611-00

3-A® Accepted Practices for Farm Milk Cooling and

Storage Systems, Number 611-00
Formulated by
International Association of Food Industry Suppliers (IAFIS)
International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)
United States Public Health Service (USPHS)
The Dairy Industry Committee (DIC)
The Farm Industry Committee (FIC)

It is the purpose of the IAFIS, IAFP, USPHS, DIC, and FIC in connection with the development of the 3-A Sanitary Standards
Program to allow and encourage full freedom for inventive genius or new developments. Farm milk cooling and storage system
specifications heretofore or hereafter developed which so differ in design, materials, and fabrication or otherwise as not to
conform to the following standards but which, in the fabricator's opinion, are equivalent or better, may be submitted for the
joint consideration of the IAFIS, IAFP, USPHS, DIC and FIC at any time. NOTE: Use current revisions or editions of all
referenced documents cited herein. Standard English is the official language of 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted
Practices.

A SCOPE equipment or systems specifically designed for

this purpose.
A1 These 3-A Accepted Practices shall pertain to
equipment used for farm milk cooling and B3.2 Manual (COP) Cleaning: Shall mean soil
storage systems. These systems shall begin at the removal when the equipment is partially or
inlet of the heat exchanger and end with the milk totally disassembled. Soil removal is effected
storage vessel from which the raw milk is with chemical solutions and water rinses with the
removed from the dairy farm. assistance of one or a combination of brushes,
nonmetallic scouring pads and scrapers, high or
A2 In order to conform with these 3-A Accepted low pressure hoses and tank(s) which may be
Practices, farm milk cooling and storage systems fitted with recirculating pump(s), and with all
shall comply with the following design, material, cleaning aids manipulated by hand.
fabrication, cooling and installation criteria.
B4 Safe Water: Shall mean water from a supply
B DEFINITIONS properly located, protected and operated and
shall be of a safe, sanitary quality. The water
B1 Product: Shall mean milk. shall meet the standards prescribed in the
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation of
B2 Surfaces the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as
1
referenced in The Code of Federal Regulations
B2.1 Product Contact Surfaces: Shall mean all (CFR), Title 40, Parts 141, 142 and 143.
surfaces which are exposed to the product and (Information also available from the
surfaces from which liquids may drain, drop, or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
be drawn into the product. Drinking Water Hot Line - 800-426-4791.)

B2.2 Nonproduct Contact Surfaces: Shall mean all B5 Milk Transfer Line: A pipe which performs the
other exposed surfaces. single function of transporting milk.

B3 Cleaning B6 Precooling: Shall be the partial cooling of milk

in a plate or tubular heat exchanger before the
B3.1 Mechanical Cleaning or Mechanically Cleaned:
Shall mean soil removal by impingement,
1
circulation or flowing chemical detergent For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
solutions and water rinses onto and over the Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (202) 512-
surfaces to be cleaned by mechanical means in 1800.

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 611-00

milk enters the cooling tank. Surfaces in Dairy Equipment, Number 18-.

