Do I need a structural engineer for an RSJ?

John-c_7

Hi,
We are renovating a 1949 ex RAF house.

It has 6 inch solid, interior, load bearing wall we wish to knock down to join the living room dining room. The dining room is quite small so the wall that will be removed is only 7ft 11inches or 2.41 metres

Do I need a structural engineer to do calculations for an RSJ?

I've had a local builder come round and quote for the work but he said nothing about getting one involved, is that my responsibility or his ?

Thanks
JC

illzlee

as homeowner, it is your responsibility to ensure the work complies with building regulations. Building control will want to see some calcs proving that the size of Universal Beam is sufficient to carry the load above and inspect that it has been installed correctly (see an episode of property ladder where a guy had packed out under a steel with wood/slate/brick end etc). Have a quick chat with bc and have a mooch around for a small structural engineering practice for calcs.

Porky996T

I second what illzlee says (above) - look for a sole practitioner structural engineer if you can - it shouldn't cost a lot as it is a simple beam calc, but you'll need the print out of the calcs to keep Building Control happy.

cobu

see the building control officer first he may just save you that money if the arrangement, layout and loading is simple

MX5huggy

Ask your builder what he is expecting you to.

John-c_7

Thanks very much folks that was a great help.