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of noise nuisance, particularly where the Local Authority is convinced that a statutory
nuisance is being created or that the noise is, in fact, prejudicial to health. There
are, however, many instances where although action would not be warranted under the
above provisions the complainants (frequently petitioners) nevertheless suffer considerable
inconvenience, and it is in these cases that every effort is made to secure by
persuasion and suggestion the amelioration of conditions. This has been achieved in a
number of cases in the past year, and conditions greatly improved by various measures
such as the erection of baffle walls, cancellation of a night shift, attention to
electric fans, re-location of machinery, and by general good-will and co-operation of
industrial management.
An example of new legislation affecting business premises is the Fabrics (Misdescription)
Regulations, 1959, which prescribe new standards of non-flammability to which
textile fabrics must conform if they are described in any way which implies that they
are non-flammable or give a measure of safety from fire.
The Regulations are made under the Fabrics (Misdescription) Act, 1913, and it is
an offence under the regulations to describe as non-flammable or as giving a degree of
protection from fire, any textile fabric which does not conform to the requisite
prescribed standards. Shoppers buying fabrics which meet the standards will be assured
not only that they give a high level of protection but that the processing will not be
destroyed by normal laundering.
The Act lays the duty of enforcement on Local Authorities. In Leyton the officer
authorised under the Act is the Public Health Inspector. There are two standards now
in force, one to which fabrics must conform if they are described in terms which suggest
they are non-flammable, and a lower, but nevertheless stringent, standard to which all
textile fabrics for which some degree of the quality of non-flammability is claimed
must conform. Standard washing treatments are prescribed to which the fabrics must be
submitted before the final burning tests. These treatments are designed to ensure as
far as possible that the material will retain its fire-resistant properties throughout
its useful life, always provided that it is washed in ways suitable for coloured fabrics
and is not bleached; bleach tends to destroy the effect of flame-resistant processing.
The relevant standards are as follows:-
(a) Performance requirements of materials for Flameproof Clothing. (B. S.3120,
1959). This standard also covers material used for flameproof industrial clothing.
(b) Performance requirements of fabrics described as of low Flammability.
(B. S. 3121, 1959).
In addition, the following British Standards have also been made in connection
with this matter:-
(c) Tests for the Flammability of Fabrics. (B.S.2963, 1958)
(d) Flame Proof Industrial Clothing. (Materials and Design). (B.S.1547, 1959).
(e) Method of Test for Flameproof Materials. (B.S.3119, 1959).
The performance requirements of the British Standards, (a) and (b) for textile
fabrics, are reproduced below:-
(19)