B7 Instant Cooling: Shall be the cooling of milk to C2.3 Plastic materials may be used for drip shields, O-
storage temperature in a plate or tubular heat rings, seals, gaskets and parts having the same
exchanger before the milk enters the storage or functional purpose or for protective caps for
cooling tank. sanitary tubing, fittings or vents. (Also see C1
herein.)
B8 Coolant (Cooling Media): Shall be the
recirculated cold water which is used in coolers C2.4 Plastic materials when used for the above
and heat exchangers, and shall include those specified applications shall comply with the
systems in which a nontoxic freezing-point applicable provisions of the 3-A Sanitary
depressant is used, is from a safe source and is Standards for Multiple-Use Plastic Materials
protected from contamination. Used as Product Contact Surfaces for Dairy
Equipment, Number 20-.
B9 Simple Hand Tools: Shall mean implements
normally used by operating and cleaning C2.5 Rubber and rubber-like materials and plastic
personnel such as a screwdriver, wrench or materials having product contact surfaces shall
hammer. be of such composition as to retain their surface
and conformational characteristics when exposed
C MATERIALS to the conditions encountered in the environment
of intended use and in cleaning and bactericidal
C1 The materials of product contact surfaces of treatment.
equipment included in the farm milk cooling and
storage systems for which there are 3-A Sanitary C2.6 The final bond and residual adhesive, if used, on
Standards or 3-A Accepted Practices shall bonded rubber and rubber-like materials and
comply with the material criteria of the 4
bonded plastic materials shall be nontoxic .
applicable standards or accepted practices.
C2.7 Bonded rubber and rubber-like materials and
C2 Product contact surfaces shall be of stainless steel bonded plastic materials having product contact
of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) surfaces shall be of such composition as to retain
2
300 Series or corresponding Alloy Cast their surface and conformation characteristics
3 when exposed to the conditions encountered in
Institute (ACI) types (See Appendix, Section
G.), or metal which under conditions of intended the environment of intended use and in cleaning
use is at least as corrosion resistant as stainless and bactericidal treatment .
steel of the foregoing types, and is nontoxic and
nonabsorbent, except that: C3 All nonproduct contact surfaces shall be of
corrosion-resistant material or material that is
C2.1 Rubber and rubber-like materials may be used for rendered corrosion resistant. If coated, the
sealing applications, O-rings, drip deflectors and coating used shall adhere. All nonproduct
parts having the same functional purposes. (Also contact surfaces shall be relatively nonabsorbent,
see C1 herein.) durable, and cleanable. Parts removable for
cleaning having both product contact and
C2.2 Rubber and rubber-like materials when used for nonproduct contact surfaces shall not be painted.
the above specified application(s) shall comply
with the applicable provisions of the 3-A
Sanitary Standards for Multiple-Use Rubber and
Rubber-Like Materials Used as Product Contact

2
The data for this series are contained in the AISI Steel
Products Manual, Stainless & Heat Resisting Steels, November 1990,
Table 2-1, pp. 17-20. Available from the American Iron and Steel
Society, 186 Thorn Hill Road, Warrendale, PA 15086 (724) 776-1535. 4
Adhesives shall comply with 21 CFR 175 - Indirect Food
3 Additives: Adhesives and Components of Coatings. Document for
Steel Founders Society of America, Cast Metal Federation sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Building, 455 State Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016 (708) 299-9160. Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (202) 512-1800.

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 611-00

D FABRICATION in. (6.35 mm) O-rings shall not be less than 3/32
in. (2.38 mm) .
D1 The fabrication criteria of equipment included in
the farm milk cooling and storage system for D4.1.3 The minimum radii in grooves for standard 1/8
which there are 3-A Sanitary Standards or 3-A in. (3.18 mm) O-rings shall be not less than 1/32
Accepted Practices shall be those of the in. (0.794 mm).
applicable standards or accepted practices. Other
equipment shall conform to the following D4.1.4 Radii smaller than 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) may be used
fabrication criteria. when they are required for essential functional
reasons, such as O-ring grooves. In no case
D2 Surface Texture shall such radii be less than 1/32 in. (0.794 mm).

D2.1 All product contact surfaces shall have a finish at D5 All tubing shall conform with the applicable
least as smooth as a No. 4 ground finish on provisions for welded sanitary product pipelines
stainless steel sheets and be free of imperfections found in the 3-A Accepted Practices for
such as pits, folds and crevices in the final Permanently Installed Product and Solution
fabricated form. (See Appendix, Section H.) Pipelines and Cleaning Systems Used in Milk
The measuring rod of an immersion type and Milk Product Processing Plants, Number
measuring device may have a dull finish to 605- and with the 3-A Sanitary Standards for
facilitate reading. Polished Metal Tubing for Dairy Products,
Number 33-.
D3 Gaskets
D6 All sanitary fittings and connections shall
D3.1 Gaskets having a product contact surface shall be conform with the applicable provisions of the 3-
removable or bonded. A Sanitary Standards for Sanitary Fittings for
Milk and Milk Products, Number 63-. (Also see
D3.2 Bonded rubber and rubber-like materials and D1.)
bonded plastic materials having product contact
surface shall be bonded in a manner that the bond D7 All sensor connections having product contact
is continuous and mechanically sound so that surfaces shall conform to the 3-A Sanitary
when exposed to the conditions encountered in Standards for Sensor and Sensor Fittings and
the environment of intended use and in cleaning Connections Used on Milk and Milk Products
and bactericidal treatment, the rubber and rubber- Equipment, Number 74-. (Also see D1 herein.)
like material or the plastic material does not
separate from the base material to which it is D8 Pressurized air, if used, shall be produced in
bonded. accordance with applicable provisions of the 3-A
Accepted Practices for Supplying Air Under
D3.3 Grooves in gaskets shall be no deeper than their Pressure in Contact with Milk, Milk Products,
width. and Product Contact Surfaces, Number 604-.

