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The above figures apply to the whole of the Board's area but it should be pointed out
that the general characteristics of the water are similar throughout the area so that the findings
are applicable to individual Boroughs.
The regular system of examination for lead in water in domestic premises will continue
during 1968.
Smoke Control
Hammersmith - The Smoke Control Programme in retrospect
The original smoke control policy was based mainly on the replacement of coal-burning
fires by specially-designed open fires burning gas coke; gas, electricity and oil being considered
alternative forms of smokeless heating.
Since those early days certain factors have arisen which have radically changed the
emphasis, and these are:
(i) The rapid technological changes in the gas industry with the replacement of coal
by oil as the main source of town gas;
(ii) the discovery of natural gas in the North Sea;
(iii) the improved techniques for carbonising coal to produce reactive smokeless fuels
suitable for open fires and for room heaters;
(iv) the desire of the public for clean and convenient forms of space heating with the
minimum of labour by the consumer;
(v) the evolutions in design of all heating appliances making them more efficient, attractive,
functional; and yet become integrated parts of the furniture and fittings of their
rooms. The net result has been a gradual replacement of the stool-bottom grate and
kitchen range by gas room heaters, open fires, openable stoves, electric fires and
oil heaters.
During the past three years direct-acting electric space heaters have not been eligible
for grant expenditure owing to the inadequate electrical supply, but this state of affairs should
not continue much longer as it shows signs of improving. The use of off-peak electricity-consuming
appliances such as thermal storage heaters was encouraged however, but they do not appear
to have captured the imagination of the public to any large extent. Gas room heaters have proved
to be the most popular form of space heating because of their convenience in use, labour saving,
and extremely attractive finishes and designs.
Coke-burning open fires provide excellent means of assisting natural ventilation for rooms,
but their heating is low; much of their heat is carried up the flue by the excess air necessary
to achieve complete combustion. Throat restrictors are very helpful in cutting down this excessive
air intake. Where a coke-burning closeable stove is installed, it is of great importance to ensure
that the fitting is correct and that the pull on the flue is adequate; otherwise there is a danger
of carbon monoxide gas creeping back into the room in periods of incomplete combustion e.g.
over-night banking, or letting the fire die down with the dampers almost closed to conserve the
room heat. Good, natural ventilation of a room in which a closeable stove is fixed is therefore
essential to avoid danger of a serious or even fatal accident. Our experience has shown that,
where coke-fired boilers are installed in older properties, the condition of the flues must be
thoroughly examined to ensure that the flue-ways are structurally sound and free from any obstructions
in order to give adequate draught.
Pilot surveys have recently been carried out in the earlier Smoke Control areas. They
reveal that many householders have subsequently changed over, at their own expense, from the
coke burning open grates provided under grant expenditure, to gas, electric or oil fires.
The main reasons advanced for this action have been:
(i) The rise in price of solid smokeless fuel;
(ii) the lack of reactivity of gas coke;
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