A. Except as specified in subsections B through E of this section, outer openings of a food establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by:
- 1. Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls and ceilings;
- 2. Closed, tight-fitting windows; and
- 3. Solid self-closing, tight-fitting doors.
- B. Subsection A of this section does not apply if a food establishment opens into a larger structure, such as a mall, airport, or office building, or into an attached structure, such as a porch, and the outer openings from the larger or attached structure are protected against the entry of insects and rodents.
C. Exterior doors used as exits need not be self-closing if they are:
- 1. Solid and tight-fitting;
- 2. Designated for use only when an emergency exists, by the fire protection authority that has jurisdiction over the food establishment; and
- 3. Limited-use so they are not used for entrance or exit from the building for purposes other than the designated emergency exit use.
D. Except as specified in subsections B and E of this section, if the windows or doors of a food establishment, or of a larger structure within which a food establishment is located, are kept open for ventilation or other purposes, or a temporary food establishment is not provided with windows and doors as specified in subsection A of this section, the openings shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by:
- 1. 16 mesh to one-inch (16 mesh to 25.4-mm) screens;
- 2. Properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects; or
- 3. Other effective means.
- E. Subsection D of this section does not apply if flying insects and other pests are absent due to the location of the establishment, the weather, or other limiting condition.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.