D3.4 Gasket grooves or gasket retaining grooves in D9 All permanent joints in metallic product contact
product contact surfaces for removable gaskets surfaces shall be continuously welded.
shall not exceed 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) in depth or be
less than 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) wide except those for D10 Farm milk cooling and storage systems that are to
standard O-rings smaller than 1/4 in. (6.35 mm), be mechanically cleaned shall be designed so that
and those provided for in Sections D5 and D6. the product contact surfaces of the milk system
and all nonremovable appurtenances thereto can
D4 Radii be mechanically cleaned and are accessible for
inspection.
D4.1 All internal angles of 135° or less on product
contact surfaces, shall have radii of not less than D11 Product contact surfaces not designed to be
1/4 in. (6.35 mm) except: mechanically cleaned shall be easily accessible
for cleaning, and inspection either when in an
D4.1.1 Those provided for in Section D6 and D7. assembled position or when removed.
Demountable parts shall be readily removable
D4.1.2 The minimum radii in grooves for standard 1/4 using simple hand tools.

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 611-00

capacity of the tank is less than 1500 gal (5678

D12 Appurtenances having product contact surfaces L) or (2) 100% of its capacity with product and
shall be mechanically cleanable, either when in the agitator has been in operation for 10 min if
an assembled position or shall be manually the capacity of the tank is 1500 gal (5678 L) or
cleanable when disassembled. All product larger.
contact surfaces shall be so designed as to
facilitate inspection. Demountable parts shall be E2.2 A measuring device of the immersion type or of
readily removable using simple hand tools. the direct reading gauge type, if provided, shall
comply with E.2.1.1 or E2.2.2.
D13 Bonded rubber and rubber-like materials and
bonded plastic materials having product contact E2.2.1 Immersion Type: An immersion measuring
surfaces shall be bonded in a manner that the device shall comply with the applicable
bond is continuous and mechanically sound so provisions of the National Institute of Standards
that when exposed to the conditions encountered and Technology Handbook 44, section 4.42 Farm
in the environment of intended use and in Milk Tanks, S Specifications S.3.7. Graduations.
cleaning and bactericidal treatment the rubber The measuring rod shall have graduation marks
and rubber-like material or the plastic material not less than 0.005 in. (0.10 mm) in width and
does not separate from the base material to which not exceeding 0.008 in. (0.20 mm) in depth. The
it is bonded. measuring rod consists of a graduated portion, a
seat to engage the measuring rod supporting
D14 All product contact surfaces shall be self-draining bracket or other supporting means and a handle.
or be drainable except for normal clingage. It does not include the supporting bracket or
other means of support. The measuring rod may
D15 Nonproduct contact surfaces shall have a smooth be two or more parts welded together or may be
finish, be free of pockets and crevices, and be one piece. The handle shall extend above the
readily cleanable. Surfaces to be coated shall be bridge or main cover on open type tanks, or shall
effectively prepared for coating to assure be above the milk overflow level in closed type
adhesion. tanks. The tank serial number stamped or etched
on the rod shall be located as high on the rod as
E SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS practical. The opening through which the
measuring rod extends shall be protected against
E1 Storage tanks may be used as a component of liquids or other contaminants entering the tank
farm milk cooling and storage systems. Storage from that portion of the measuring rod outside
tanks, if used, shall conform to 3-A Sanitary the tank.
Standards for Storage Tanks for Milk and Milk
Products, Number 01- or 3-A Sanitary Standards E2.2.2 Direct Reading Gauge: Any farm cooling and
for Farm Milk Storage Tanks, Number 30-. storage tank with a capacity of greater than 2000
gal (7570 L) shall be equipped with an external
E2 Storage tanks as outlined in E1, if used, shall gauge assembly. The direct reading gauge shall
comply with the following: be of the glass or plastic tube type and shall be
sanitary in design and construction and shall be
E2.1 If storage tanks are used, means for mechanical readily accessible for cleaning or shall be
and/or air agitation shall be provided that will designed for mechanical cleaning. The gauge
result in a variation in milk fat content of the shall comply with the applicable provisions of
product in the tank of not more than plus or the code entitled National Institute of Standards
minus 0.1% as determined by the Official AOAC and Technology Handbook 44, Section 4.42
5 Farm Milk Tanks, S Specification, S.3.6,
Milk Fat Test , when the tank is filled to (1)
100% of its capacity with product and the External Gauge Assemblies. If designed for
agitator has been in operation for 5 min if the mechanical cleaning, the inside diameter of the
gauge parts shall be sufficiently uniform that all
product contact surfaces will be cleaned. It shall
5 be designed and constructed so that all product in
The method of making these tests will be found in the
following reference: Official Methods of Analysis: Available from the
the gauge will be discarded. Means to
AOAC International,481 N. Frederick Rd., Suite 500, Gaithersburg, accomplish this shall be provided at the lowest
MD 20877-2417. Ph: 301-924-7077; Fax: 301-924-7080; E-mail: point and in such a manner that product in the
[email protected]. gauge will not enter the tank outlet nor re-enter

