"Refrigerated locker" or "locker" means any place, premises or establishment where facilities for the cold storage and preservation of human food in separate and individual compartments are offered to the public upon a rental or other basis providing compensation to the person offering such service. (Chapter 19.32 RCW Food Lockers)
The Department of Licensing issues the "Refrigerated Locker" license after approval by the Department of Agriculture.
Master Application: You must complete a Master Application and pay the appropriate fees to obtain the required registrations and licenses. The Master License Service, Department of Licensing, assigns a "Unified Business Identifier (UBI) to the owner of the business. There is a $15 application fee and must be paid each time a Master Application is submitted.
Application is made through the "Master License System, Department of Licensing" by requesting an Agriculture Addendum (BLS-700-307) and completing section B.
A master application can be requested by contacting:
Master License Service
Department of Licensing
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 988507-9034
(360) 664-1400
The Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Division will conduct a licensing inspection to determine if the facility is in compliance with chapter 19.32 RCW Food Lockers and Title 21 CFR, part 110, Good Manufacturing Practice.
Every operator of a refrigerated locker plant shall provide a complete refrigeration system with adequate capacity and accurate and reliable controls for the maintenance of the following uniform temperatures of the various refrigerated rooms if provided, under extreme conditions of outside temperatures and under peak load conditions in the normal operation of the plant. The temperatures of the following rooms shall not exceed:
Chill room, temperatures within two degrees (Fahrenheit) plus or minus of thirty-five degrees (Fahrenheit) with a tolerance of ten degrees (Fahrenheit) after fresh food is put in for chilling.
Sharp freeze room, sharp freeze compartments, temperatures of minus ten degrees (Fahrenheit) or lower, or temperatures of zero degrees (Fahrenheit) or lower when forced air circulation is employed, with a tolerance of ten degrees (Fahrenheit) for either type of installation after fresh food is put in for freezing.
Locker room temperature of zero degrees (Fahrenheit) with a tolerance of twelve degrees (Fahrenheit) plus.
It shall be unlawful for the management of any refrigerated food locker in the state of Washington to operate such establishment for public use unless there has been installed in each separate room used for food storage a recording thermometer of the following specifications:
The recording thermometer shall be enclosed in a moisture-proof case, permanently fastened to a substantial wall in the vestibule or waiting room, five feet from the floor so that the recording chart is visible at all times. The instrument must be kept locked at all times, except for changing the dial, inking and repairing.
The sensitive bulb shall be located in the locker room not less than eight feet from any door or blower, not less than fifteen inches from any wall, and at least ten inches from the ceiling. The bulb shall not be directly in front of any blower or door. The tubing shall be if such length to reach from the bulb to the recording thermometer outside of the locker room.
The chart shall make one complete revolution in seven days. It shall be graduated hourly and daily and must not be less than eight inches in diameter. The chart-rotating device shall be fitted with perforating pinds to prevent rotation except by means of the electric clock in the case.
Charts shall be changed regularly once each week, properly dated and signed by the operator, an made available for inspection by the department of agriculture for at least one year.
The Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Division, shall periodically inspect each establishment licensed under chapter 19.32 RCW to determine whether or not the premises are constructed, equipped and operated in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and all other laws of this state applicable to the operation of a refrigerated locker.
