Preparing Your Facility for January Audits:

Winter Hygiene & Temperature Control Measures Every Site Should Review

January is one of the busiest audit periods for food processing sites, QSR chains, commercial kitchens, and cold storage operators. Many businesses face BRC, HACCP, or internal hygiene inspections at the beginning of the new year. December is the ideal time to review your site, close any compliance gaps, and ensure your environmental barriers are functioning optimally.

Winter conditions put extra pressure on temperature control and hygiene standards. Cold air movement, worn seals, and increased kitchen activity can all lead to issues that will be flagged during an inspection. A structured pre-audit check helps reduce the risk of non-conformances and unexpected downtime.

Why Winter Increases Audit Risk

Lower temperatures mean cold air can enter production and prep areas through damaged seals or unprotected doorways. This makes it harder to maintain hygienic conditions. Busy QSR and food processing sites also experience heavier usage of staff doors and cold rooms during the holiday period. This increases wear on strip curtains and barriers. If these weak points are not addressed before January, sites are more likely to fail key temperature integrity or hygiene checks.

Essential Checks to Prepare for January Audits

Use this simple winter checklist to ensure your facility is audit-ready.

#1 Inspect all PVC Strip Curtains

Look for cracks, brittleness, warping, or gaps in coverage. Damaged curtains reduce temperature control and allow airborne contaminants to travel between areas. Replace worn strips immediately, especially in chilled environments.

#2 Review Door Seals and Draught Protection

Inspect loading bays, staff entrances, and cold room doors. Any visible gap is a compliance risk. Installing new seals or adding draught excluders helps stabilise internal temperatures and reduces energy waste.

#3 Check for Pest Control Weak Points

Winter pests still enter through open or poorly sealed doors. Anti-insect PVC curtains and fly screens help maintain clean environments and support audit readiness.

#4 Reassess Temperature-Controlled Zones

Confirm that cold rooms, chillers, and food prep areas are maintaining stable temperatures. If readings fluctuate, review the condition of the barriers or consider upgrading to polar grade PVC.

#5 Evaluate Staff Flow and High-Traffic Areas

Frequent movements between zones increase the risk of cross-contamination and heat loss. Heavy-duty or ribbed PVC is ideal for these locations, providing long-lasting performance.

#6 Plan for Replacements Before the Audit Window

December is the best time to complete maintenance work. Proactive upgrades reduce the likelihood of non-conformances and help teams start the new year with consistent compliance across all sites.

Why Compliance-Ready Barriers Make a Difference

High-performance PVC strip curtains, door seals, and hygiene screens support audit success by maintaining clean, stable, and well-controlled environments. They help sites pass temperature integrity checks, prevent contamination, and demonstrate a clear commitment to best practice.

Conclusion

January audits do not need to create pressure or downtime. With the proper winter checks and reliable environmental barriers in place, your facility can maintain hygiene, protect temperature-critical areas, and meet the requirements of HACCP, BRC, and internal quality teams.

Ready to prepare your site for January audits and ensure full compliance?

👉 Contact our team for expert support on HACCP-compliant strip curtains and winter hygiene solutions.

📲 0333 999 7171

📩 sales@stripcurtainsdirect.co.uk