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57
On April 1st the contract for stripping and cleansing of rooms expired, and
was not renewed by the Council, as the system of spraying and fumigating
rooms had been adopted by them; the difficulty previously experienced of
finding a suitable spraying apparatus was overcome by the discovery of a light
portable apparatus with a maximum atmospheric pressure of 451bs. per square
inch, and a minimum pressure of 151bs. The cylinder holds a gallon and-ahalf
of disinfecting liquid, and when full weighs 281bs. The abolition of
stripping in all cases (except in Small pox, which is done by the Works
Department) has been a general saving. The adoption of spraying has been
attended with success, 877 rooms having been so treated. The disinfector
leaves one pound of soft soap at every room he sprays.
3,461 articles were destroyed by fire with the consent of the owners.
32,356 articles were disinfected by steam in the steam chambers, in addition
to the wearing apparel of infectious disease contacts, and persons dealt with
under the cleansing of Persons Act; and 10,308 articles were removed to the
disinfecting station and fumigated in the specially constructed chamber.
Underground Bakehouses.— Mr. Barth, the Inspector of Bakehouses, resigned
in March, and the supervision of the alterations to the underground bakehouses
was transferred to me, which necessitated 1,182 visits. The drains
of these bakehouses were tested with Kemp's odour test, and defects, if found,
remedied in most cases by reconstruction, the drainage work being supervised
by the Inspector of the District.
The baking room walls were rendered from floor to ceiling with a hard
impervious material, the ceiling made dust proof, stall board and pavement
ventilation abolished, windows opening on to areas abutting on the public way
were provided with side pieces to form a hood, and so prevent dust from entering.
Wherever possible no ventilation from the street (below 8 feet above ground
level), however indirect, was allowed by the Council. When necessary, in
addition to ordinary inlets and outlets, an air shaft was provided in the
Bulkhead, terminating above the shop window, about facia level. It was found
possible to carry these shafts up without reducing the window space, or
injuring the design of the shop front; they answer the purpose of carrying off
the steam and hot air near the oven, and were only fixed where the ovens are
in the front of the premises. The stairways leading directly from the shop
into the baking room are protected by a cabin hood, provided with a door, and
a flap at floor level.
The floors are of a hard, smooth, impervious material, well jointed.
The lighting and ventilation of every underground bakehouse in the Borough
has been improved by carrying out the requirements of the Council.
The level bakehouses have been cleansed at the usual periods.
Offensive Trades.— I paid 19 visits to offensive trade premises during the year,
and found them in a satisfactory condition.
Smoke Shafts.— I made 88 observations of smoke shafts, but owing to the
underground bakehouse work, this work was transferred to the Inspector of
Workplaces.
I am, &c.,
W. Gr. Auger,
Special Inspector.