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In July, the Ministry made the Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) Order and
issued Circular 44 relating thereto. This Order exempts, subject to certain conditions, from
the provisions of Section 11 of the Clean Air Act, 1956, the following fireplaces:-
(i) Fireplaces other than a fireplace fired by pulverised fuel constructed on or
after 31st December, 1956, and equipped with a mechanical stoker or adapted
on or after that date for use with such stokers;
(ii) the fireplace known as the solid fuel Ductair unit, manufactured by Radiation
Ltd;
(iii) the fireplace known as the Fulgora Slow Combustion Stove manufactured by
Fulgora Stoves Ltd.
Local Authorities are asked in this Circular to consider the exemption of stoves and
furnaces used for burning wood waste, particularly where these are installed on premises used
by furniture manufacturers and other users of wood on a large scale.
Regular observation ensures that smoke nuisances are kept to a minimum and advice is given
by the Inspectors to stokers and managements on the spot regarding efficient stoking and the
necessity for adequate instrumentation. Nuisances found to occur when industrial waste is burnt
in unsuitable plant are usually dealt with in co-operation with the persons concerned and the
Inspectors thus secure the discontinuance of this practice.
Complaints are received of nuisances arising from the burning of refuse and bonfires on
vacant sites but action is rendered difficult because members of the public are reluctant to
give supporting evidence in Court.
A prosecution was taken against a Company under Section 16 of the Clean Air Act, 1956,
for emitting smoke other than dark smoke, so as to be a nuisance to the inhabitants of the
neighbourhood. The factory in question was situated quite close to a block of municipal flats.
This case is possibly the first taken in the Metropolitan Area and the Bench made a Prohibition
Order for three months and awarded 5 guineas costs. In addition to other work the Company
fitted a smoke alarm to their furnace.
One laundry where an oil-fired boiler was emitting heavy oily smuts was the subject of
repeated complaints. With a view to preventing this nuisance the management carried out metal
insulating cladding of the chimney stack As the work has been done only recently it is too
early to assess the results.
At one Government stores in the Borough complete instrumentation was secured following
the conversion of the boilers to oil-firing.
One factory in a proposed smoke control area has installed a chain grate stoker on a water
tube boiler previously hand-fired.
An application for prior approval was granted in relation to the installation of 5 boilers
at St. Mary's Wing of the Whittington Hospital. The necessary instrumentation will be provided,
including smoke density recorders, C02 recorders and a smoke alarm to each boiler The 5 boilers,
all of which will be oilfired, will be contained in one unit and steam will be conveyed to the
Archway and Highgate Wings, respectively, by means of steam ducts passing through tunnels, one
of which will be under Highgate Hill and the other under Dartmouth Park Hill
Observations were kept on goods trains and shunting engines operating between Kings Cross
and Finsbury Park It was found that the situation as far as smoke emission was concerned had
improved.
The pollution of the atmosphere caused by the emission of fumes from diesel-engined
lorries continues and this is to be regretted. If the engines are properly tuned and operated
no nuisance need arise from this source but complaints continue to be received particularly
in respect of traffic travelling up Archway Road Details are taken where possible and an
appropriate letter sent to the owners, who in most cases co-operate and express regret that
it has been found necessary to draw the matter to their attention.