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 611-00

the tank. The valve shall be close coupled. The F2 Control

distance, measured along the passage for the
product in the tank to the gauge valve, from the F2.1 The system shall be provided with an automatic
nearest point on the shell to the ferrule or flange refrigeration control capable of functioning on a
for the valve shall not be more than the smaller change in product temperature of not more than
of (1) twice the nominal diameter of the passage plus or minus 2°F at 37°F (1.1°C at 2.8°C).
or (2) 5 in. (127 mm).
F2.1.1 The tank shall be provided with automatic,
E3 Farm milk cooling and holding tanks may be used intermittent, timed agitation which operates a
as a component of a farm milk cooling and minimum of 5 min each hour when milk is in the
storage system. Farm tanks, if used, shall tank.
conform with the 3-A Sanitary Standards for
Farm Milk Cooling and Holding Tanks, Number F3 Cooling Information
13-.
Storage tanks complying with E3 shall have an
E4 Plate-type heat exchangers may be used a s a information or data plate permanently attached in
component of farm milk cooling and storage such a way as to be effectively sealed and giving
systems. If used, they shall conform to the 3-A the following information:
Sanitary Standards for Plate-Type Heat
Exchangers for Milk and Milk Products, Number F3.1 This tank is designed for (everyday or every-
11-. other day) pick-up. Maximum rate at which milk
can enter this tank and meet the cooling
E5 Tubular heat exchangers may be used as a requirements of the 3-A Sanitary Standards for
component of farm milk cooling and storage Farm Milk Cooling and Holding Tanks, Number
systems. If used, they shall conform to 3-A 13-, is _____ U.S. Gal per hour (_____ L per
Sanitary Standards for Tubular Heat Exchangers hour). When milk enters the tank at the
for Milk and Milk Products, Number 12-. maximum rate, the minimum condensing unit
capacity is a _____ BTU /hr at a _____°F (a
F REFRIGERATION CRITERIA _____ kJoules/hr at a _____°C) suction
temperature.
F1 The milk cooling system shall be provided and
may be comprised of a precooling device such as a
The BTU (kJoules) capacity specified is to be at
a plate-type heat exchanger or tubular heat the saturated suction temperature designed by the
exchanger and a tank of either storage type or manufacturer. NOTE: The information on the
cooling type. The system shall have sufficient data plate shall be rated as if the tank is the only
cooling capacity to accomplish the following: source of cooling.

F1.1 The milk shall be cooled to 50°F (10°C) within F3.2 In determining cooling capacity, the ambient
the first hour after milking and 40°F (4.4°C) temperature shall be 90°F (32°C) and when water
within the second hour after milking, provided cooled condensers are used, the refrigerant
the blend temperature after the first milking does condensing temperature shall be not less than
not exceed 50°F (10°C). 103°F (39°C).

