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Supplies
The wide range of work for this department includes paints, fuels, lubricating oils,
foods, soaps, plastics, solders, chemicals, drugs and general medical supplies.
The foodstuffs, which are purchased to an annual value of over a million pounds,
were generally of a high standard of quality and a careful watch on contamination from
the container, preservatives and general adulteration was maintained. All complaints
on these and other purchases are carefully investigated, new preparations are examined
for potential value to the Council and tenders are assessed to ensure that the cheapest
satisfactory material is recommended. Careful attention is given to the development of
synthetic detergents and new types are examined as they become commercially available.
Fire brigade
Much of the work in this field was of a consultative and advisory nature. Investigations
were made of cases in which spontaneous ignition was suspected as the cause of fire and
where particular materials had caused a fire to spread rapidly. In co-operation with
Fire Brigade officers, detailed consideration has been given to special measures needed
in combating fires involving dangerous chemicals.
Steam raising and heating plants
In collaboration with the Chief Engineer's Department many plants were regularly
visited and advice was given on their operation. 1,342 samples were taken for laboratory
examination. A typical problem on which investigation continued during the year
was the growth of sulphate-reducing bacteria in hot water installations. Experiment
with bactericides had showed that bacteriostatic conditions could be achieved by dosing
with acriflavine at a concentration of 15 parts per million and promising results were
obtained during the year from dichlorophene, a cheaper material.
Cleansing materials
Many types of cleansing materials, both solid and liquid, were examined for suitability
for use in kitchens, laundries, and for general cleaning. Further improvements were
made in the formulation of a dish-washing powder and tests for efficiency were made
both by laboratory methods and on restaurant scale. A rapid and inexpensive method
for bulk cleaning of nickel-silver cutlery was devised which gives a bright finish and
saves the labour cost of polishing.
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