ARE DOOR FOAMERS OBSOLETE?
Door foamers are used in food manufacturing facilities to sanitize areas where wheeled and foot traffic enter and exit production zones. However, they are a potential hazard, as they can create slippery floors and contaminate areas that require dry environments. Door foamers were not designed as a footwear hygiene method ¹.
Door foamers can be operated manually or automatically. The manual application requires frequent area monitoring to ensure adequate coverage. Although the timer feature of door foamers can be advantageous, it can lead to product waste because the product flows even when there is no traffic. Consequently, the foam can dilute over time, posing even more significant risks than benefits ¹˒³.
Timed entryway door foamers require frequent preventative maintenance, still break down, and can be turned off by employees tired of the mess. When working, they can create slip hazards and spread mud from one set of shoes to another.
| Foamer | Security Floor® | |
| EPA registered |  |
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| Anti-slip | |
|
| Works wet or dry | |
|
| Wastes water | |
|
| Equipment can break | |
|
| Equipment can be turned off | |
|
| Requires a capital investment | |
|
| Requires preventative maintenance | |
Scientific studies have demonstrated that surfaces within food manufacturing facilities, particularly floor areas, can serve as breeding grounds for bacteria, thereby increasing the likelihood of cross-contamination ²˒⁴. Footwear can act as a vehicle for the transfer of these pathogens, and as such, it is essential to decontaminate it regularly.
High-traffic areas like door entryways require effective methods of sanitizing footwear. However, door foamers have several limitations, including inconsistent contact time and insufficient footwear sanitation ³. Additionally, environmental factors can affect their efficacy, and they can consume up to 11,000 gallons of water annually.
Alternative solutions, such as Security Floor® Treatment (SFT) or Security Floor® Sanitizer (SFS), are available. SFT/SFS can be applied wet or dry and is suited for high-traffic areas. SFT/SFS offers the advantage of sanitizing other vectors simultaneously, including pallet jacks, forklifts, and carts. Knowing when and how often to clean these areas is crucial for maintaining a healthy and clean work environment.
REFERENCES:
- Pitfalls of Door Foamers as Entryway Sanitizing System for Food Safety. https://www.meritech.com/blog/pitfalls-of-door-foamers-as-an-entryway-sanitizing-system-for-food-safety
- Controlling Cross Contamination: Optimal Use of Doorway Sanitizers | 2013, February | QA Quality Assurance & Food Safety. https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/qa0213-doorway-sanitizers-use/
- How to Replace Footbaths with A More Effective Solution | 2018-08-31 | Food Safety. https://www.food-safety.com/articles/454-how-to-replace-footbaths-with-a-more-effective-solution
- 5 Questions with Michele Colbert | 2018, October | QA Quality Assurance & Food Safety. https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/5-questions-with-michele-colbert-october-2018/
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