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Water Supply to Tenement Houses.—Under the powers conferred by
the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1907, Section 78, a water
supply on one of the upper floors has been fixed by the owners in 54 houses
during the year 1914, namely 41 houses in Stanley Ward, and 13 in Church
Ward. All these houses have 3 storeys or more above the ground level,
the majority being what are known as 2-storey houses. The water taps
have been for the most part fixed on a half landing of the stairs, and in the
majority of them a small drip sink has been supplied with a waste-pipe to
carry off waste and leakage. It was not found necessary in any instance
to enforce the notices served under the Act by legal proceedings.
Underground Sleeping Places.—During the year the following Regulations
have made by the Borough Council under Section 17 (7) of the
Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909. These Regulations have now
received the formal approval of the Local Government Board.
Regulations prescribed by the Council, of the Metropolitan
Borough of Chelsea under Section 17 (7) of the Housing,
Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909.
Underground Sleeping Places.
Every room habitually used as a sleeping place the surface of the
floor of which is more than three feet below the surface of the part of
the street adjoining or nearest to the room, shall comply with the
following Regulations, namely :—
1. The floor, walls, and ceiling of such room shall be dry and
present no evidence of dampness, whether such arises from the soil
under the room, the ground adjoining such room, or from any other
cause.
The room shall be effectually protected against the rising of any
effluvium or exhalation by means of a layer of asphalt, or of good
cement concrete at least six inches thick, or four inches if properly
grouted, laid upon the ground of the site of the entire room, or in some
equally effectual manner, wherever the condition of the site or of its
immediate surroundings renders such protection necessary.
2. The floor, walls, and ceiling of such room shall be structurally
in good repair.
3. Unless the room is provided with a fireplace and a flue properly
constructed and properly connected with such fireplace, it shall be
provided with special and adequate means of ventilation by one or
more suitably placed apertures or air shafts.
4. The average level of the top of the window of the room shall
not be below the surface of the part of the street or ground adjoining
or nearest to the room.
5. An area or open space properly paved with impervious material
and effectually drained by means of a trapped gulley connected to a
drain, shall adjoin one side of the room, and extend along the entire