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COMBINED DISINFECTING STATION AND MEDICINAL BATHS
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
rebuilt. 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
arrangement 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
disinfecting 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 £36,368. 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 the 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 1963•
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.