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7. CLEAN AIR ACT, 1956—SECTION 10. With the
passing of the Clean Air Act, apart from the administrative work
involved in formulating Smoke Control Areas the Department has
had to give consideration on many occasions to advice and approval
where industrial undertakings are considering the installation of new
heating equipment. Under this Section, the Local Authority are to
be satisfied that the height of the chimney is such that the products
of combustion will be adequately dispersed and will not give rise to
complaint of nuisance. Close co-operation has been maintained with
the Borough Engineer and Surveyor where plans have been deposited
and which include the installation of new plant. Advice has been
given in every case on the suitable heights of chimneys. There has
been a tendency in recent years for architects to ask for an absolute
minimum height of stack in order that the height of the building
shall be kept in perspective and plans have been received in which
the proposed height of the stack was not more than 30 feet. When
it has been explained to the firms concerned that the proper dispersal
of the products of combustion and particularly of sulphur fumes
inevitable with the combustion of most types of fuel must be borne in
mind, active co-operation has been forthcoming and, in general, it
has been possible to arrange for the erection of stacks to a minimum
height of 50 feet. This figure has been taken as a basic unit for
compartively small installations and has been increased or decreased
according to prevailing circumstances, such as configuration of land,
height of nearby buildings, etc. Large installations, of course, would
require chimneys of considerably greater height.
In arriving at a decision on the height of chimneys, there is a
conflict between the aesthetic and planning points of view and the
practical ones, so that a sensible balance must be struck between these
factors having due regard to the health and comfort of the residents
of the neighbourhood.
There has been a certain degree of changeover in fuel use by
industrialists in the Borough during the year and the practice of burning
fuel oils of various viscosities has increased, with a resultant
decrease in visible smoke but with sulphur fume output remaining
much as before.
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