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31
Smoke Abatement.
The smoke shafts in the Borough were frequently kept under observation and
in 260 cases the inspections were recorded. A number of the observations were
made in the early morning when smoke pollution is more prevalent. Frequently
the observations extended for periods of not less than one hour. No complaints
were received during the year of nuisances from the emission of smoke; as the
result of the inspections made four notices were served.
During the year a Conference convened by the Greater London Smoke Abatement
Committee was held at the Guildhall, and at the latter part of the year the
recommendations made by the Conference were considered by the Public Health
Committee. The recommendations covered the following points: —
Inspection of all chimneys other than those of private dwelling houses as
a matter of routine.
Action under the Smoke Abatement Act with regard to smoke emitted in such
quantity as to be a nuisance.
The emission of black smoke for two minutes in the aggregate within any
continuous period of 30 minutes to be regarded as a nuisance.
Adequate instruction for officials dealing with smoke nuisances.
The establishment of classes at technical and other educational institutions
for the training of stokers.
The Public Health Committee were able to report to the Council that for
some years past in Holborn effect had been given to all the recommendations made
by the Conference and attention was directed to the action taken by the Medical
Officer of Health to encourage the establishment of classes for stokers (see A.R..
1929, p. 31).
It is gratifying to know that the domestic smoke problem is now receiving
more attention and the control of domestic smoke appears to be reaching a more
practical stage. Greater interest is being taken in the production and supply of
smokeless fuel. In this connection it may be observed that gas coke is still largely
neglected as a domestic fuel yet a good dry gas coke gives an ideal fire where the
householder is sufficiently interested to learn how to use it. Unfortunately much
coke is supplied to the public in a wet condition; all coke burnt should be quite
dry. Vertical coke, i.e., gas coke prepared in modern vertical retorts yields
excellent fires in the all fire-brick grate; it only costs half as much as a coal fire. It
would seem possible that we are nearing the time when the burning of raw coal
in a domestic grate will be prohibited.
Personal observation by burning smokeless fuel in a slow combustion open
grate shows that given ordinarily careful addition of fuel to the fire in time to
prevent it going down a satisfactory fire is achieved with a warm dull red glow.
Smokeless fuel should be invaluable in those instances, both domestic and office
where for some reason down draught is difficult to prevent. We must all be
cognisant of some chimneys where in spite of the careful attention of competent
engineers their efforts do not result in removal of down draught, and in stormy
weather the room, supposed to be ventilated by the chimney, becomes full of
smoke with consequent defilement of valuable papers, some of which have to be
handled frequently.