View report page

CHIMNEY HEIGHTS
Quite apart from any other requirements the heights of chimneys serving certain categories
of furnace e.g. one burning gaseous or liquid fuel at the rate of 1% million or more British Thermal
Units per hour require to be approved by the local authority as means of controlling atmospheric
pollution.
Where applications are made there is a need for extension technical assessment involving the
installation engineers and others but on no occasion during the year has it been necessary to call
in outside consultants although arrangements exist whereby this can be done.
RATS AND MICE
The problem of infestations by rats and mice continues to occupy a large proportion of time
of the Foreman and three Operators employed in the department. Major infestations by either
species are rare and many of the requests for control treatment have been for small infestations,
especially of living accommodation by domestic mice. Although Warfarin is the main rodenticide
used, recourse has to be made to other materials in persistent or difficult cases. The elimination of
infestations require the close co-operation of the occupier as otherwise some resistence to normal
control measures may occur and pockets of infestation become established.
Approximately 825 complaints of rats and 700 complaints of mice have been dealt with
during the year; in some cases incidents are reported by more than one person, for example in
cases where rats are seen in house gardens, but this indicates the public awareness to the fact that
control measures are necessary.
Where necessary local treatments of the drainage system are carried out particularly where it
is thought that surface infestations may be associated with the system but the indications are that
the degree cf infestation of the drainage system is low.
DISINFECTION
The widespread disinfection of houses by gaseous methods after the occurrence of infectious
diseases is not now carried out although advice and service is provided where necessary.
Where articles cannot be effectively disinfected on site then arrangements exist for them to
be transported to an adjoining local authority for attention in their disinfecting chamber.
PERSONS
Arrangements exist with an adjoining local authority for transfer to their Cleansing Station
of persons and suitable articles requiring disinfestation. The calls for this service are now
fortunately rare.
122