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Unfortunately, one cannot burn certain of the solid smokeless fuels in old-type domestic
fireplaces and others, whilst they will burn, cannot be burned economically, It is, therefore,
necessary, when introducing smoke control areas, for the local authority to require the provision
of modern approved types of grate to be fitted where these are not already installed. Where such
grate replacement is necessary the Council has to contribute towards the cost of the new grate and
its installation. The grant from the Council is 7/10 of the cost, the owner or householder paying
3/10. The Council ultimately recovers 4/10 of the cost from the Treasury leaving only 3/10 to fall
on the ratepayers.
The Clean Air Act also gives a local authority power to pay 100% of the cost in certain special
cases, e.g. old age pensioners, persons on National Assistance, charities, etc. The Treasury's 4/10 is
payable in these '100%' cases also.
As regards industry, the local authority exercises its control by observing the chimneys of existing
plants to see that smoke emissions, if any, comply with those permitted under the Act and by
approving all proposed installations of new boiler plant (over 55,000 B.T.U's per hour) and other
types of furnace, before they are actually installed. This enables the Council to satisfy itself
beforehand that any new industrial plant can be operated virtually smokelessly or if not so
satisfied, to refuse to approve its installation. Local Authorities also have power to control the
height of industrial chimneys to avoid nuisance to neighbouring premises and to ensure adequate
dispersal and dilution of flue gases.
Apart from the benefits to health and the avoidance of preventable damage and consequent
economic loss to the country, the installation of modern domestic heating appliances gives other
important benefits.
An open fire burning coal heats solely by radiation and is about 5% efficient, i.e. for every ton
of coal bought only between 1/6 and 1/7 of the available heat paid for is actually used, the rest is
wasted as smoke and heat up the chimney.
A modern open fire burning smokeless fuel instead of coal is about 22% efficient merely by
eliminating the production of smoke.
Convector open fires are 30—35% efficient and free standing openable stoves, if used as closed
stoves, from 50—60% efficient.
One can, therefore, gain considerable additional benefit by changing to modern appliances
burning solid smokeless fuels — either one spends less money on fuel for the same amount of heat,
or spends the same money on fuel and obtains many times the heat, which adds greatly to comfort
and health.
7. PRESENT POSITION
The present position in the London Borough of Bexley is that 4 Smoke Control Areas exist, all
having been introduced by constituent authorities as follows:—
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