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49
OFFICES, SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963
Inspection of offices and shops of all types has progressed satisfactorily
throughout the year.
Premises are still being found-which are unregistered, and there still
seems to be general ignorance on the part of both large and small firms
of the requirement to register their premises if staff is employed.
In accordance with normal practice and where appropriate, planning
applications and plans have been referred to the department by the Borough
Engineer for comment. The scrutiny of these plans followed by reports to
architects, builders and agents with, in some cases, subsequent meetings,
is time absorbing and inevitably affects the number of routine visits made
to other premises. It is considered however that the long term gains made
by this form of approach are well worthwhile.
In all 850 plans have been scrutinised during the year under review.
Shopfitters, in particular, seem loth to provide means of ventilation to
shop front elevations on security grounds, but much good work has been
done in this respect in the absence of other forms of ventilation such as
air conditioning. A great deal of persuasion has to be used to convince
occupiers of shops that entrance doors alone cannot be accepted as a
means of ventilating a shop.
In a piano shop dry rot found in the wood lined walls was so severe
as to infect a piano to such an extent that it had to be destroyed. There
was adequate provision for ventilating the shop but the windows had been
sealed for a considerable time.
Lack of handrails, particularly in staff quarters of large new shops,
have been found to be a common fault and absence of steps, or unsuitable
means of ascent from floor level to loading bay deck level have been
found within months of completion of the premises.
In one large store the metal staircase balusters were so weak at the
change of direction on each floor of a six floored building as to fail to
withstand reasonable pressure of goods carried by hand and replacement by
strong metal mesh was found necessary.
Staircases designed as an architectural feature with rounded treads
and risers at the bottom of the flight and with handrails not extending to
the full length of the staircase provide accident risk to staff and customers
alike.
Eleven complaints were received during the year respecting overcrowding,
heating and ventilation of shops and offices.