Construction requirements for mobile food facilities

Warewashing sink

(For mobile food facilities types 4 to 5)

Mobile facilities where non-prepackaged food is cooked, blended, or otherwise prepared need to have a warewashing sink.

The warewashing sink needs:

• At least 3 compartments with 2 integral metal drainboards.
• Dimensions large enough to accommodate the cleaning of largest utensils, with either of the following:
  • at least 12 inches wide, 12 inches long and 10 inches deep
  • at least 10 inches wide, 14 inches long and 10 inches deep
• Each drainboard shall be at least the size of one of the sink compartments. The drainboard shall be installed with at least 1/8 inch per foot slope toward the sink compartment, and fabricated with a minimum of half-an-inch lip or rim to prevent spillage.

Warewashing sinks should also:

• Equipped with mixing faucet that has a swivel spigot capable of reaching all sink compartments
• Be an integral part of the primary unit or in an approved auxiliary transport that is used with the mobile food facility
• Supplied with hot water at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit (through the mixing faucet)

Mobile food facilities that only serve the following items are not required to provide warewashing sink, if all utensils and equipment are washed and sanitized on a daily basis at the approved commissary or other approved facility and MFF provides and maintains an adequate supply of spare preparation and serving utensils to replace those that become soiled or contaminated.

• Non-PHFs that do not require preparation other than heating, baking, popping, portioning, bulk dispensing, assembly or shaving of ice;
• Steamed or boiled hotdogs
• Tamales in the original, inedible wrapper

MFFs that only prepare potentially hazardous beverages for immediate service in response to individual order must do one of the following:

• Provide 3 a compartment sink
• Provide at least 2 compartment sink that complies with Subdivision e of Section 114099.3 of the California Retail Food Code
• Provide 1 compartment sink with at least 1 integral metal drainboard and adequate supply of spare preparation utensils to replace soiled or contaminated ones and warewashing facility in reasonable proximity to and readily accessible for use by food employees at all times.

Mechanical refrigeration units

(For mobile food facilities types 2, 4, and 5)

A mechanical, NSF approved, refrigeration unit is required for the storage of potentially hazardous foods (PHFs), except for prepackaged frozen ready to eat foods, whole fish and whole aquatic invertebrates. Mechanical unit must meet applicable Underwriters Laboratory (UL) standards for electrical equipment. The units shall be of sufficient number and capacity to ensure proper food temperature control during transportation and operation.

Mechanical exhaust ventilation system

(For mobile food facilities types 4 to 5)

A ventilation system must be located over all cooking equipment as required to effectively remove cooking odors, smoke, steam, grease, heat and vapors.

• All mechanical exhaust ventilation equipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the California Uniform Mechanical Code (CUMC) or for OMFFs, certified and approved by HCD
• Hoods shall be installed to provide for thorough cleaning of all interior and exterior surfaces, including but not limited to, the hood, filters, piping, lights, troughs, hangers, flanges and exhaust ducts
• Filters and other grease extracting equipment shall be designed to be readily removable for cleaning and replacement if not designed to be cleaned in place.
• Every joint and seam shall be substantially tight. No solder shall be used except for sealing a joint or seam.
• When grease shatters are provided they shall drain to a collecting receptacle fabricated , designed and installed to be readily accessible for cleaning.
• Exhaust hood ducting shall meet the following requirements:
  • All seams in the duct shall be completely tight to prevent the accumulation of grease
  • The ducts shall have sufficient clean outs to make the ducts readily accessible for cleaning
  • All ducts in the exhaust system shall be properly sloped
  • Intake and exhaust air ducts shall be cleaned and filters changed so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt and other materials.

Potable water tanks and plumbing

(For mobile food facilities types 3, 4, and 5)

• Potable tanks and plumbing shall be constructed of food grade materials as approved by ANSI accredited testing organization for drinking water.
• Interiors shall be smooth free of recesses and crevices and capable of draining completely.
• Potable water tanks shall have sufficient volume:
  • at least 5 gallons for handwashing
  • an additional 15 gallons minimum for warewashing for MFFs with limited food preparation
  • an additional 25 gallons minimum for warewashing for any preparation beyond limited food preparation.
  • Water tank capacity requirements maybe met with one or more potable water tanks.
• Water pressure at a minimum of 1 gallon per minute.
• Potable water inlets are to be protected from contamination and designed to preclude attachment to a non-potable service connection e.g quick disconnect.
• Potable water inlets must be located at least 1 inch above the overflow.
• Overflow pipe openings must be protected from the entrance of dust, insects and other contamination.
• Potable water tanks may be removable but can be a maximum size of 10 gallons (80 lbs) to be considered suitably portable.
• Connections to the potable and waste tanks are to be a different type or size so as to eliminate contamination of potable water supply. Waste and potable hose connections are not interchangeable.
• If tanks are removable, they are to be labeled ‘potable’ or waste to eliminate confusion.
• A water tank, pump, or hoses used for conveying potable water shall not be used for any other purpose.

