Weldment inspection for food industry 1

[PatCouture]

Hi, I would like to find a document describing the correct procedure for welding stainless steel in a sanitary application for the food industry.

I need to know what kind of weldments are accepted in the food industry and how to inspect those weldments.

If someone can point me to the according standard I would be very grateful.

Thanks

Patrick
P.S. I'm in Canada

 

[mcguire]

If the National Sanitation Foundation doesn't specify it, I doubt a standard exists. They are in Ann Arbor, MI. This is a largely self-regulated industry.

Michael McGuire

http://stainlesssteelforengineers.blogspot.com/

 

[HEC]

Patrick,
Try New Zealand SS Fabrication "Blue Book" or the Australian SS Development association (ASSDA for google, they have a guide book.
Cheers

Mark Hutton

 

[EdStainless]

There is some information in the 3A standards, but not much. The food industry isn't very picky, if it is clean and smooth you are fine. Don't get me started on the Pharma guys...

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Plymouth Tube

 

[SJones]

http://www.hygienicstainless.org/index.cfm?ci_id=11212&la_id=1

or

http://www.nickelinstitute.org/inde...d=15786&la_id=1&method=2&search_keyword=11026

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdoweb/

 

[HEC]

EdStainless,
What is wrong with the Pharma Guys! Having worked in both food (you are right they are not too pickey, basic principals are keep it fully open so it can be flushed) and Pharma. The paranoia here is due mainly to cleaning validations (how much residual drug active will create a problem times the equipment surface area) and potentially leaching from product contact surfaces and contaminating the batch that way. Personally I'm glad the Pharma guys are paranoid! I'm not real keen on mass produced pies on teh other hand!
Cheers

Mark Hutton

 

[GRoberts]

From the AWS website:

"AWS D18.1 SPECIFICATION FOR WELDING OF AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL TUBE AND PIPE SYSTEMS IN SANITARY (HYGIENIC) APPLICATIONS
(1999) $48.00


This document outlines welding standards for use in the manufacture and construction of dairy and food product processing plants. Compiled at the request of the 3A Sanitary Standards Committee, which develops sanitary design standards for dairy and food processing, packaging, and handling equipment and systems. Covers the requirements for gas tungsten arc welding GTAW of austenitic stainless steel tube and pipe at least inch 6 mm in diameter in the fabrication and construction of new sanitary hygienic processing systems. The specification list the required essential and nonessential variables for a written welding procedure qualification WPS, and acceptance criteria for procedure qualification for visual and mechanical testing of welds. ANSI Approved"