginal values set down by ML System, and neither here no pathogenic microorganisms in levels that could cause disease may be found.

Risk analysis and controlling measures

In the HACCP manual is a risk analysis for the system. The risk analysis is carried out in cooperation with Bioteknologisk Institut, Kolding. The conclusion from this can be ordered at ML System a/s.


Description of relevant risk elements

As regards humidification systems, the greatest health risk occurs, if pathogenic bacteria can penetrate and multiply in the system.
Penetration of bacteria into the system may occur from water supply through passage of water treatment, and if the system has been opened in connection with service/repair, or concerning production and mounting.

Growth in the system may occur, if organisms have penetrated and if they have suitable temperature, time, pH, oxygen conditions and nutrients for growth. Different organisms have different demands for growing.

Growth may especially occur, if the system stands still for a longer time, and if unwanted nutrient is supplied to the micro-organisms, e.g. in the case of insufficient cleaning upon production and mounting.

Especially formation of bio film (interlocking growth of bacteria on surfaces, encapsulated in bacteria slime) may give problems, as it is difficult to remove by water movement, and it is protected against the disinfectant effect. Especially Listeria and Pseudomonas are relevant bio film producers.

The relevant health risks are as follows
Pathogenic bacteria, of these especially Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Listeria monocytogenes and Legionella pneumophila. These are relevant because they have connection to water systems and/or are good bio film producers. These are all present in our surroundings in a low number, and not before they have multiplied to a high level, a health risk must be expected.


Controlling measures

Protection against penetration of micro-organisms from raw water
In the actual build-up of the humidification system, it has been allowed for the fact that bacteria during normal running conditions cannot be admitted from the water supply. The water passes through a UV system placed immediately before the high-pressure pump for the humidification system.

Protection against bacteria upon service and repair
After service, repair or other meshing concerning parts being in contact with the water after the bacteria filter, a disinfection must be carried out.

Protection against penetration from open surfaces
On standard systems no open surfaces exist. 

Protection against nutrient admission and penetration
of bacteria from production and mounting
All raw materials and components being a part of a ML humidification system and at the same time being in contact with water are entrance controlled and cleaned, thus securing that only clean parts are a part of the system. After production and testing, and installation, disinfection of the whole system is made.

Protection against growth when standing still
The system is performed in a hygienic design and built up of materials that in the best possible way protect against growth on respite, changes in dimensions etc.

The hose leading to the system is done in such a way that as little water as possible stands in the hoses.

All systems are built up with minimum running time ensuring that the water is changed several times every twenty-four hours.

Protection against not-wanted growth as a consequence of nutrient sources
Most micro-organisms require nitrogen, carbon (or light) and phosphorus in order to multiply.

When choosing materials for the humidification system, it was considered that the materials would not corrode nor give off taste, smell or nutrient to the water.


Surveillance

The Service engineer of ML System a/s carries out service on the humidification system twice a year.
During scheduled services, the system is disinfected and water samples are taken for tests among other things.
An additional two water samples (quarterly samples) are taken twice a year in the quarters with no scheduled service.

Moreover, the customer inspects the functioning of the UV system.


Documentation

To each system a logbook belongs, where executed service and control of the system are registered.
The results of the verification analyses are registered by ML System a/s and forwarded to the customer.


Verification

The system is verified through measurements of the bacteria contents of the water.

Conclusion

Provided that the system is installed correctly and that maintenance and control have been carried out according to the Own Control Programme, the risk that the system can constitute any risk is minimized.

ML System a/s

Leo Rasmussen
Tekn. direktřr




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Husson Inc. | 1860 Renaissance Blvd. Sturtevant, WI 53177 | Phone 262-884-4669 | email: husson@hussoninc.com