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TACKLING A MAJOR CAUSE OF FOOD CONTAMINATION

TACKLING A MAJOR CAUSE OF FOOD CONTAMINATION

Tackling a major cause of food contamination: Upgrading sanitary drain systems without disrupting production.

By: Viking Kristjansson, Vice President of Sales Engineering, FoodSafe Drains.

In recent years, the food and beverage industry has faced an alarming rise in foodborne illness outbreaks, including listeria and other harmful contaminants. These incidents have jeopardised public health while inflicting severe financial and reputational harm on businesses.

Investigations often trace the source of these outbreaks to failing drain systems in food production facilities. Indeed, the majority of positive bacterial screens at food plants are found in the drainage and floor environment.

Outdated, poorly designed drainage systems create an ideal breeding ground for contaminants, posing serious risks to hygiene and safety. Whether it’s a new greenfield project or a legacy facility, upgrading to modern, state-of-the-art drainage solutions is crucial for minimising these hazards. These advanced systems are specifically designed to prevent the build-up of harmful substances, while their streamlined construction makes cleaning far more efficient—an essential factor in maintaining safe and hygienic food production environments.

Beyond hygiene, aging drainage systems, particularly those with grates, present additional challenges. They can be cumbersome to maintain, create safety risks for workers, and cause damage to equipment. Upgrading drainage infrastructure enhances both operational efficiency and workplace safety, delivering a strong return on investment.

Challenge: Upgrading the Drainage System Without Disrupting Production

Food processing facilities face a significant challenge: addressing critical food safety risks posed by failing sanitary drains while minimizing disruptions to production during repairs and upgrades.

All renovation projects are notoriously fraught with unpredictability, from unexpected structural issues to delays caused by supply chain shortages or unforeseen complications. Upgrading drain systems is an especially complex, multi-step process that demands expertise across multiple trades. From site analysis and solution design to demolition, excavation, concrete pouring, and floor coating, each stage requires precision and skill to ensure a successful outcome.

This challenge becomes even more formidable for facilities operating under tight production schedules, where planned shutdowns typically provide only a narrow two- to three-day window for completion. Confidently navigating such a complex process improvement within these time constraints demands extensive expertise, meticulous planning, flawless coordination, and precise execution.

Adding to the complexity is the need to ensure all construction work conforms to the stringent requirements of the food and beverage industry. Both the construction process and the final project outcome must adhere to rigorous cleanliness and sanitary standards, leaving no room for compromise.

Three Essential Factors for a Successful Drain Upgrade

  1. Designing the Optimal Drain System

Upgrading a sanitary drain system begins with a design tailored to meet the specific needs of each facility area. This requires collaboration with experts who take a “whole building approach,” combining expertise in food safe production facilities with a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art drainage solutions.

  • Area Drains: These are ideal for smaller spaces, such as individual processing zones or equipment washdown areas. Area drains efficiently collect and remove water, creating a safe and hygienic workspace.
  • Trench Drains: Suitable for larger spaces like production floors or packaging lines, trench drains handle high-capacity water flow, effectively preventing pooling and flooding.
  • Slot Drains: The latest innovation in sanitary drainage, slot drains offer exceptional durability and easy cleaning. With a narrow channel design, they eliminate the need for traditional grates, providing a sleek, seamless look. Advanced systems include clean-in-place (CIP) functionality and heavy-duty construction capable of withstanding forklift traffic. Their discreet appearance makes them ideal for customer-facing areas where aesthetics matter.

FoodSafe Drains Slot Drain Systems exemplify these advantages. Constructed with NSF/ANSI approved stainless steel and featuring a patented no-niche design, these systems effectively mitigate potential bacterial threats. The seamless construction, with smooth corners and sloped bottoms, prevents standing water and eliminates bacteria-trapping areas. These drains are also forklift-rated and come with unique accessories like flexible cleaning brushes and locking strainer baskets, enhancing both safety and maintainability.

Selecting the right drainage solution for each area is critical for performance, durability, and ease of maintenance. Factors like flow rate, chemical resistance, and load capacity must be considered. An optimised system minimises downtime, enhances hygiene, and ensures reliable, long-term operation.

  1. Choosing a Complete Solution Provider for Streamlined Installation

Partnering with an all-in-one solution provider that is an expert in food and beverage facilities is essential for ensuring a seamless and efficient upgrade process, completed on time and within budget. These facilities require specialised expertise and attention to detail to meet stringent safety and hygiene standards. A full-service partner manages every stage of the project—from initial design and product selection to project management and installation—ensuring a seamless execution from start to finish.

