What do these vertical beams in loft support?

Lunielumps

Hello,

We are waiting to hear back from a SE, but in the mean time in case it is glaringly obvious to anyone - what do these vertical beams in our loft support?
Given how close they are to the purlins, we can't tell if they are also propping up the rafters, or more likely holding up our bedroom ceilings below?

A few were taken down by the builders when they replaced the purlin with a steel beam this week, so we are keen to work out what they're for. 
Thanks!

stuart45

Called hangers, used to strengthen the ceiling joists.

Mistral001

Yep they are ceiling hangers.  There is also a row of them behind the ones you have marked.  They are essential for holding the ceiling up.  

stuart45

People often take them out to make room for train sets, storage etc. 
Always worth checking before any timber in the roof space is removed.
The builders are probably going to replace them.

aoleks

As long as that steel beam was installed properly, you should be fine. Those things can take the weight of the entire roof in less than 2 meters span.

stuart45

aoleks said:

As long as that steel beam was installed properly, you should be fine. Those things can take the weight of the entire roof in less than 2 meters span.

The steel purlin supports the rafters, but the hangers help the joists. Without the hangers and a binder the ceiling joists are more likely to deflect.

Lunielumps

Thanks all! 
So if we wanted to create more room in there, what should we do to the loft floor before removing the remaining hangers, to prevent an issue with our bedroom ceilings?

aoleks

stuart45 said:

aoleks said:

As long as that steel beam was installed properly, you should be fine. Those things can take the weight of the entire roof in less than 2 meters span.

The steel purlin supports the rafters, but the hangers help the joists. Without the hangers and a binder the ceiling joists are more likely to deflect.

If there’s a beam holding the joists in place, everything else will be fine.

travis-powers

I’ve only ever worked on one loft conversion but we had to fit steels at eaves level then new joists over old however your engineer will advise.
Whoever fitted them purlins should be ashamed of themselves.

stuart45

aoleks said:

stuart45 said:

aoleks said:

As long as that steel beam was installed properly, you should be fine. Those things can take the weight of the entire roof in less than 2 meters span.

The steel purlin supports the rafters, but the hangers help the joists. Without the hangers and a binder the ceiling joists are more likely to deflect.

If there’s a beam holding the joists in place, everything else will be fine.

The OP said the purlin was replaced with a steel beam  There was no mention of a beam holding the joists.

stuart45

Lunielumps said:

Thanks all! 
So if we wanted to create more room in there, what should we do to the loft floor before removing the remaining hangers, to prevent an issue with our bedroom ceilings?

Your SE should advise you on this. It depends on the size of the ceiling joists and the span.