Wastewater tanks

(For mobile food facilities types 3, 4, and 5)

• All waste lines shall be connected to waste water tanks with water tight seals.
• Waste water tanks shall be of sufficient capacity to hold a minimum capacity that is 50% greater than potable water tanks. In no case shall waste water capacity be less than 7.5 gallons. Where potable water for the preparation of food or beverage is supplied, an additional wastewater tank capacity equal to at least 15% of the water supply shall be provided. Where ice is utilized in the storage, display or service of food or beverage, an additional minimum wastewater holding tank shall be provided with a capacity equal to 1/3 of the volume of the ice cabinet to accommodate the drainage of ice melt.
• Waste water tanks may be removable but can be no greater than 10 gallons (80 lbs) to be considered suitably portable.
• Waste water tanks shall have a discharge valve located to facilitate complete draining of the tank.
• If tanks are removable, they should be labeled ‘potable’or ‘waste’ to eliminate any confusion.
• Wastewater tank shall be equipped with shut-off valve.

Water heater

(For mobile food facilities types 3, 4, and 5)

• MFFs that utilize water for handwashing purposes shall provide a water heater with a minimum capacity of ½ gallon or an instantaneous heater capable of heating water to a minimum of 100oF interconnected with a potable water supply and shall operate independently of the vehicle engine.
• MFFs that utilize water for handwashing and warewashing shall provide a water heater with a minimum capacity of 4 gallons or an instantaneous heater capable of heating water to a minimum of 120 degrees F.

Lighting and power supply

• Light bulbs and tubes shall be covered and completely enclosed in plastic safety shields or the equivalent.
• Light fixtures shall be installed so as not to constitute a hazard to employees or food safety.
• Adequate electrical power shall be provided to power accessories or appliances.

Gas-fired appliances

• All liquefied petroleum equipment shall be installed to meet applicable fire authority standards and this installation shall be approved by the fire authority.
• A properly charged and maintained minimum 10 BC-rated fire extinguisher to combat grease fires shall be properly mounted and readily accessible on the interior of mobile food facility.
• All gas-fired appliances shall be properly insulated in a manner that will prevent excessive heat build-up and injury.
• Gas fired appliances shall meet applicable standards that are ANSI certified; certification shall be indicated by a decal on the appliance.

Food storage

• Food storage compartments are to be large enough to accommodate expected food volumes.
• Food storage compartments are to be protected against any kind of contamination.
• Food storage compartments cannot contain plumbing of any kind.
• Potentially hazardous foods shall be stored within mechanical refrigeration units except for frozen ready to eat foods, whole fish and whole aquatic invertebrates.

Pass-thru window service openings

• The service area may have a maximum of 2 pass thru windows.
• Shall be limited to 216 square inches each.
• Shall not be closer together than 18 inches.
• Shall be provided with solid or screened window, equipped with self-closing device. Screening shall be at least 16 mesh/sq inch.
• The counter surface of service openings shall be smooth and easily cleanable.

Safety

• First aid kit shall be provided and located in a convenient area in an enclosed case.
• MFFs that operate at more than one location in a calendar day shall be equipped to meet all of the following requirements:
  • All utensils in an MFF shall be stored so as to prevent being thrown about in the event of a sudden stop, collision or overturn. Knife holders shall be designed to be easily cleanable.
  • Coffee urns, deep fat fryer, steam tables and similar equipment shall be equipped with positive closing lids that are fitted with a secure latch mechanism that will prevent excessive spillage of hot liquids into the interior of MFF in the event of sudden stop, collision or overturn. As an alternative to this requirement, a coffee urn maybe installed in a compartment that will prevent excessive spillage of coffee in the interior of the unit.
  • Metal protective devices shall be installed on the glass liquid level sight gauges on all coffee urns.
• A second means of exit shall be provided in the side opposite the main exit door or in the roof or the rear of the unit with an unobstructed passage of at least 24 inches by 36 inches. The interior latching mechanism shall be openable by hand without special tools or key. The exit shall be labeled in contrasting colors with letters of at least 1 inch high.
• All pressure cylinders shall be securely fastened to a rigid structure.