Crucially, experienced providers like FoodSafe Drains offer minimal operational downtime during upgrades, with the ability to perform drain improvements within a limited timeframe (two-three days) during planned shutdowns. This is vital in the food and beverage industry, where downtime leads to productivity loss, potentially costing thousands of dollars per hour. Minimising downtime not only reduces production delays and maintains output levels but also ensures consistent quality control and compliance with safety standards. By keeping disruptions to a minimum, companies can avoid product shortages, maintain customer satisfaction, and preserve their competitive edge in the market.

When it comes to upgrades, a structured approach is vital. Here are the 6 steps involved in drain improvement projects:

  • Scanning & Scoping: A thorough site assessment is conducted to uncover existing issues and precisely outline the project scope. This process involves identifying hidden challenges, such as concealed pipes and electrical wiring, to minimise the risk of unforeseen complications. By addressing potential obstacles early, this step creates a clear, detailed, and risk-aware plan, ensuring a smooth path forward for the project.
  • Cutting & Coring: Precise cutting and coring of the concrete floor are required to access and prepare the areas for new installations.
  • Excavation: Careful removal of material to create the necessary space for new infrastructure, while ensuring surrounding areas remain intact.
  • Drain Installation: Properly installing high-quality drains is essential for maintaining hygiene standards and reducing the likelihood of future maintenance issues.
  • Concrete Pour: Pouring and levelling the concrete to form a strong, durable foundation for your upgraded system.
  • Floor Coatings: Adding protective coatings to ensure a seamless, non-porous surface that is resistant to wear, bacteria, and other contaminants.

Expert providers bring specialized knowledge to every stage, helping you avoid common installation mistakes such as misalignment or gaps, which can lead to costly repairs, safety hazards, or hygiene concerns. With a well-coordinated and experienced team, you can trust that your upgraded drain system will meet the highest standards for safety, cleanliness, and operational efficiency.

  1. Prioritising Drain Maintenance for Plant Hygiene and Efficiency

Installing a high-performance drain system is just the beginning. To ensure optimal hygiene and productivity in your production facility, the drain system must be treated as a critical piece of equipment. Regular maintenance is key to keeping it efficient and sanitary. Partnering with experts who provide specialised cleaning tools simplifies the process, guaranteeing proper maintenance every time.

Modern slot drain systems, combined with purpose-built cleaning tools, can reduce cleaning effort and costs by up to 75% annually compared to traditional trench grates. Easier cleaning also increases consistency, as workers are more likely to complete the task thoroughly.

FoodSafe Drains Slot Drain Systems exemplify this commitment to hygiene and efficiency. Designed with seamless construction, NSF/ANSI-approved stainless steel, and proprietary cleaning accessories like flexible brushes and fitted paddles, these systems make maintenance straightforward while minimising bacterial risks. Their innovative design not only extends system lifespan but also supports a cleaner, safer work environment for employees. Additionally, FoodSafe Drains’ systems are designed to be user-friendly in today’s challenging labour market.

By focusing on three key factors—smart design, seamless installation, and regular maintenance—food and beverage facilities can successfully upgrade their sanitary drain systems with minimal disruption to production. A well-designed drainage solution, implemented by expert providers, not only addresses critical food safety risks but also enhances operational efficiency and workplace safety. With proper maintenance, these modern systems can significantly reduce cleaning efforts and costs while ensuring long-term hygiene and reliability. Ultimately, investing in state-of-the-art drainage infrastructure delivers a strong return on investment by safeguarding public health, protecting brand reputation, and optimising facility performance.

About Global Drain Technologies (GDT)

Global Drain Technologies is a leader in manufacturing drainage products and systems, providing innovative solutions tailored to industry-specific needs. Through GDT’s FoodSafe Drains Division, GDT delivers specialised drainage solutions for the Food and Beverage sector. Additionally, GDT offers a comprehensive range of interior and exterior drainage solutions for both residential and commercial applications. GDT’s Landscape Drains products are designed for exterior use, enhancing residential and commercial properties with the benefits of our Slot Drain technology. As the inventor of the Slot Drain, GDT offers unparalleled expertise in integrated drainage solutions for both new construction and retrofit projects. GDT’s approach emphasises value-added design, manufacturing, and product delivery, ensuring that products are hygienic, easy to clean, and maintain. GDT is committed to providing industry-leading service, support, and engineering

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