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There are roughly 3,000 CLASP buildings still occupied across the UK with a variety of uses including schools, hospitals and other public and infrastructure buildings. These quick and cheap to build structures were transformative in 1950s Post-War Britain however they are now decaying and pose their own health risks to occupants.
We will discuss the history of CLASP buildings, what you need to know about them, the regulations surrounding CLASP buildings and asbestos and how EMS can help.
Book an asbestos survey for your CLASP building today by calling 0800 358 1100.
During the Blitz, more than two million buildings were destroyed across the UK, leaving the post-war government with a monumental rebuilding task and a hefty bill to go with it. In response, organisations such as the Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme (CLASP) began to form during the 1950s.
CLASP was the most prominent and focussed on finding ways to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure quickly and on a shoestring budget. The product was what became known as CLASP construction. They used a simple, easily replicable steel structure which was clad in other materials, predominantly asbestos.
CLASP buildings were especially popular in mining regions such as the north of England and the East Midlands. Their design allowed them to withstand issues caused by subsidence from the mine shafts that still permeate these areas.
Despite initially being intended as an extreme, short-term solution to a mounting infrastructure crisis, CLASP construction continued throughout the 1950s and well into the 1980s.
The remnants of CLASP construction are still evident across the UK even to this day. Approximately 3,000 CLASP buildings remain standing, many of which are still in use despite an estimated lifespan of about 60 years. CLASP construction is quite distinctive, marked out by an almost prefabricated appearance; CLASP structures often look as though they were built in sections with concrete or painted exteriors.
Many of the remaining CLASP structures are schools, with others being hospitals, railway buildings and even some homes, all of which were in short supply after the Second World War.
Almost all remaining CLASP buildings will feature asbestos. CLASP buildings and asbestos go hand in hand, as asbestos was the favoured material for cladding used to fill out the steel frames.
This leaves owners and operators of CLASP structures used for commercial, retail or industrial purposes with a legal responsibility to manage or remove asbestos at their sites. In these cases, the owner or operator is bound by the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) of 2012 to conduct an asbestos survey and subsequently draw up a robust asbestos management plan.
In domestic properties, the same regulations do not apply, but unidentified asbestos can pose a serious health risk if unknowingly disturbed.
EMS is a UKAS-accredited asbestos surveying company, providing expert asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys since 2003. We offer asbestos surveys in Worcester and across the UK as well as asbestos removal services, helping building managers, operators and employers fulfil their legal obligations.
If you own, operate or even work in a CLASP building, contact EMS today to book your survey. Call us on 01432 263333, email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form.
CLASP buildings were built using a steel frame which was then filled in with wood or asbestos concrete panels. They often featured lots of single-pane glass windows and flat or shallow-pitched roofs.
In many cases, yes. CLASP buildings and asbestos are usually linked as asbestos was often used in the panels these structures were clad with. It was fire-resistant, cost-effective and provided thermal insulation; an apparent wonder material before the health risks became apparent.
Spotting asbestos in CLASP buildings can be difficult without proper training, as a range of materials were used. The safest and most accurate way to determine whether a CLASP property contains asbestos is to arrange an asbestos survey with an accredited surveyor.
Yes, but great care should be taken to ensure safety and legal compliance. Prior to any renovations, an asbestos refurbishment survey should be conducted. This survey might make recommendations for asbestos management during the project or require asbestos removal. At EMS, we offer asbestos removal services throughout the UK.
