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Fire brigade
Much of the work in this field was of a consultative and advisory nature. An officer
of the branch serves on British Standards Institution Technical Committees on fire
resistance and incombustibility and the inflammability of cinematograph films.
Investigations were made of cases in which spontaneous ignition was suspected and
three examples of hazardous materials that were encountered were wood impregnated
with silver nitrate, fine metal turnings and fibres from buffs containing grease and
metallic dust. The merits of an automatic foam producing system were assessed, fire.
retarding compounds were investigated and reports were made on suitability for use of
rubber hose, foam producing compounds and chemical extinguishers.
Steam raising, heating, etc., plants, laundries
In collaboration with the Chief Engineer's or Architect's Departments many plants
under this heading were examined. Twenty.eight steam raising plants were regularly
visited and a further 21 must be added to the list shortly. Sixteen softener plants and
14 hot water systems are tested periodically and 10 others from time to time.
The Council maintains 19 large laundries with commercial type equipment and
numerous small ones with domestic appliances. With the scientific staff available every
effort is made to visit these establishments, determine the efficiency of the processes and
advise on difficulties arising. Economically, this is a very important branch of the work,
in view of the value of the goods involved and the damage that can be done by incorrect
washing procedures. Special methods are often recommended, taking into account the
circumstances, equipment available, financial considerations and staff.
Miscellaneous
Many interesting matters could be mentioned under this heading of which a few
examples are given below :
(1) Investigation of plastic lampshades, deterioration temperature and overcoming
static electricity difficulties.
(2) Report on mixtures of different fibres in brushes.
(3) Experiments to determine the force exerted by a child stumbling and its effect
on glass panels.
(4) Recommendations on the destruction of large quantities of chemicals which
could not be discharged as such into the sewer.
Attention was paid to the development of new analytical methods and close liaison
was maintained with many Research Associations, Government Scientific Establishments,
etc. The Scientific Adviser served on one Government Committee, two of the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and eleven of the British Standards
Institution, and acted as an expert witness for the Board of Trade in a series of prosecutions
connected with the sale of turpentine substitutes.
Publications and lectures during the year were :
((b) Detergents—S. G. Burgess.
The staff numbered 57, which included 26 graduates, 27 ancillary staff and 4 in the
clerical section.
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