4  SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES TO COVER EXCEPTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND CLEANING OF ALL BAKERY EQUIPMENT, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3.

4.29  DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTION CABINETS AND CONTAINERS

4.29.1 Definitions

4.29.1.1 Distribution Cabinet: A fully enclosed container or device used for the storage or distribution of bakery products carried in a distribution container.

4.29.1.2 Distribution Container: A basket, tray, rack or other device, which may or may not be totally enclosed, which is used for the storage or distribution of bakery products.

4.29.1.3 The product zone for unwrapped bakery products shall include all interior surfaces of distribution cabinets and all surfaces of distribution containers, such as baskets, trays and racks.

4.29.2 Specific Design Requirements for Distribution Cabinets

4.29.2.1 Permanently joined metal surfaces of distribution cabinets shall be butted and welded or brazed, or shall be closed and sealed.

4.29.2.2 Raised projecting screws, threaded bolts or bolt heads shall not be used. Where low profile solid head rivets and bolts or similar devices are used at main structural joints, they shall be closed and sealed.

4.29.2.3 All tray slides that are permanently joined shall be closed and sealed. All other tray slides shall be readily removable.

4.29.2.4 A clearance of at least 1½ inches (40mm) shall be provided between the lowest shelf support and the bottom of the distribution cabinets.

4.29.2.5 Shelf supports of distribution cabinets shall be spaced so that the vertical clearance shall be at least a distance equal to the width of the horizontal lip.

4.29.2.6 Shelves in distribution cabinets shall be readily accessible or readily removable.

4.29.2.7 Identification card holder shall be constructed with the bottom open except for the minimum number of points required to hold the card, or shall be readily removable.

4.29.3 Specific Design Requirements for Distribution Containers

4.29.3.1 Permanently joined surfaces of distribution racks or racks permanently installed or used in trucks or trailers which handle unwrapped bakery products shall conform to Section 3.1 except 3.1.11 and 3.1.12 but shall comply with Sections 4.29.2.1, 4.29.2.2 and 4.29.2.3.

4.29.3.2 Permanently joined surfaces of distribution racks or racks permanently installed or used in trucks or trailers which exclusively handle wrapped bakery products shall conform to Section 3.1 except Section 3.1.5, 3.1.11 and 3.1.12. Rails, rail supports, braces and other permanent structural supports shall be closed.

4.29.3.3 Latches and hinges of trucks or trailers shall be exempted from provisions of Section 3.1.17.

4.29.3.4 Distribution containers for wrapped bakery products shall be exempted from Section 3.1.5.

4.29.3.5 The distribution containers shall be self-draining and easily cleanable.

4.29.3.6 Wires and/or rods of metal distribution containers shall be joined wherever they meet each other by continuous welding, the length of which shall not be any greater than the diameter of the larger wire or rod.

4.29.3.7 Handles, swing-over stacking bars, cover hinges and/or bails of distribution containers shall be free enough so that all surfaces are readily accessible.

4.29.3.8 When solid frames and wire grids are used in distribution containers, the solid frames shall be so constructed that the underside and corners shall be readily accessible or, if closed, shall be sealed by welding or by other suitable means, and shall be formed to the outside of the container. Where horizontal wires are attached to the frames, the space between the end of the wire and the vertical member of the frame shall be at least 1/8 inch (3mm). The wire must be fastened to the bottom horizontal member or have ¼ inch (6mm) space between this bottom member and the wire. Distribution containers of this type are designed for wrapped bakery products only.

4.29.3.9 Reinforcing ribs of distribution containers shall not form horizontal surfaces and shall be external.

4.29.3.9.1 Horizontal elevations may be used as structural members on plastic distribution containers provided they are elevated no more than ½ inch (12mm) and spaced no less than 3 times the width of such member, and inclined or sloped to facilitate drainage.

4.29.3.10 Locking channels must be constructed so that the depth of the channel does not exceed its width or length, and shall be readily accessible and self-draining in the upright or inverted position. The channel shall not be continuous in length. The length of the channel segments shall not exceed 2 inches (50mm) and shall not be closer together than its length.

4.29.3.11 Shelves in distribution containers shall be readily accessible or readily removable.

4.29.3.12 Permanently molded surfaces of plastic containers with totally included internal angles less than 135 degrees shall have a radius of not less than 1/8 inch (3mm) tangential to both adjacent surfaces.