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13
COMBINED DISINFECTING STATION AND MEDICINAL BATHS
During the year the Council considered a proposal to combine
the disinfecting service with the personal cleansing service in a new
building.
The disinfecting station at Wood Lane was built and equipped
in 1906 and the original equipment then installed is still in use today.
Additions were made in 1934, when a hydrogen cyanide gas unit was added
for dealing with bug infested furniture, and in 1940, when an additional
disinfector was installed.
In 1940 the station was severely damaged by enemy action,
when practically the whole of one side of the building was destroyed.
The other side also received severe damage, so much so that if it is
to remain on its existing site, there is no doubt that the greater part
of the building will have to be demolished to its foundation and re—
built. In view of this, only "first aid" and temporary repairs, with a
minimum of decoration, have been undertaken during the past twenty years.
Disinfection and disinfestation of infected and infested
articles are best performed in a single building as part of a wider
service which includes the cleansing of persons and the treatment of
scabies. In many London boroughs this is the case, for such an arrange—
ment enables both services to be carried out with economy and allows for
an interchangeability of duties amongst the staff.
The Borough Engineer prepared a scheme to combine the dis—
infecting station and the medicinal baths on a site adjoining the public
baths in Lancaster Road.
The scheme is for a single-storey building with vehicular
access from Blechynden Mews and pedestrian access, both for the staff
and the public, on the Silchester Road frontage. Provision is being
made for one disinfector at Wood Lane, and for the disinfector in the
medicinal baths to be re-used. The drying tumbler recently bought for
Wood Lane will also be refixed. The rest of the laundry equipment
will be new and will consist of a steam-heated ironing machine, two
washing machines, one hydro-extractor and three hair driers.
The estimated cost is £34,368. This includes the acquisition
of premises, but does not include a credit for the converted value
payment for the war-damaged disinfecting station which is likely to be
about £6,390; nor does it take into account the substantial value of
the present site at Wood Lane depot occupied by the disinfecting and
disinfestation buildings. There would also be savings on staff and
services estimated at £1,400 per annum, as a result of combining the two
services.
The scheme has been approved by the Council and it is hoped
that the new building will be in use early in 1962.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, imposes a duty
on occupiers of premises to notify the Council of rodent infestation,
and the Council are required to ensure that the borough is, as far as
practicable, kept free from rats and mice. The Council deal with rat
and mice infestation in dwelling houses without cost to the occupiers,
but expenditure incurred in treating infestations on commercial and
industrial premises is recovered from the owners.
The Council are required to submit reports on (i) the extent
of infestation, (ii) special circumstances to which any undue presence
of rats and mice might be attributed, and (iii) the nature and extent
of co-operative working with contiguous local authorities.