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changing windows - structural calculations for lintol

2

Comments

  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    Furts wrote: »
    I suspect it is too late for OP to change course, but the standard lintel manufacturers (eg Catnic, IG) do this FOC (provided they are given the necessary info.) I have used this service many times for buildings. Hence, no structural engineers fees.

    For large openings (beyond the scope of normal Catnic, IG etc.)I have gone to a local steel workshop that designs and makes for a fixed price, complete with calculations. Again, no structural engineers fees.

    That's exactly my point Furts, cheers, stating that only X can do Z is really flawed.

    I could do this in the 6th form, (way way back), doing
    Physics and Eng
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,078 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    That's exactly my point Furts, cheers, stating that only X can do Z is really flawed.

    I could do this in the 6th form, (way way back), doing
    Physics and Eng

    A building control officer will not accept your sixth form physics to sign off a structural opening.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    Doozergirl wrote: »
    A building control officer will not accept your sixth form physics to sign off a structural opening.

    But he will accept a graduate in eng or physics calcs, be they currently working is a St Eng or otherwise. You said he/she needs to be a structural engineer?, he/she doesn't, others qualify with other qualifications.
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,078 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 2 September 2014 at 2:02PM
    But he will accept a graduate in eng or physics calcs, be they currently working is a St Eng or otherwise. You said he/she needs to be a structural engineer?, he/she doesn't, others qualify with other qualifications.

    It is essential that calculations are produced by persons having experience, qualifications and professional indemnity insurance appropriate to the complexity of the structure. To a lay person, that is always going to be a structural engineer, unless we're doing that random
    Googling thing that you like to do for people that don't have the professional name or qualifications but could do it you at a good price, again.

    Like I said. Sixth form physics is not acceptable.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • teneighty
    teneighty Posts: 1,347 Forumite
    One of the rare occasions I have to disagree with DG on this one.


    To pay a structural engineer to "design" a lintel for a window opening is an unnecessary expense. (Unless it is in Scotland)


    As Furts said it is just a matter of using a proprietary lintel from one of the main manufacturers and either using their safe load/span tables or getting them to work out the loading free of charge. It is a very simple process and well within the scope of a competent DIY'er and maybe even cy.
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,078 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 2 September 2014 at 4:14PM
    teneighty wrote: »
    One of the rare occasions I have to disagree with DG on this one.


    To pay a structural engineer to "design" a lintel for a window opening is an unnecessary expense. (Unless it is in Scotland)


    As Furts said it is just a matter of using a proprietary lintel from one of the main manufacturers and either using their safe load/span tables or getting them to work out the loading free of charge. It is a very simple process and well within the scope of a competent DIY'er and maybe even cy.

    You made me laugh :)

    I think I need to clarify as we're talking at cross purposes. To enlarge an opening or to move a window opening requires separate building control approval to a FENSA or CERTASS certificate.

    My reference to builders that I have quoted against related to openings of 3-4 metres and above. I have not meant to imply that every single window opening needs a structural engineer, but I do stand by every calculation that is needed for a steel to be fabricated needing to be provided by a structural engineer. I had presumed that the OP's builder had said that the window opening was too large for a regular Catnic and that was why the OP was raised.

    Back to the OP, we still seem to have a window company that thinks that building control don't need to be involved - they absolutely do. Whether a structural engineer is needed is down to the span of the window. The building inspector will know and understand the off the shelf varieties but he will definitely want to see the lintel clearly in place before it disappears under plaster. The builder should be trusted to know.

    It is ridiculous for the window company not to quote for a full job when a full job is required and the builder is sub-contracted by them.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    Doozergirl wrote: »
    It is essential that calculations are produced by persons having experience, qualifications and professional indemnity insurance appropriate to the complexity of the structure. To a lay person, that is always going to be a structural engineer, unless we're doing that random
    Googling thing that you like to do for people that don't have the professional name or qualifications but could do it you at a good price, again.

    Like I said. Sixth form physics is not acceptable.

    We didn't mention the lay person. You mentioned that but not as a lay person, as someone in the "know", which I don't deny.

    The council either accept or reject the calcs, if they accept they also accept the responsibility
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,078 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    We didn't mention the lay person. You mentioned that but not as a lay person, as someone in the "know", which I don't deny.

    The council either accept or reject the calcs, if they accept they also accept the responsibility

    As someone in the know, it's always going to be a structural engineer to me too. I don't know anyone else that would do what I need to be done in the scenario of needing a steel fabricating for a large opening in an existing structure and ensure I'm able to follow an insurable path!
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • Doozergirl wrote: »
    It is ridiculous for the window company not to quote for a full job when a full job is required and the builder is sub-contracted by them.

    I know I waffled like a b*stard....but that was my main point made more succinct yes...!
  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    Doozergirl wrote: »
    As someone in the know, it's always going to be a structural engineer to me too. I don't know anyone else that would do what I need to be done in the scenario of needing a steel fabricating for a large opening in an existing structure and ensure I'm able to follow an insurable path!

    But you follow a differnt path to most here, you are a professional providing services that you are accountable for.

    But read the forum section heading, something like "in my home inc diy".

    There lies the issue, there are often 2 ways to go, and as this is a money saving forum I will always suggest that there are alternatives, to say only a structural eng can do the calcs is simply not correct, isn't it??
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
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