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INSPECTION OF FIREGUARDS
The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952, makes it an offence
to sell or hire or offer for sale or hire in the course of business any heating
appliance which is not fitted with a guard complying with the standards
prescribed by Regulations under the Act.
Two prosecutions were instituted by the Council during the year,
both against the same person.
In January three gas fires not fitted with guards were seen to be on
sale outside a second-hand shop in the Borough. The shop-keeper had
ignored warnings about the requirements of the Act on two previous
occasions, and it was therefore decided that legal proceedings should
be instituted.
The case was heard in March and a fine of £5 was imposed together
with costs of £2 2s. Od.
One week after the Court hearing it was seen that two of the three
fires which were the subject of the prosecution were still on sale without
guards. In addition an electric fire which failed to satisfy the probe
test provided for in the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations
1953, was exposed for sale.
Legal proceedings were again instituted, and as a result a fine of £10
was imposed together with costs of £2 2s. Od.
PETROLEUM-SPIRIT
The quantity of petroleum-spirit stored under licence is 103,310
gallons. 102,600 gallons are stored in underground tanks, 710 gallons
in properly sealed two gallon cans. In addition licences were issued for
the storage of 1,365 gallons of cellulose, 60 gallons of napthaline, 200
gallons of hydro-carbon and 60 gallons of petroleum mixtures. A licence
in force for the storage of 12,000 gallons of benzole was discontinued as
the manufacture of this fuel ceased during the year.
The construction of new installations in the Borough has been strictly
supervised and tested and no conflagration occurred at licensed premises
during the year. Where alterations or repairs are made in connection
with electrically operated meter pumps at filling stations the attention
of the licensee is directed to the Model Code of Standard Requirements.
The Model Code will be given full effect in January 1960, and electrically
operated pumps are to be made to comply with such requirements as
far as practicable by that date.
The first part of a Model Code on the principles of construction and
licensing conditions for the storage of petroleum spirit has been issued
by the Home Office. The Council's practice already follows closely both
sections of the Code, but in the light of the advice given some revision
of the conditions of licence issued by the Council will be necessary.
The chief of these relates to diesel oil. Many filling stations in the Borough
are now selling this oil and although it is not within the definition of
petroleum-spirit (having a flashpoint of about 175°F) where stored
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