manometer

Vernier draught gauge (manometer), made by Duguids Ltd., Lymm, Cheshire, 1950-59. Used by the North-West branch of the National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service (NIFES).

This draught gauge could measure the pressure of gas in chimney flues. The NW 1072 stamped on the gauge shows that this instrument was listed on the NIFES's Instrument Room’s inventory. NIFES Engineers requested instruments, like this one, and took them out on jobs with them.

The fuel economy of the UK changed dramatically between the 1930’s and 1940’s. An excess of domestic production of fuel in the 1930’s became a serious deficiency by the late 1940’s.

The National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service (NIFES) was established in 1953 in order to advise on fuel efficiency after the government nationalised the power industry. The Electricity Act 1947 merged over 600 individual companies into 12 area boards.

NIFES engineers performed energy audits and surveys, emissions testing, efficiency and deliver training courses. NIFES Northwest division was based on Oxford Road in Manchester then moved out to Altrincham. Today NIFES still supplies clients with independent energy related engineering consultancy.