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59
Draft Revised Drainage By-laws.—'These draft by-laws made by the
London County Council under Section 202 of the Metropolis Management
Act, 1855, were forwarded to the City Council for their observation. The
Public Health Committee considered the draft by-laws together with a
report by the Medical Officer of Health, and made a presentment which
has been embodied in the report of the Council. A communication was
addressed to the L.C.C. requesting that the by-laws be amended in
accordance with the views expressed in the report.
The draft by-laws are in some respects an improvement on those
now in force in that the requirements are set out in simpler form; certain
modifications are introduced with the object of bringing those requirements
into line with modern practice. Among the innovations to which
the Council took exception were: (1) permission to dispense with the
intercepting trap under certain conditions; (2) the inclusion of bidets
as slop sinks, so that the wastes from them shall discharge into soil pipes
and not into waste pipes, as at present. There are also certain points of
detail concerning sanitary construction, some of which are desirable,
while there are others to which exception has been taken.
Draft Revised Drainage By-laws made by the L.C.C. under Section 39
of the Public Health London Act, 1891.—These were forwarded in
the last week of the year for the observations of the Council. They
involve striking changes in the construction and methods of ventilation
of W.C.'s. They will be considered and reported on in due course.
Underground Kitchens.—This subject was under discussion during the
year and the following report was presented by the Public Health Committee
as representing their views. The hope was expressed that the
Council might consider it advisable to request the County Council to
introduce into a General Powers Act provisions consistent with the opinions
expressed in this report.
The Construction of Underground Kitchens in Newly-Erected Hotel and
Restaurant Premises.
"Proposals have been recently brought forward in connection with the
submission of plans of new buildings of the hotel restaurant type, whereby
it is intended to use the sub-basement floors as kitchens and as places for
the preparation of food.
It is realised that where site values are high, it is necessary to make the
utmost use of the available space. Unless, however, there is an open
area or other means of access to light and air, the premises are dependent
solely on mechanical methods of ventilation and are without daylight.
The depth beneath ground level may be as much as 27 feet, and work may
(6026)Q E 2