Site Standards: Utilities – Water, Air, and Energy
Aligned with BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 – Clause 4.5
Requirement Overview
BRCGS Clause 4.5 requires that all utilities (including water, compressed air, gases, and energy sources) which come into direct or indirect contact with food or food contact surfaces must be monitored, maintained, and controlled to prevent contamination and ensure food safety.
Clause 4.5.1: “Utilities used within the production and storage areas shall be constructed, located and maintained to minimize the risk of product contamination.”
Clause 4.5.2: “The quality of air or other gases (including steam and compressed air) that come into contact with food or food-contact surfaces shall be monitored to ensure it does not pose a contamination risk.”
Utilities are often overlooked in routine maintenance, but failures in utility safety can introduce foreign materials, chemical residues, or microbial contaminants into your product or environment.
Aligned with BRCGS for Storage & Distribution Issue 4 – Clause 4.3.1 & 4.3.3
Requirement Overview
BRCGS for Storage & Distribution requires that products moved via cross-docking are traceable and controlled at all times, even when they are not held in storage for extended periods.
Clause 4.3.1: “The company shall ensure that traceability is maintained at all stages, including during cross-docking operations.”
Clause 4.3.3: “Procedures shall be in place to ensure that all products handled, including those not stored on-site, remain under control and are not subject to contamination or substitution.”
Cross-docking operations must not compromise product traceability, safety, or integrity. Even with minimal handling and temporary presence, each product must be accurately identified, documented, and protected.
Key Compliance Objectives
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✓ Prevent utility-based contamination of product or packaging
✓ Ensure food-grade quality standards for water, air, and steam
✓ Maintain utility infrastructure to prevent equipment failure and leaks
✓ Monitor, test, and document utility performance regularly
Step-by-Step Compliance Implementation
1. Assess and Map All Utility Sources
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Utilities to Include:
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• Potable and non-potable water (e.g., process, handwashing, CIP)
• Compressed air and gas systems
• Steam (culinary or cleaning)
• Electrical and mechanical energy systems (indirect impact)
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Site utility map or schematic
• Utility identification and zoning (food-contact vs. non-contact)
• Approved water and gas supplier records
- • Potable and non-potable water (e.g., process, handwashing, CIP) • Compressed air and gas systems • Steam (culinary or cleaning) • Electrical and mechanical energy systems (indirect impact)
- • Site utility map or schematic • Utility identification and zoning (food-contact vs. non-contact) • Approved water and gas supplier records
2. Verify Utility Safety and Quality
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Control Measures Include:
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• Water: Potability testing and supply line integrity
• Air/Gases: Filtration, oil removal, and microbial testing (if contact occurs)
• Steam: Use of food-grade boiler chemicals and condensate checks
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Lab reports for water quality
• Air and gas monitoring logs
• Steam system maintenance and treatment records
- • Water: Potability testing and supply line integrity • Air/Gases: Filtration, oil removal, and microbial testing (if contact occurs) • Steam: Use of food-grade boiler chemicals and condensate checks
- • Lab reports for water quality • Air and gas monitoring logs • Steam system maintenance and treatment records
3. Prevent Utility-Based Contamination
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Risk Reduction Actions:
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• Install filters and backflow prevention systems
• Ensure air nozzles and pipes are food-grade and hygienically designed
• Isolate non-potable lines from product or equipment zones
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Maintenance records and calibration logs
• Inspection checklists for utility system hygiene
• Corrective actions for any non-conformances
- • Install filters and backflow prevention systems • Ensure air nozzles and pipes are food-grade and hygienically designed • Isolate non-potable lines from product or equipment zones
- • Maintenance records and calibration logs • Inspection checklists for utility system hygiene • Corrective actions for any non-conformances
4. Maintain and Monitor Utility Infrastructure
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Maintenance Includes:
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• Scheduled cleaning and inspection of utility contact points
• Monitoring of pressure, flow, and contamination risks
• Rapid repair protocols for leaks, faults, or system failures
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Preventive maintenance schedule
• Utility system performance logs
• Work orders and service documentation
- • Scheduled cleaning and inspection of utility contact points • Monitoring of pressure, flow, and contamination risks • Rapid repair protocols for leaks, faults, or system failures
- • Preventive maintenance schedule • Utility system performance logs • Work orders and service documentation
Common Audit Findings & Recommended Fixes
| Audit Finding | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Unfiltered compressed air in use | Install filters and document monitoring protocols |
| No water potability testing | Establish regular sampling and retain lab certificates |
| Steam lines lack food-grade treatment | Switch to approved chemicals and document supplier compliance |
| No mapping of utility contact points | Create utility schematics identifying product-contact risk zones |