3717-1-06.1(M) Physical facilities: design, construction, and installation

Outer openings - protected.

(1)

Except as provided in paragraphs (M)(3) and (M)(4) of this rule, outer openings of a food service operation or retail food establishment are to be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by:

(a)

Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings;

(b)

Closed, tight-fitting windows; and

(c)

Solid, self-closing, tight-fitting doors.

(2)

Paragraph (M)(1) of this rule does not apply if a food service operation or retail food establishment opens into a larger structure, such as a mall, airport, or office building, or into an attached structure, such as a porch, and the outer openings from the larger or attached structure are protected against the entry of insects and rodents.

(3)

Exterior emergency exit doors need not be self-closing if they are:

(a)

Solid and tight-fitting;

(b)

Designated for use only when an emergency exists, by the fire protection authority that has jurisdiction over the food service operation or retail food establishment; and

(c)

Limited-use so they are not used for entrance or exit from the building for purposes other than the designated emergency exit use.

(4)

Except as specified in paragraphs (M)(2) and (M)(5) of this rule, if the windows or doors of a food service operation or retail food establishment, or of a larger structure within which a food service operation or retail food establishment is located, are kept open for ventilation or other purposes or a temporary food service operation or temporary retail food establishment is not provided with windows and doors as specified under paragraph (M)(1) of this rule, the openings are to be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by:

(a)

Sixteen mesh to one inch (sixteen mesh to 25.4 millimeters) screens;

(b)

Properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects; or

(c)

Other effective means.

(5)

Paragraph (M)(4) of this rule does not apply if flying insects and other pests are absent due to the location of the food service operation or retail food establishment, the weather, or other limiting condition.