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49
Noise caused by the combustion and inflow of air to the burners in two oil
furnaces in a building occupied by a Government Department was the subject of a
further complaint. The co-operation of the Department concerned was readily
forthcoming and in an effort to reduce the noise the burners were enclosed in
steel covers insulated with fibreglass and silencing tubes were constructed to
the secondary air inflow. Arrangements were made for the baffle walls which
surround the boilers to be extended up to roof level in sound-absorbing material.
The noise has, therefore, been reduced considerably.
Another series of complaints were received from tenants of one of the
Council's Housing Estates concerning noise from the dust and chip collecting plant
at a nearby furniture factory. Arrangements were made for the plant to be renewed
during the year and no further complaints have been received.
In view of the fact that complaints still continue to be received from noise
due to the use on domestic premises of power machines that are usually operated
during the evening or weekends, causing nuisance to other occupiers of such
premises as the result of noise and vibration, the Council referred the question
to the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee. The Committee was asked
to consider the matter with a view to promoting legislation to prohibit the
installation and use of power machines above a certain capacity in houses in
multiple occupation. The problem was given very careful study and the various
premises were visited to see the main type of power machines involved and several
leading manufacturers and distributors were consulted.
A detailed report, much of which is of a technical nature, was produced from
which the following facts are culled.
The main origin of the complaints of nuisance appears to be the use of
electrically driven sewing machines, normally installed singly in ordinary rooms
in domestic premises. The premises inspected were old terraced houses, still used
for residential purposes, and the machine operators in most cases were housewives
who undertake part-time sewing work for garment manufacturers in addition to normal
domestic duties.
There is no doubt that nuisance due to noise and vibration is caused by sewing
machines but it is difficult to assess how intense and widespread is the nuisance.
It is very difficult to devise a method of measurement which would give an accurate
and consistent basis for assessing noise nuisance.
It was concluded that there is little prospect of obtaining new legislation to
control the nuisance but in order that such nuisances can be reduced the following
recommendations were made:-
1. Ensure that all machines are well maintained and, in particular,
that all standard resilient mountings connecting motor and
machine are as recommended by the manufacturers, and excessive
wear on moving parts is avoided.
2. Site machines near an outside wall, and as far as possible from
other residential rooms, particularly bedrooms (the rooms above
and below the workroom will be the most affected).