40
61
is no proper storage for cinematograph film or celluloid in bulk, and the Fire Brigade has had to accept the expedient of insisting on storage in moored lighters in the Dangerous Goods Anchorage, or limiting storage to small quantities in enclosed compartments in places where if a fire
breaks out, least damage may expect to be done, i.e., om roofs of houses, etc.
It is corraon knowledge that the godown space of the Colony has
been considerably taxed by the amount of goods to be stored, and we are
have aware that goods ordered in bulk for export into China in many cases+had
to remain for longer periods in godowns than ever before. The pattern
of the economy has changed and nobody yet knows whether the change is
permanent. In these circumstances godown-keepers are unwilling to adapt
their godowns or to construct now ones, especially in view of high build- ing costs and the inadequate return from storage charges for dangerous goods. Storage of dangerous goods is in fact not a good commercial pro- position, and godown-owners who provide such storage offer it as a port-
facility and are well satisfied if they can avoid a loss. There is
therefore little inducement to construct special bulk storage facilities, except for the more obvious types of dangerous commodities, such as ex- plosives, storage for which is provided by the Government, and petroleum
products, storage of which is in special installations. Not unnaturally
in these circumstances, few special storages exist.
77. These difficulties we do not feel are insuperable. At least three
of the bigger European-managed godown companies provide facilities for
the storage of dangerous goods. Excluding explosives and petroleum
products, the number of commodities for which special storage is pres-
cribed is comparatively limited. For instance, almost the only requiro-
ments in respect of Category 6 goods (substances giving off a poisonous vapour) and Category 8 goods (combustible substances) is that they must
be stored in bulk in premises unconnected with domestic premises. Even
that requirement may be relaxed in respect of Category 8 goods with the
permission of the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade. On occasion both
the Chief Officer and the Director of Marine have been prepared to relax
the regulations in respect of the other categories, if they consider
circumstances warrut it and there is no undue fire risk. Even though