Standard Parts in Hygienic Design

Enhancing Hygiene and Efficiency

The Essential Role of Standard Parts in Hygienic Design

In industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, maintaining stringent hygiene standards is paramount. A critical aspect of this is the implementation of standard parts in hygienic design, which ensures that equipment is not only efficient but also minimizes the risk of contamination.

Understanding Hygienic Design

Hygienic design refers to the engineering and configuration of equipment and facilities to meet specific cleanliness standards. This design approach aims to prevent contamination by ensuring that all equipment surfaces are cleanable to a microbiological level. Key principles of hygienic design include:

• Material Selection: Utilizing materials that are corrosion-resistant, non-toxic, and compatible with cleaning agents. Stainless steel, particularly AISI-304 and AISI-316, is commonly used due to its durability and ease of cleaning.
• Surface Finish: Ensuring surfaces have a smooth finish, typically with a roughness average (Ra) of less than 0.8 micrometers, to prevent bacterial adhesion and facilitate cleaning.
• Drainability: Designing equipment so that all surfaces are self-draining, preventing the accumulation of liquids that could harbor bacteria. A minimum slope of 3% is often recommended for surfaces.
• Accessibility: Constructing equipment to allow easy access for cleaning, inspection, and maintenance without the need for specialized tools.

Implementing these principles reduces contamination risks and enhances overall equipment efficiency.

The Role of Standard Parts in Hygienic Design

Standard parts, such as knobs, handles, leveling feet, and screws, play a vital role in the hygienic design of equipment. These components must adhere to the same stringent hygiene standards as the primary equipment to prevent them from becoming contamination points.

Benefits of Using Hygienic Standard Parts

1. Enhanced Cleanability: Components designed with smooth surfaces and minimal crevices are easier to clean, reducing the risk of bacterial growth.
2. Compliance with Regulations: Utilizing certified hygienic components ensures adherence to industry standards such as those set by the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) and 3-A Sanitary Standards.
3. Resource Efficiency: Properly designed components can lead to significant savings in cleaning time, water, and detergents. For instance, tests have shown that certified hygienic leveling feet require 28% fewer resources to clean compared to fully-threaded alternatives.
4. Improved Safety: Reducing contamination risks enhances food and product safety, protecting consumer health and maintaining brand reputation.

Examples of Hygienic Standard Parts

• Hygienic Knobs and Handles: Designed with smooth, rounded surfaces to prevent dirt accumulation and facilitate easy cleaning.
• Leveling Feet: Constructed with self-draining surfaces and sealed threads to prevent bacterial ingress.
• Hinges and Latches: Engineered to minimize gaps and crevices, ensuring thorough cleaning and reducing contamination points.

Manufacturers like Elesa offer a comprehensive range of standard machine parts designed for hygienic applications, including adjustable handles, knobs, screws, and nuts.

Industry Standards and Certifications

Adhering to established standards is crucial in implementing hygienic design. Key organizations and standards include:

• 3-A Sanitary Standards: Focuses on the design and fabrication of equipment used in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries to ensure cleanability and inspectability.
• EHEDG: Provides guidelines and certifications for equipment design to promote hygiene during food processing and packaging.
• ASME BPE: Covers the design of equipment used in bioprocessing, ensuring components meet hygienic standards suitable for pharmaceutical applications.

Utilizing components that meet these standards ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and promotes best practices in hygienic design.

Incorporating standard parts designed with hygienic principles is essential for industries where cleanliness and contamination control are critical. By selecting components that adhere to established hygienic design standards, manufacturers can enhance product safety, comply with regulations, and achieve operational efficiencies.

Investing in hygienic standard parts is not merely a regulatory obligation but a commitment to quality and consumer safety, ultimately contributing to a company’s success and reputation in the market.

Get our catalogue here

See our product line here

Understanding Hygienic Design

Hygienic design refers to the engineering and construction of equipment in a way that minimizes contamination risks and ensures that all surfaces can be cleaned to a microbiological level. This concept is essential in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries, where even minor contamination can lead to serious health risks and regulatory penalties.

