Hygienic Stainless Steel Covers

Learn more about what is needed for well ventilated, protected enclosures in the food and beverage industry. 

When an electrical panel is installed in a production line in the food and beverage industry, it is essential that all the equipment meets the hygiene requirements set out by the Food Standards Agency and other similar governing bodies.

In areas dedicated to food production, there are restrictive hygiene regulations that are designed to prevent contamination during the various processing stages and to facilitate the operations of cleaning, maintenance and disinfection of the machines involved. A major contributing factor to the effectiveness of equipment cleaning is the material that the equipment is built from. Stainless steel offers the properties required for food production hygiene.

In the food and beverage industry, stainless steel is widely used because of its corrosion resistance, anti-bacterial properties and ease of cleaning. Stainless steel has a chrome oxide layer, preventing any reaction between the surface and product. When stainless steel comes into contact with moist air or water, it does not oxidize, but forms a protective layer on the surface. This preserves the smooth, hygienic surface and prevents rust contamination. This allows for more effective sanitation as food protein can be completely removed from machines and surfaces at the end of processes with water and detergents. The most common types of steel employed are AISI 304 and AISI 316.

Enclosures situated in food processing environments house vital electrical equipment that needs to be properly ventilated. Filter fans and inlets need to be installed on the panels to avoid overheating and condensation within the enclosure. Given the use of water and detergents to sanitise the food production areas, fans and inlets need to be protected against the ingress of excessive moisture and food matter.

To achieve a balance between ventilating enclosures and protecting them from water and debris, AISI 304 stainless steel covers have been designed by our supplier, Fandis. Mounted on filter fan units, the covers protect the contents of the panel from the possible infiltration of food and water jets during cleaning to a classification of IP56 (read our guide on ingress protection).

Designed for use with the “FPF”and “FF” series, stainless steel covers are not only suitable for the food industry but also provide weatherproof protection against rain, snow, direct sunlight or vandalism which normal plastic may be vulnerable to.

The stainless steel construction and permanent gasket are easy to keep clean and are available in all sizes; 08, 12, 13, 15 and 20. The steel covers can be retrofitted onto existing cabinets and can be steam cleaned and easily sterilised.

View our range of stainless steel covers here.