Fumigating Vans for Municipalities
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AS a result of slum-clearance schemes, a demand has arisen for vehicles equipped with fumigating apparatus, in order to disinfect, while in transit, all furniture moved from slum areas to
new housing estates. Many public bodies prefer to prevent the possibility of vermin being carried in furniture to the new dwellings by dealing with this matter themselves.
Cranes (Dereham), Ltd., South Green Works, Dereham, has developed several types of trailer van for this purpose, an example of which has been supplied to the London County Council.
The body of this particular vehicle has plywood outer panelling, with an inner lining of sheet metal backed with insulating material, an air space being provided between the two shells.
Twin doors are used at the .rear of the vehicle and are carefully made to be gas tight, rubber being used on all the edges to obtain a perfect seal. A special three-leaf lock is provided and is actuated by a single handle.
A patented fumigating process is employed, the patentee being Mr. H. W. Seymour, Chiswell House, Finsbury Pavement, London, E.C.2; the maker of the trailer supplies the necessary inlet and outlet pipes. A feature of the apparatus is that the whole process of fumigating and aerating is carried out mechanically to a time-table and not, as is usual, by chemical tests. Furthermore, the operator is not exposed to the fumes and is not required to wear a gas mask.
The chassis of the vehicle is similar to that of other trailers manufactured by the Crane concern, and is made as light as possible, consistent with adequate strength. The standard tyre equipment consists of 8f-in. by 10-in, low-pressure pneumatics, but 29-in. by 7-in, high-pressure tyres can be fitted if required.
Two other types of vehicle have been produced at a slightly cheaper price to fulfil the same purpose, the construction and insulation being of lighter design and less costly materals.