CLASP

[BB]

I am trying to find relevant information on the construction of CLASP Buildings – Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme.I am aware that it has been renamed to Scape.

My question is:

1.   When the foundation work for these buildings is prepared is there an individual pad construction for each upright column and once set the column then sits on top of each pad and firmly secured or:
2.   Is the land excavated the upright column placed into the hole and the concrete poured in setting around the upright column?

Your thought please as information is hard to find on the internet on relevant foundation works for CLASP construction.

[John Webb]

Clasp is quite old now - developed by Herts County Council and other LAs to cheaply supply schools etc in the post-WW2 baby boom. The building design was also useful in areas subject to mining subsidence as the whole building could flex.

I've a booklet by Andrew Saint somewhere on CLASP but it may take time to dig it up from wherever it's buried!

Possibly a look at www.hertsdirect.org might help? Or RIBA may have some information?

I have a feeling the columns are mounted on top of pads rather than buried in the soil.

[Chris Houston]

As those of us who survey schools call them:

Collection of Loosely Assembly Steel Parts.

There are other ones in different areas SEAC and SCOLA I think, it's been a few years.

[kurnal]

Numerous versions of clasp, some very different. Do you know which version you are concerned with?  (I know very little  about it personally but I may know a man who does)

[BB]

 Thanks John for the link, could not find any information on thier web site so have raised the question on their comments section. Still waiting for a reply, there is proberley lots of head scratching going on!!

My thoughts are similar to your in so far as they sit on top of the pads.

Kurnal In reply to your question I was just after a general overview on CLASP buildings no particular type of building in general

[Chris Houston]

An overview:  a load of rubbish.

Slightly more detail: unprotected lightweight steel frames, open ceiling voids.  Built as a temporary solution when the school leaving age was raised and suddently the government needed 6 years of hight school instead of 4 so they expect schools from the building regs and allowed them to throw up shoddy buildings that burn really well.  Combined with the arson risk in schools, a daft decision.

[SmokeyDokey]

BB you could just try asking CLASP.  http://www.clasp.gov.uk/NetBuildPro/process/7/ContactUs.html
Paul Windle looks a pretty fair bet for the type of info you are after.

[BB]

Thanks for the link Smokey Dokey