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(8)
MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE.
Section 34 of the Act requires every factory in which more than 20 persons
are employed to be certified by the local authority as being provided with such
means of escape in case of fire for the persons employed therein as moy reasonably
be required in the circumstances of each case.
At the instance of H.M. Inspector of Factories, five applications for
certificates were received. These factories were inspected, and. in one case
improvements were required. Certificates specifying in detail the means of escape
provided, together with particulars of fire fighting appliances, '-ere issued to the
occupiers after completion, "here necessary, of the alterations.
HOUSING ACT. 1936 - OVERCROWDING.
In common with most other Authorities, it has been impossible to administer
the provisions of the above Act with regard to overcrowding. A certain number
of the most serious cases have of course been placed in new Council houses, but
a good deal of overcrowding exists. 103 new files have been added during the year
to the 3^32 surveys carried out prior to the war, and some 300 of these latter have
been revised. The information obtained will form a useful basis upon which to
work when it is possible to make a fresh start with this important matter. It
will also be to a large extent a guide as to the housing needs of the district.
VANS USED AS DWELLINGS.
The vans which entered the district for the purpose of attending Barnet Fair
were in many instances visited in order to ascertain their sanitary condition,
and to enquire as to any illness which might be of an infectious character.
Temporary sanitary accommodation was provided in different sections of the
Fair for the use of the caravaners and public, and attention paid to such matters
as disposal of fish offal and other refuse.
SANITARY CONDITION OF CINEMAS, DANCING HALLS
AND OTHER PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT.
The Halls used as cinemas, and for dancing and other entertainment, were
inspected during the year, concerning their fitness for the nature of the entertainment
proposed to be given as regards fire escape; ventilation; dressing,