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The preliminary survey of Smoke Control Area No. 7
was carried out during the year but because of staff shortages
and pressure of other work it was not possible to make any
progress with Area No. 8., programmed to be dealt with at
the same time. The target date for bringing the whole of
Friern Barnet under smoke control was set for 1968, but to
the extent that we failed to meet the programme planned for
1964 it is doubtful if this target could have been attained
with existing staff, nonetheless the progress made is most
satisfactory. At the end of 1964 smoke control orders
covered 578 acres and 3,958 dwellings out of a total of 1,340
acres and 8,406 dwellings. Furthermore, Smoke Control
Order No. 7 which has subsequently been made will apply to
another 58 acres and 450 dwellings.
Two notifications of the installation of boilers with
a capacity in excess of 55,000 B.Th.U's., per hour were received,
one of which related to plant for centrally heating new school
buildings. Numerous smoke observations were made of the
industrial chimneys in the district and of chimneys in smoke
control areas but no offences were recorded. Discussions
were held regarding the building of a new boiler house at
Friern Hospital.
Measurement of smoke and sulphur dioxide in the air
in connection with the National Survey of air pollution by
the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research continued
during the year. It is regretted that the results cannot
be shewn as in previous reports because readings are processed
by a computer at the Warren Springs Laboratory and there is a
delay of some months. However, the general indication in
the London area is that smoke pollution is rapidly decreasing
but the sulphur dioxide figure is not. This remains a
problem for future administrations to resolve.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Storage of petroleum spirit and mixtures.
Twenty-three licences were granted to store a
total quantity of 56,230 gallons of petroleum spirit or mixtures,
of which 56,000 gallons were kept in underground tanks each
holding 500 gallons or more, and 230 gallons in small
containers.
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