Key Principles of Hygienic Design

1. Material Selection
   Standard parts used in hygienic environments must be made from materials resistant to corrosion, chemicals, and bacterial growth. Stainless steel (AISI 304 and AISI 316) is the most commonly used material due to its durability, non-reactivity, and ease of cleaning.
2. Smooth and Crevice-Free Surfaces
   Hygienic components must have a surface roughness (Ra) of ≤0.8 µm, ensuring bacteria and dirt cannot accumulate in microscopic crevices. Polished and seamless surfaces further improve cleanability.
3. Drainability and Self-Cleaning Design
   Parts must be designed to prevent liquid accumulation, which can harbor bacteria. A minimum 3% slope in components like leveling feet ensures self-draining properties.
4. Ease of Access for Cleaning
   Equipment and standard parts should allow tool-free disassembly or have minimal dead zones where contaminants could accumulate.
5. Compliance with Industry Standards
   Components should adhere to standards like:
   • EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group)
   • 3-A Sanitary Standards (for dairy, beverage, and food processing)
   • FDA and USDA compliance for food-contact applications

Importance of Standard Parts in Hygienic Design

Standard parts play a crucial role in ensuring that hygienic processes remain contamination-free. Traditional components often contain threaded sections, sharp edges, and unsealed joints, all of which create contamination risks. By contrast, hygienic standard parts are specifically designed to eliminate these vulnerabilities.

1. Hygienic Knobs and Handles

In industries where machinery must be adjusted or operated manually, knobs and handles must be easy to clean and resistant to bacterial growth. Hygienic versions are designed with:

• Sealed mounting points to prevent bacterial ingress.
• Rounded edges to avoid dirt buildup.
• Non-porous materials, ensuring no microbial absorption.

2. Hygienic Leveling Feet

Adjustable leveling feet provide stability for machinery while also allowing for easy cleaning underneath equipment. Hygienic models are:

• Designed with a self-draining structure to prevent liquid retention.
• Fully sealed with no exposed threads, eliminating contamination points.
• Made of AISI 316 stainless steel, offering superior corrosion resistance.

3. Hygienic Fasteners (Bolts, Nuts, Screws)

Even small fasteners can create hygiene risks if they trap particles or are difficult to clean. Hygienic fasteners:

• Feature a polished finish to prevent microbial adhesion.
• Include self-sealing washers to cover potential contamination sites.
• Use high-grade stainless steel for durability against aggressive cleaning chemicals.

4. Hygienic Hinges and Latches

In food and pharmaceutical facilities, equipment doors must be securely closed while also being easy to clean. Hygienic hinges and latches:

• Have smooth surfaces with no exposed screws or gaps.
• Are made from stainless steel and sealed to prevent bacterial ingress.
• Are designed for tool-free disassembly, facilitating quick and thorough cleaning.

Benefits of Using Hygienic Standard Parts

1. Improved Cleanability and Hygiene Compliance

Hygienic standard parts reduce cleaning time by up to 30% compared to conventional components. Their smooth, sealed surfaces ensure that contaminants do not accumulate, making them easy to sanitize using industry-standard cleaning procedures such as CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Sterilization-in-Place).

2. Enhanced Food and Product Safety

Using certified hygienic components minimizes the risk of bacterial contamination, thereby enhancing food safety and reducing the likelihood of recalls due to hygiene breaches.

3. Cost and Resource Efficiency

By optimizing cleanability, hygienic parts help businesses:

• Reduce water and detergent consumption.
• Minimize downtime for cleaning and maintenance.
• Extend equipment lifespan due to superior material resistance.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Industries must meet strict hygiene regulations, and using certified standard parts simplifies compliance with organizations such as:

• FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
• EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group)
• 3-A Sanitary Standards (for dairy and food processing)
• ISO 14159: Safety of Machinery – Hygiene Requirements

Choosing the Right Hygienic Standard Parts

When selecting hygienic components, businesses should consider the following factors:

✔ Material Composition – Stainless steel (AISI 304/316) or high-performance plastics like POM (Polyoxymethylene).
✔ Certifications – Ensure the component is EHEDG-certified or 3-A Sanitary approved.
✔ Application-Specific Needs – Choose parts designed for high-pressure washdowns, corrosive environments, or extreme temperatures if required.
✔ Manufacturer Reputation – Select suppliers with a proven track record in hygienic design.

Leading manufacturers offer certified hygienic standard parts for various industries, ensuring compliance with the latest sanitary requirements.

Ensuring Cleanliness, Compliance and Efficiency

Hygienic standard parts are an essential yet often overlooked element in ensuring cleanliness, safety, and compliance in critical industries. From leveling feet to fasteners, every component must be designed with hygiene in mind to minimize contamination risks and improve operational efficiency.

By investing in high-quality, certified hygienic standard parts, businesses can enhance product safety, reduce cleaning costs, and comply with stringent regulatory standards. As the demand for food safety and pharmaceutical-grade cleanliness increases, adopting these components is not just an option—it is a necessity.

Are your equipment components truly hygienic? Make the switch to certified hygienic standard parts today for a cleaner, safer, and more efficient operation.

Questions and contact

Contact us for hygienic solution

Get our catalogue here