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Industrial Survey
It has been proposed for some time to have an up-to-date record and appraisal
of all industrial furnaces in the Borough, the main drawback has always been staff
difficulties.
In-service training of the present technical assistants has enabled a start to be
made on such a survey. Nevertheless, it must be recognised that the survey can only be
a 'surface' survey as opposed to one in depth. The latter can only be accomplished
with adequately qualified and experienced Public Health Inspectors or assistants with
specialised technical knowledge.
The survey has so far provided certain useful information. For example, of the
2,000 industrial visits made by the end of the year, 325 furnaces were recorded as being
industrial, i.e. with a rating of 55,000 Btu.s and above: 150 of the 325 furnaces were
oil-fired, with 105 of that total on low sulphur oil. Gas-firing accounted for 132 furnaces
while only 36 were on solid fuel.
Grit and Dust Control and Measurement
Two new Regulations were made during the year, both relating to the control of
grit and dust.
The Clean Air (Emission of Grit and Dust from Furnaces) Regulations 1971
were made on 1st February 1971 and controlled emission from both new and existing
furnaces. For new furnaces, the effective date was 1st November 1971 and for existing
furnaces, alas, 1st January 1978.
In the Clean Air (Measurement of Grit and Dust from Furnaces) Regulations
of 1971, the operative date was 15th March 1971.
Height of Chimneys
Fourteen formal applications were approved for chimney height. In all the
applications, prior consultations for suitable heights were obtained by the applicant
before submission.
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