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56
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
CLEAN AIR ACT. 1956
During the year action was taken under the following sections of this
Act: -
SECTION 1 (Prohibition of dark smoke from, chimneys). Five contraventions of
the provisions of this section were observed and were dealt with by way of
warning letters. Three summonses were issued in respect of offences committed
in the previous year, one against a Clothing Manufacturer resulted inthe
imposition of a fine and costs, the second, against a Pencil Manufacturer was
withdrawn following the execution of works in the third case the summons was
not served as the defendant had left the premises concerned.
SECTION 2 (Temporary exemptions from Section 1). The following Circular was
issued by the Minister of Housing and Local Government:-
Circular No. 42/61
CLEAN AIR ACT, 1956
INDUSTRIAL FURNACES
1. I am directed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government
to draw your council's attention to the provisions of Section 2 of
the Clean Air Act, 1956 which provides a defence against prosecution
under section 1 of the Act where dark smoke has been emitted from the
chimney of any building
2. The defence is limited to a period of seven years from the
passing of the Act and this means that after 5th July, 1963, it will
no longer be possible to plead as a defence in any proceedings for an
offence under section 1 that the contravention was due to faulty
buildings or equipment and to inability to remedy this.
3. The Minister accordingly suggests that local authorities
should ascertain to what extent buildings and furnaces in their
area have not yet been altered or equipped to meet the provisions of
the Clean Air Act and where necessary, remind those concerned that time
is beginning to run out.
SECTION 3 (Requirement that new furnaces shall be so far as practicable
smokeless). Eleven notifications of intention to install thirteen furnaces
were received. In three of these cases applications for "prior approval" were
made in respect of five furnaces. Approval was granted in two cases on the
following conditions:-*
No. 1 (Installation of three low pressure hot water boilers).
(a) The fuel to be used must have a viscosity of not more than 200 seconds
Redwood at 100°F.
(b) The installation shall be so installed, operated and maintained as to
minimise the emission of smoke and be fitted with a photo-electric cell or
similar smoke alarm.
No. 2 (Installation of fully automatic oil-fired "Lumbyn 25 s. steam boiler).
(a) The plant being installed, operated and equipped in accordance with the
specification submitted by the installation engineers.
(b) Notwithstanding any automatic controls the plant must be controlled by a
trained operator.