Professional Structural Steel
Beam (RSJ) Design &
Installation in Brighton

The Art of Load-Bearing Wall Removal

While load-bearing walls provide necessary support, they can restrict design possibilities. Our expertise in load-bearing wall removal allows us to carefully extract these walls while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the building. This process creates open, airy spaces that enhance light and design flexibility.

Removing a load-bearing wall without proper structural calculations is one of the most dangerous DIY or cowboy-builder mistakes. The wall exists because it carries the weight of the structure above — removing it without adequate temporary support and a correctly sized replacement beam can cause ceiling collapse, floor sagging, and catastrophic structural failure.

Even when a steel beam is installed, incorrect sizing causes long-term problems. An undersized beam will deflect under load, causing cracking in plasterwork above, doors that stick, and visible sagging. Over time, excessive deflection can damage the structure permanently.

Bearing point failure is equally dangerous. The steel beam transfers concentrated loads to the points where it sits on the wall. If these bearing points are not properly designed — with adequate padstones and sufficient wall beneath — the load can crush the masonry, causing the beam to drop and the structure to fail.

Steel Beam Installations: Specifications, Methods & Technical Detail

Universal Beams (UBs) — commonly called RSJs (Rolled Steel Joists) — are the standard structural steel sections used in domestic construction. They are manufactured in a range of sizes from 127x76 UB (the smallest common domestic size) to 610x229 UB for large spans. The correct size is determined by structural calculation based on span, loading, and deflection limits.

For a typical kitchen-diner wall removal in a Brighton Victorian terrace (3–4 metre span, single storey above), the beam is usually 152x89 UB to 203x133 UB in S275 grade steel. For two-storey loads or wider spans, heavier sections up to 254x146 UB or 305x165 UB may be required.

Bearing point design is critical. Each end of the beam sits on a concrete padstone (minimum 225x225x100mm for most domestic applications) or a steel bearing plate that distributes the concentrated load into the supporting wall. The wall beneath must be continuous down to foundation level with adequate load-bearing capacity.

Temporary works during wall removal follow a precise sequence: Strongboy props are fitted through the wall at regular intervals to support the masonry above. Acrow props support floor joists if the wall carries floor loads. The wall is then removed in sections, the beam is lifted into position (often requiring multiple operatives), and the beam is secured at its bearing points before any temporary support is removed.

Fire protection may be required where steel beams support upper floors in domestic properties. This is typically achieved through intumescent paint (providing 30 or 60 minutes fire resistance) or by encasing the beam in fire-rated plasterboard. The requirement depends on the beam's location and building regulation requirements.

Steel beam costs in Brighton include the engineering calculations (£300–£600), the steel beam itself (£200–£800 depending on size), building control fees (£200–£400), and installation labour (£1,500–£3,500). A complete RSJ installation including all plastering and making good typically costs £3,000–£6,000.

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