F1.1.1 For every day pickup, the cooling system shall be F3.3 Re-Rating the Precooling System: When the tank
rated to cool at least 50% of maximum tank is part of a farm milk cooling and storage system,
capacity. the maximum rate at which milk may enter the
tank may be increased by the amount given in the
F1.1.2 For every other day pickup, the cooling system following table. NOTE: For every 6°F (3.3°C)
shall be rated to cool at least 25% of maximum that milk drops below 98°F (37°C) before it
tank capacity. enters the tank, the maximum rate milk may enter
the tank may be increased by 10% or the
minimum condensing unit capacity may be
decreased by 10%.

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 611-00

F3.3.1 TABLE - Rerate Factors for Data Plates Surface Texture, is considered to be equivalent to
a No. 4 finish.
Milk Enter FlowrateCondenser
FactorA FactorB I DIAGRAMS

98°F 1.00 1.00 I1 The following drawings are intended to

90°F 1.13 0.87 demonstrate general principles only, and are not
80°F 1.30 0.70 intended to limit individual ingenuity. The
design used should conform with the sanitary
70°F 1.47 0.53
requirements set forth in these 3-A Accepted
60°F 1.63 0.37
Practices. The following examples are included
50°F 1.80 0.20
in the Appendix.
40°F 1.97 0.03

A
Multiply data plate flowrate by flowrate factor. DRAWING FIGURE 3-A PAGE
B NAME _ DRAWING _
Multiply data plate condensing unit capacity
_
by condenser factor.
Farm Cooling 1 3-A 7
APPENDIX Tank System 611-00-01

G STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Farm Cooling 2 3-A 8

Tank with 611-00-02
Stainless steel conforming to the applicable Precooling
composition ranges established by AISI for
wrought products, or by ACI for cast products, Instant Cooling 3 3-A 9
System with 611-00-03
should be considered in compliance with the
Storage Tank
requirements of Section C2 herein. Where
welding is involved, the carbon content of the Instant Cooling 4 3-A 10
stainless steel should not exceed 0.08 %. The System with 611-00-04
first reference cited in C2 sets forth the chemical Cooling Tank
ranges and limits of acceptable stainless steel of
the 300 Series. Cast grades of stainless steel ___________________________________________
corresponding to types 303, 304, and 316 are These 3-A Accepted Practices shall become effective
designated CF-16F, CF-8, and CF-8M, November 20, 1994.
respectively. The chemical compositions of
these cast grades are covered by ASTM
6
specifications A351/A351M, A743/A743M and
A744/A744M.

H PRODUCT CONTACT SURFACE FINISH

Surface finish equivalent to 150 grit or better as

obtained with silicon carbide, properly applied
on stainless steel sheets, is considered in
compliance with the requirements of Section D2
herein. A maximum Ra of 32 µin. (0.80 µm),
when measured according to the
7
recommendations in ANSI/ASME B46.1 -

6
Available from ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive,
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. Phone: (610) 832-9500.

7
Available from the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, 345 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017-2392
(212) 705-7722.

6
3-A Drawing
Farm Milk Cooling and Storage Systems

3-A 611-00-01

Figure 1

TYPICAL SYSTEM WITH DIRECT EXPANSION TANK

(ALL COOLING DONE IN TANK)
(NOT COVERED BY THIS PRACTICE - INFORMATION ONLY)

7
3-A Drawing
Farm Milk Cooling and Storage Systems

3-A 611-00-02

Figure 2

PRECOOLING SYSTEM WITH COOLING TANK

(PARTIAL COOLING BY TANK)

8
3-A Drawing
Farm Milk Cooling and Storage Systems

3-A 611-00-03

Figure 3

INSTANT COOLING SYSTEM WITH MILK STORAGE TANK

(ALL COOLING OUTSIDE TANK)

9
3-A Drawing
Farm Milk Cooling and Storage Systems

3-A 611-00-04

Figure 4

INSTANT COOLING SYSTEM WITH COOLING TANK

(MOST OF COOLING DONE OUTSIDE TANK)

10