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26
Paintwork is completely absent. Contemporary ceramic tiles line the walls,
thermoplastic tiles cover the floor and acoustic stove enamelled tiles are employed to
form the suspended ceiling. Flush fitted fluorescent light fittings line up with
plastic louvres giving a foul air exit through variable speed extract fans.
Two doors marked "In" and "Out" ensure a clockwise flow of the public using the
laundrette.
The "backroom" plant consists of a Permutit automatic water softener through which
the mains water is softened to zero hardness and elevated to a 2,000 gallon storage
tank on the roof. A common supply from this tank, through a centrifugal pump induces
an artificial head of SO feet to give equal pressures on the hot and cold services.
The 300 gallon hot water storage cylinder is inter-connected with two 200,000 B.T.U's
per hour Potterton gas fired boilers which are also fully automatic and time-clock
controlled.
Two 80 gallon soap solution tanks fitted with immersion heaters ensure a full
days supply. Two female supervisors are the only staff employed and share a 72 hour
operational week. The complete installation receives only a routine daily visit from
a maintenance engineer.
The charges are 2/- for a hot, warm or woollen washes, 1d. for the use of hydro
extractors and 6d, for the use of drying tumblers. A liquid bleach machine vends four
fluid ounces for 3d.
Tiverton Road Baths and Laundry
This establishment is situated in the southern part of the Borough and until
1962, like Bromley Road, it operated for 30 years as a "Public Wash-house". Upon
redevelopment of the surrounding area under the Slum Clearance programme, the Council
decided to retain and preserve this establishment as a site amenity after modernisation.
The modernisation scheme provided for the entire gutting of all plant and machinery
within the laundry and boiler house and its replacement.
A person may present up to but not exceeding a maximum of 25 lbs. dry weight of
any classification for processing. After loading the machine, she may select her own
washing formulae, insert the requisite coins in the coin mechanism and press the start
button. The washing machine will carry out the complete selected washing cycle in 20
minutes for white work, 17 minutes for coloureds and 13 minutes for woollens. Soap
and soda is automatically introduced so that the customer is relieved of even this small
task. At the end of this process the work is removed to the hydro extractor for
further high speed water extraction before being transferred to the steam drying tumbler.
The drying tumbler is pre-set for a five minute run, after which period the
customer removes work required for ironing and at this stage is still slightly damp.
She may retain the use of the tumbler for any work requiring to be fully dried. A
further five minute run will ensure this.
The ironing machine is of adequate dimensions to enable two persons to work at the
same time. This machine will iron all flat articles and the customer will have
completed the washing, drying and ironing of her load within 45 minutes for an inclusive
charge of 4/- per load.
Attendances prior to modernisation averaged only 400 per week, but today attendances
are to the order of 800 per week and steadily increasing.