View report page

29
The Act prohibits, subject to certain minor exceptions, the sale
or exposure for sale, or the letting or offer for letting under a hirepurchase
agreement or on hire, of any appliance required by Regulations
to be made under the Act to be fitted with a guard, if either the guard
is not fitted or it does not comply with the standard prescribed for it
by the Regulations.
The Regulations, known as the Heating Appliances (Fireguards)
Regulations, 1953, were made by the Secretary of State and came into
operation on the 1st October, 1953, except in regard to appliances
manufactured in Great Britain before that date. For the latter, the
operative date was 1st October, 1954. The Regulations prescribe
that every heating appliance of a type which is so designed that it is
suitable for use in a dwellin house or other residential premises shall
be fitted with a guard which shall be robustly made and securely
attached to the appliance, and shall satisfy certain tests which are set
cut in a Schedule to the Regulations. These tests comprise a loading
test of rigidity, the use of probes of specified shapes and dimensions
to check the mes of the guard, and the placing of flannelette on the
guard while the fire is alight, the requirement being that the flannelette
must not smoulder or ignite within a period of ten seconds.
It is estimated that there about 60 shops and other premises
in the Borough at wich heating appliances are sold or let on hire.
These are visited from time to time and tests of appliances made. A
careful watch is also maintained on such fittings exhibited for sale.
It has been found, however, that almost without exception appliances
on sale carry the seal certifying their compliance with the British
Standard Specification. Upon these there is, of course, the double
assurande of their being subject to inspection at the place of manufacture.
Use of Slipper Baths by Old Age Pensioners.
On the 30th January, 1952, the Council decided to make available
to old age pensioners free use of the slipper baths at their Baths
Establishment (with use of a towel) on production of their pension
books. This facilitv has now been extended to blind persons.

Public Swimming Baths.
The Council maintain four public swimming pools—three at
Latchmere Baths and one at Nine Elms Baths.
Samples of the water from these pools are taken weekly for
bacteriological examination. The results show that the water has
consistently maintaind a high degree of purity.