California Code of Regulations › Title 17 - Public Health › Division 1 - State Department of Health Services › Chapter 5 - Sanitation (Environmental) › Subchapter 2 - Foods and Drugs › Group 1 - RULES AND REGULATIONS › Article 8 - CANNERY INSPECTION REGULATIONS › RETORTS, FOR FOODS IN GLASS › Section 12785 - Installation of Equipment

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) The gauge
						  water glass or series of petcocks shall be installed in such a position as to
						  determine the water level during the process. If a gauge water glass is used, a mark
						  indicating the height of the top row of jars shall be placed on the gauge water
						  glass. If a series of petcocks is used, the petcock above the level of the top row
						  of jars must be open at all times during the process and the free flow of water
						  shall be visible to the retort operator.
(b) Steam and air shall be admitted at the bottom
						  of the retort. Water may be admitted at the top, or bottom, or both.
NOTE: It is recommended that all pipe connections be
							 equipped with check valves where there is a common entrance for steam, water, and
							 air.
(c) Steam and air shall be
						  admitted into the bottom center of the retort through a perforated pipe or cross
						  extending the length of the horizontal retort or throughout the width of a vertical
						  retort, and in which the perforations are so arranged as to produce equal turbulence
						  and distribution throughout the length of the pipe or cross. The extreme ends of the
						  perforated steam distributor pipe or cross shall be closed; other methods of
						  producing turbulence and proper distribution of heat are subject to
						  approval.
(d) Each diaphragm control
						  valve shall be equipped with a bypass to allow for hand control in case of an
						  emergency.
(e) In horizontal retorts a
						  suction manifold shall be installed in the bottom of the retort to remove the water
						  for circulation. The number of water inlets to the suction manifold shall be
						  dependent upon the length of the retort with a minimum of one for each eight linear
						  feet of retort length.
The inlets shall be spaced at approximately equal
							 intervals. The combined area of the inlets shall equal the area of the manifold. The
							 manifold shall be connected to a recirculating pump operating at a sufficient rate
							 to completely recirculate the water in not more than seven minutes. The water shall
							 re-enter the top of the retort through the perforated water spreader.
Any other type of manifold or suction installation will be
							 subject to the approval of the Department.
NOTE: It is recommended that the switch operating the pump
							 be equipped with a signal light, preferably red, or other warning device, so that
							 the operator can see at all times that the pump is properly
							 functioning.
(f) In horizontal
						  retorts the mercury thermometer bulb, recording thermometer bulb and temperature
						  controller bulb shall be located within the shell of the retort, and in such a
						  position that they are beneath the surface of the water throughout the
						  process.
(g) In vertical retorts the
						  recording thermometer bulb and temperature controller bulb shall be installed at the
						  bottom of the retort beneath and away from the steam inlet.
(h) In vertical retorts the mercury thermometer
						  shall be so installed as to permit continuous circulation of the heating medium past
						  the bulb during the process.
NOTE: This may be accomplished by inserting the
							 thermometer in a gradually sloped shallow and closed extension of the
							 retort.
(i) The bottom of the
						  overflow outlet shall be above the level of the top of the jars in the
						  retort.
(j) All recording thermometers,
						  mercury thermometers, pressure gauges and gauge water glasses must be so placed in
						  respect to light that they are easily readable.
1.
							 Editorial correction of subsection (e) and new NOTE filed 8-1-84 (Register 84, No.
							 31).
Note: Authority cited: Sections
								208 and
								28440,
								Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section
								28411,
								Health and Safety Code.