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77
2,736 references were made to other Authorities and to voluntary organisa
tions in connection with the provision of "Home helps", National Assistance
"Meals-on Wheels" etc.
Enquiry into means of Spacc Heating used In homes of Elderly Persons
Arising out of consideration of Smoke Control Areas in the Borough and the
particular difficulties which might arise in connection with conversion and
storage of solid fuel in premises occupied by elderly persons (especially as a
high proportion in this Borough tend to live either in the basement or on the top
floor,) it was considered that it would be helpful to obtain further information
as to the present means employed for space heating.
The question of the use of solid fuels by old people was also linked with
desirable alternative forms of heating which would reduce the physical effort
required in lighting fires stoking clearing the grate and transporting fuel
At the same time the alternative heating to be supplied should in itself be a
more efficient source of warmth, and this is important from the health point of
view as elderly persons are more liable to contract respiratory disease, such
as bronchitis or pneumonia It was therefore decided to carry out a short-term
sample survey and this was done during a cold spell in the early part of the
year Observations were made by the Department's Old People's Health Officers
when carrying out routine visits. A record was made of space heating and fuel
storage arrangements in the homes visited together with temperatures in the
living room (taken with an ordinary domestic thermometer).
Recordings were made in 102 homes visited and the following circumstances
were found:
Coal Fire in use-90 homes.
Open 79
Kitchen range 11
Fire suitably protected 55
Not suitably protected 35
In 4 cases there were 13 - 20 steps from the room to the fuel store
and in 15 cases more than 20 steps
In 21 cases coal fires were supplemented with paraffin gas or
electrical appliances.
Paraffin heaters were found in 16 homes 11 were of the blue flame
floor type, 4 of the yellow flame floor type and one of the yellow
flame table type- this latter was not thought to be very safe. It
will be appreciated that all paraffin heaters need reasonable care
and maintenance for safe burning
Gas was used for space heating in 14 homes This included 3 gas fires
9 gas cookers with oven door usually open and 2 gas rings. The apparatus
was considered to be suitably protected in 10 homes but inadequately
protected in 4 The gas connection was by flex metal in 2 cases, rubber
tubing in 1, and the remaining connections were by fixed pipe.
3 electric heaters were found and all were suitably protected.