Sewer gas destructor lamp
This patented sewer gas lamp, referred to as the sewer gas destructor lamp or sometime affectionately known as the fart lamp was designed by the Birmingham inventor Joseph Webb in the 1800s. It was designed to both light the street and burn off dangerous gases from the sewers.
A build up of methane gas from the new 1860's subterranean sewers designed by Sir Joseph Basaljet was a real threat, with the possibility of leading to underground explosions, the lamp provided the means of out let with out the stench and the bonus of lighting the streets. The Great Stink of 1858, is well recorded and the design in part helped mitigate the issue by creating a dome below the lamp to collect the gas, which had a hollow tube above that slowly fed the lamp with gas, the heat of which create the through flow to draw more gas into the lamp.
Only one such lamp now exists in London and continues to be part of the original the sewer system that ran through the embankment and into a network beneath the streets. The lamp is located just off the Strand in London and continues to function using the biogas which is generated from the sewer system.
Featured articles and news
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.