Boiler House B
Four boilers were fired up in Station B, with each one being a 125/150,000lb per hour coal-fired boiler. They were designed and constructed by International Combustion Ltd in London and Derby.
The rectangular structure of the boiler house faces a north-to-south direction, opposite the coal stack. Its steel frame structure extends to an approximate height of 25m with reinforced concrete external walls rendered with paint finish. A strong system of columns and beams highlight the nature of the building's structural frame with three external facades encompassing a number of openings of different sizes.
Combustion gases were released through two chimneys on the roof of the Boiler House, with the dust being cleaned by four electro static precipitators that were also located on the roof. The flat concrete roof has eight square holes from when the precipitators, chimneys as well as all plant and equipment were removed.
The east elevation is an approximate 120m in length with 24 repetitive bays of five metres each. The arrangement of each bay are divided into three windows of equal width but varies in height and position between the horizontal beams. Windows consist of a steel frame with glazing bars, although much of the glazing panes have since been broken or destroyed.
The internal structural steel frames are visible with a mezzanine walkway, consisting of concrete with a ceramic tile finish, running the length of the building.
Exterior to the Boiler House B on the south side, a steel framed Ash Pump Chamber was located here, covered with corrugated asbestos cement sheets. It collected the ash from the boilers in underground sluice channels and pipes, pumping it to the far southern end of the site where settling pits were located. The ash disposal plant has since been removed and no doubt the underground infrastructure has been filled (or at least sealed), just like many of the tunnels and underground chambers. Whilst there are many intriguing shapes and plates cemented down on the ground floor, no doubt some would have once given access to the below ground areas.