Why Choose IP69K Hygienic Enclosures?

The Hygienic Design Challenge

Hygiene as a Regulatory Imperative

In food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and cleanroom manufacturing, enclosure failures can lead to contamination events that result in:

• Product recalls and brand damage.
• Regulatory non-compliance with HACCP, FDA 21 CFR Part 110/117, EHEDG, or EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
• Increased downtime for cleaning, repair, or equipment replacement.

Inherent Weak Points in Conventional Enclosures

Industrial enclosures designed without hygienic principles typically include:

• Horizontal ledges that retain standing water post-cleaning.
• Complex surface geometries with crevices that trap residues.
• Gasket materials that degrade under caustic, acidic, or chlorinated cleaning agents.
• Surface finishes exceeding Ra 0.8 µm, promoting biofilm formation.
• Ingress protection insufficient for high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns.

Design Philosophy: EHEDG-Compliant Engineering

IP Enclosures applies hygienic design methodology from the initial concept phase, ensuring that every component from base material selection to fastening systems, supports the primary objectives:

• Prevent Product Contamination
  • Fully welded, monoblock construction eliminates joints where contaminants could lodge.
  • 30° sloping roof geometry ensures self-drainage in accordance with EHEDG recommendations.
• Facilitate Cleaning Validation
  • Blue FDA compliant silicone seals provide visual contrast for inspection and verification.
• Withstand CIP/SIP Cleaning Regimes
  • Designed for exposure to high-pressure cleaning (80–100 bar), high-temperature water jets (80 °C), and aggressive detergents, acids, and alkalis.
• Maintain Mechanical Integrity Under Washdown
  • Locking systems maintain uniform gasket compression to prevent micro-ingress.
  • Stainless steel construction resists chloride-induced pitting corrosion.
• Support Hazardous Zone Compliance
  • Optional IECEx certification ensures suitability in ATEX Zones 1, 2, 21, 22 for explosive dust or gas environments.

Material Science & Surface Engineering

Stainless Steel Selection

• Standard: Grade 304L stainless steel for general food and pharma environments.
• Optional: Grade 316L stainless steel for chloride-rich areas such as seafood processing or brine environments.

Surface Finish

• Brushed finish ≤ Ra 0.2 µm, in compliance with EHEDG Doc. 8 and ASME BPE criteria for cleanability.
• Minimises bacterial adhesion and facilitates surface sterilisation.

Gasket Engineering

• Material: FDA-compliant, silicone.
• Chemical Resistance: Stable against NaOH (1–5 %), HNO₃ (1–2 %), hypochlorite, peracetic acid, and steam.
• Thermal Performance: Operational range -60 °C to +200 °C.

Validation Testing

Ingress Protection Testing

• IP66: Protection against dust ingress and strong water jets (IEC 60529).
• IP69K: Per ISO 20653, enclosure subjected to high-pressure spray at 80–100 bar, 80 °C, from four angles at 0.25 m distance.

Mechanical Impact Testing

• IK07 / IK08 per IEC 62262: Ensures resistance to accidental impacts in industrial environments.

Compliance & Certification

• DGUV EN1672-2: Hygienic equipment design.
• IEC/EN 62208: Empty enclosure construction requirements.
• IECEx: Hazardous area suitability (optional).
• RoHS, CE, UKCA: Environmental and safety compliance.

Lifecycle Value

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Reduction

• 20+ year design life in compliant environments.
• Lower maintenance and cleaning time through optimised hygienic geometry.
• Reduced risk of contamination-related downtime.

Regulatory Confidence

• Fully aligned with EHEDG, DGUV, ISO, EN, IEC standards.
• Food contact safety assured through FDA and EC1935-compliant seals.

Food & Beverage Processing

Application Environments:

• Dairy (pasteurisation, filling, packaging lines)
• Meat & poultry (cutting, deboning, packing)
• Bakery & confectionery (mixing, enrobing, cooling)
• Beverage (processing, bottling, canning)

Key Requirements:

• Frequent hot-water washdowns with alkaline detergents.
• Elimination of microbiological harbourage points.
• Resistance to sugar syrups, fats, and protein residues.

Solution: IP69K Hygienic enclosures with smooth, crevice-free design and self-draining roofs, ensuring rapid cleaning without compromising seal integrity.

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology

Application Environments:

• Solid dose (tablet presses, coating lines)
• Liquid fill (aseptic filling, vial capping)
• Laboratory environments (BSL-2 / BSL-3 facilities)

Key Requirements:

• Particle-free surface finish to prevent contamination.
• Chemical resistance to alcohols, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV).
• Compatibility with cleanroom classification up to ISO 5.

Solution: Monoblock construction with brushed Ra ≤ 0.2 µm stainless steel, FDA gaskets.