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On the credit side, thanks to the co-operation of certain
people who appreciated the reason for the visits, there have been
some improvements. In this respect, the following cases are worthy
of mention.
(c) A room high above ground and capable of holding several
hundreds of persons had only one exit, that used as
the "way in." An emergency exit had been provided,
this was by way of an external staircase which led to
an enclosed yard from which there was no escape. This
room is no longer used.
(d) A room situated on the ground floor in a building of
sound construction with secondary means of escape and
fire fighting equipment. At tables, persons were seated
in rows, touching back to back, there were no gangways
between the rows. Persons were also seated at tables
blocking the main and emergency exits. Escape would
have been extremely difficult, if not impossible. A
re-arrangement has now been made.
11. CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 1961
This Act came into force on the 19th August, 1961. The
Secretary of State may by regulation impose safety requirements
and instructions on certain goods likely to cause death or personal
injury. The Act revokes The Heating Appliances (Fireguards)
Act, 1952, and the Oil Burners (Standards) Act, 1960. However,
The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations, 1953, are
retained as if they were made under Section 1 of the Act.
No regulations have been made in connection with safely
standards and instructions for the use of oil heaters, though it
is understood they are at an advanced stage of preparation.
During the year 54 routine visits were made to shops and
other selling points. There were four infringements The guard
on one electric fire had been fitted in the reverse position allowing
the test probe to be inserted through the guard so as to touch
the heating element. In another, the guard had become damaged
during transit and had been put on sale without being noticed.
One heating appliance was exposed for sale without a guard
The seller had forgotten to fix the guard supplied to him with the
appliance.
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