Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of washing and disinfection of industrial facilities at enterprises

06 june's 2024

In the production premises of enterprises, compliance with strict sanitary standards is a critical factor for ensuring product safety and consumer health. Effective cleaning and disinfection of industrial premises play a key role in preventing contamination and the spread of pathogenic microorganisms.

However, simply carrying out washing and disinfection procedures is not enough to guarantee their effectiveness. It is necessary to constantly monitor and evaluate the results of these processes to ensure their sufficiency and reliability. Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of washing and disinfection help enterprises not only maintain a high level of hygiene, but also optimize the cost of sanitary measures, ensuring a balance between quality and economic feasibility.

The main methods of washing and disinfection

To ensure a high level of hygiene in industrial premises, there are many methods of washing and disinfection. Each of them has its own characteristics, advantages and limitations. Let’s look at the main methods that are used in enterprises to clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment.

Mechanical cleaning

Mechanical cleaning involves removing dirt from surfaces using physical means such as scrapers, brushes, sponges and other tools. This method is effective for removing large particles and deposits.

The main advantages of mechanical cleaning:

Simplicity and accessibility of the method.
Low costs for equipment and materials.
The possibility of spot treatment of hard-to-reach places.

However, mechanical cleaning has its drawbacks:

It does not always ensure complete removal of germs.
It depends on the labor costs and qualifications of the staff.
It can be time-consuming and time-consuming with large amounts of work.

Foam sink

Foam washing consists in using special foam generators that apply a thick foam containing detergents and disinfectants to the surface. The foam effectively penetrates into hard-to-reach places and is held on vertical surfaces, which ensures long-term exposure to active ingredients.

Advantages of foam washing:

High efficiency in removing impurities and microbes.
Saving detergents due to the uniform distribution of foam.
Reduction of labor costs due to automation of the process.

The disadvantages include:

The need for special equipment (foam generators).
It requires precise adjustment of the concentration of detergents and disinfectants.

Disinfection using chemicals

Chemical disinfection includes the use of various disinfectant solutions and agents for the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms. The most common chemical disinfectants include:

Chlorine-containing products
Peroxides
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Alcohols

Advantages of chemical disinfection:

High efficiency against a wide range of microorganisms.
The possibility of choosing the means depending on the type of contamination and microorganisms.

Disadvantages:

Possible chemical residues on surfaces.
Requirements for compliance with safety rules when working with chemicals.
Potential impact on materials and equipment.

Thermal disinfection

Thermal disinfection uses high temperatures to kill microorganisms. This method may involve the use of steam, hot water, or dry heat.

Advantages of thermal disinfection:

High efficiency without the use of chemicals.
No residual chemicals on the treated surfaces.
The possibility of use in the food industry for processing equipment and surfaces in contact with products.

Disadvantages:

High energy consumption.
The need for special equipment to generate steam or heat water.
Possible damage to heat-sensitive materials and equipment.

Each of the described methods has its own specific applications and effectiveness. In practice, a combined approach is often used, combining several methods to achieve the maximum effect of cleaning and disinfection of industrial premises.

Criteria for evaluating effectiveness

Evaluating the effectiveness of washing and disinfection is a key aspect for maintaining a high level of hygiene in enterprises. There are several critical criteria that allow you to objectively assess how successfully these procedures have been carried out. Let’s look at the main ones.

Microbiological criteria

One of the most significant criteria for evaluating effectiveness is microbiological analysis. It includes the following aspects:

Sanitary and microbiological control: carried out by taking samples from the surface after washing and disinfection. The samples are examined for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses). Methods of culture media seeding and subsequent colony counting are used for evaluation.
Residual microflora analysis: checking for the presence of microbes that may have remained after treatment. This helps to assess the quality of the procedures performed and identify areas that require additional attention.

Chemical criteria

Chemical analysis includes checking for residues of detergents and disinfectants on surfaces. The main aspects of chemical control:

Testing for residual chemicals: carried out using special test systems and indicators that allow you to detect the presence of residual detergents and disinfectants.
pH level check: Used to assess the acid-base balance on treated surfaces, which may indicate residual traces of detergents.

Visual assessment

Visual inspection of surfaces after washing and disinfection is also an important criterion. It includes the following aspects:

Visible contamination: Check for food residues, fat, scale and other visible contaminants.
Surface condition: assessment of the general condition of the surfaces for cleanliness and absence of damage.

The assessment of washing and disinfection processes takes place using a combination of these criteria, which allows enterprises to maintain a high level of sanitation and ensure the safety of final products.

