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have been made that the sound be contained below a non-nuisance level. There is ample proof
that this is practicable in the second case because following a complaint from a local resident of
noise nuisance due to the testing of gas turbine engines a statutory notice was served on the
company responsible and the nuisance abated. The noise levels measured were: inside the test
cell—127 dBA, immediately outside the cell—114 dBA. It should be noted that continuous
exposure to a level of 90 dBA would necessitate personal protection from noise and this has been
provided for the employees. The noise level outside the complainant's house was 75 dBA. After
completion of the sound reduction work which included fitting silenced air intakes, sand filled
expansion boxes to silence exhausts, the level outside the complainant's house was 53 dBA.
The proposed power station at Bulls Bridge, Hayes, which will operate on gas turbine engines
should be planned and designed to minimise noise and a non-nuisance level should be readily
obtainable. Discussions in an effort to achieve this have taken place with officials of the Central
Electricity Generating Board and agreement is awaited.
LONDON (HEATHROW) AIRPORT NOISE INSULATION GRANTS SCHEME
Unless the British Airports Authority decides to extend this scheme, 1972 will be the last
year during which applications for a grant can be made to provide sound insulation for houses
in the defined area. The present grant of 60% or a maximum of £150 of the reasonable cost of
sound insulation works carried out remained the same, and so did the cost yardstick set by the
British Airports Authority. Few applications were made during the year and no problems have
been encountered. Details of applications dealt with are as follows:
No. of applications received 22
No. of applications granted 22
No. of applications dealt with since the start of the scheme
on 1st January, 1966 654
No. of private dwellings in the area 6,000
CONSUMER PROTECTION
The Consumer Protection Acts 1961/1971 authorised the Secretary of State by Regulations
to impose on the sale of certain classes of goods conditions designed for the safety of the purchaser.
Details of the work carried out in enforcement of some of these regulations is set out below:
(1) The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations 1953 lay down the design of guards
to be fitted to gas and electric fires and oil heaters. The Regulations are intended to
protect from risk of fire any persons brushing against this type of appliance. The guard
would not prevent a young child from deliberately touching the flame or heating element
and should not therefore be regarded as a replacement or substitute for the type of
guard used to protect a young child from fire as is required under the Children's and
Young Persons' Act of 1933. The guards provided to these types of appliances are
inspected during routine inspections of shops; no contravention of the regulations was
observed during 1971.
(2) The Oil Heaters Regulations 1962 lay down standards for the construction of oil heaters
and for the display of a suitable warning notice concerning the use of incorrect fuel,
over-filling and standing in draughts, etc. Leaflets explaining the dangers of using this
type of appliance incorrectly are distributed by the inspectorate where considered
appropriate and are available printed in Bengali, Hindi or Urdu. It would simplify distribution
of these leaflets if they could be obtained printed in multi languages. No contravention
of the Oil Heater Regulations was observed during 1971.
(3) The Night Dresses (Safety) Regulations, 1967 define the meaning of "Nightdress" and
lay down for children that nightdresses must be flame proof and that for women nightdresses
must be either flame proof or conspicuously labelled to the effect that the
garment must be kept away from fire. During 1971 equipment for testing the flammability
of materials was installed in the laboratory at Drayton Hall. All of the nightdresses
tested, including those purchased from market traders were found to be flameproof.
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