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Dampness Dehumidified
Very early one morning in August, a large high pressure water main belonging to the
Metropolitan Water Board burst in Coopers Lane, Leyton. Residents were awakened by the sound
of rushing water to find that their houses were being flooded. Houses in Brewster Road were also
affected and the cellars of these houses filled completely. After the main had been turned off, the
water quickly subsided, leaving a not inconsiderable mess to be cleared up and cellars to be pumped
dry.
The department assisted occupiers in drying floors and sub-floor spaces; as a matter of
urgency three electrically operated dehumidifiers were hired and loaned to residents for periods of
up to twenty-four hours each. The machines collected a considerable amount of water and materially
assisted in the rapid drying out of floors and sub-floor spaces. The loan of the machines was
offered to all residents whose property had been affected, but not all took advantage. Arrangements
were also made for the fire brigade to pump water from flooded cellars.
The Department provided facilities for drying out some household furnishings which had
become saturated.
Lighting
The primary object of a survey carried out during the year was to obtain detailed information
which would assist the Minister of Labour in consideration of the question of making regulations
prescribing statutory standards of lighting. To supplement visual inspection and assessment of the
suitability and sufficiency of lighting, light meter readings were taken at specified parts of shop
and office premises and compared with the standards recommended by the Illuminating Engineering
Society, viz:-
Lumens per Sq.Ft.
Lifts, stairs and corridors: cloakrooms
and toilets 7-10
Rough Work, waiting rooms, canteens,
staff rooms 15-20
Classroom, shop counters, kitchens 20-30
Medium work- offices 30-45
Drawing boards, business machines 45+
Delicate and close work 45-150
GENERAL IMPRESSION OF STANDARDS OF LIGHTING
(a) Reliance upon natural lighting can be discounted in shops. Although in general some
natural light was present, the obstruction of such by window displays, and the necessity to show
stock to the best advantage, made artificial light essential. In offices, although no underground
rooms were found to be in use, only few people, sitting near windows, were found to be working
without some form of artificial lighting; no lighting other than electrical was encountered.
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