Methods of analysis and control

Evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection of industrial premises requires the use of various methods of analysis and control. These methods allow us to obtain objective data on the quality of the procedures performed, identify shortcomings in a timely manner and make necessary adjustments. Let’s consider the main methods of analysis and control used in production practice.

Traditional methods of analysis

Microbiological tests.
Tests for residual chemicals.

Microbiological tests, such as culture media seeding, are one of the most common methods of microbiological analysis. Samples are taken from surfaces after washing and disinfection and seeded on nutrient media. Based on the results of incubation, colonies of microorganisms are counted.

The main steps include taking flushes or samples from the surface, sowing on nutrient media, incubation at a certain temperature for a specified time and counting the number of colony-forming units (CFU). The Reed and Muir test is based on taking flushes from surfaces and subsequent incubation on an agar plate, which makes it possible to determine the presence and number of various microorganisms. Microbiological analysis of air uses special devices that collect air samples in industrial premises, which are analyzed for the presence of aerosol microorganisms.

Tests for residual chemicals include indicator tests and chemical analysis. Indicator tests are quick tests that change color when there are residues of detergents and disinfectants on surfaces. Examples of such tests include indicator strips to determine the pH level or the presence of certain chemicals. Chemical analysis includes laboratory analysis methods such as titration, spectrophotometry and chromatography, which are used to accurately determine the concentration of residual chemicals on surfaces.

Modern control methods

They include fast test systems and the use of sensors and automated monitoring systems. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) tests measure the level of ATP, a molecule present in all living cells. Samples are taken from surfaces and analyzed using a luminometer that measures the level of bioluminescence. The advantages of these tests include fast results (within minutes), high sensitivity and accuracy, and the possibility of on-site use (on the production line). Fluorescent tests use fluorescent dyes that bind to certain molecules (for example, proteins or nucleic acids) and allow you to visually assess the level of contamination under ultraviolet light.

Sensors for monitoring the level of contamination allow you to constantly monitor the condition of surfaces and equipment. Sensors can be integrated into production lines and automatically transmit data to the enterprise management system. Environmental monitoring systems are automated systems that monitor environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, air pollution levels) in real time and provide data for analysis.

Laboratory analysis and standardization include the use of the services of accredited laboratories to conduct regular sample analyses.

This ensures the accuracy and reliability of the results that meet international standards. Regular verification and confirmation of methods of analysis and control (validation and verification of methods) ensure their compliance with established standards and requirements.

Washing and disinfection tools and equipment include washing and disinfection equipment such as foam generators, pressure washers, steam generators and others, which must be regularly checked and calibrated to ensure their effective operation. Automatic dosing systems automatically regulate the supply of detergents and disinfectants, ensuring their accurate concentration and economical use. Monitoring devices and devices such as temperature, pressure, flow meters and others are used to monitor the parameters of cleaning and disinfecting processes.

Documentation and reporting include logging and protocols that record the results of analyses and inspections, as well as all cleaning and disinfection activities. Regular reporting on the results of analysis and control and data analysis allow you to identify trends and problem areas. The implementation of quality management systems such as HACCP (Risk Analysis and Critical control points) and ISO 22000 ensures systematic monitoring and improvement of washing and disinfection processes.

The use of all these methods of analysis and control allows enterprises to effectively manage the washing and disinfection processes, identify and eliminate problems in a timely manner, ensuring a high level of hygiene and product safety.

Advantages

Work with us

Own production

We ourselves produce most of the items for the system: Pumping stations, foam stations, mobile carts, holders, mounting stands, etc.

Own Trademark

We have registered our own trademark and always make sure that the client is satisfied and recommends us to specialists from other enterprises

Our work experience

The OdysseySystems company provides a full range of services in matters of cleanliness in food enterprises: from application processing to facility commissioning and personnel training. Our specialists will install the system in any region of the Russian Federation.

Providing a test sample

For enterprises that have water treatment systems installed that provide a working pressure of 20 bar, we can provide a test sample of a foam satellite for 30 days for operation at the enterprise.

Staged financing

The advance payment is 50% of the total contract amount. 30% is paid before shipping the goods to the customer. 20% is paid within 10 days after signing the equipment acceptance certificate

Turnkey works

The OdysseySystems company provides a full range of services in matters of cleanliness in food enterprises: from application processing to facility commissioning and personnel training. Our specialists will install the system in any region of the Russian Federation.

+7 (3852) 22-32-14

+7-913-250-76-88

mail@odysseysystems.ru
Russian Federation, 656037, Altai Territory. Barnaul, Kalinin ave. 116/10
OGRN: 1142208000164
INN: 2208023628

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