If putting in steel beams indoors.Do you have to get an engineer to work out weight distribution.?

Question

I am a young builder working for a small building contractor locally.I have learnt many things over the years & feel it is time to move on, on my own.A mate of mine that I have worked for is moveing soon.He has asked me if i can remove some interior walls.I have suggested to him that he will need a engineer to work out the weight distribution for what size steel we need,to hold the floor up above.I also told him that we need to comply with the building regs.He says, no we dont need any of them and dosent want to.Where do I stand with building regs?Do we need to tell the council & get a builder inspector?Whos responsable?Do we need an engineer?Please help.

Answer 1

yes, you need an engineer. Weightload distributions are a BIG deal. If the span is big enough that you need a steel beam has he considered the changes needed in footings and adjacent structural support?

If you do it without engineering it, and the system fails, and your name can be associated with this modification in any way.... you're screwed because the current owner will come after YOU for a financially remedy. And if somebody gets hurt because of your screwup, what then?

Tell him you won't do it.

Answer 2

Typically, the beam is flush with top of the foundation wall (whether block or concrete) and then a sill bolted down to the foundation. Anchor bolts in the masonry wall, bolts in the steel. Advantages When you specify the steel for the foundation, it is a bit easier to make the steel flush with the top of the wall. Also there is an easy nailing surface with a plate on the steel. Yet another reason is wood will slowly compress over the years. The sill will distribute it out. And don't make it pressure treated. Answer above me is right. As far as sizing the steel, call an engineer. But the contractor that sets the steel may be able size it, too.

Answer 3

Well let me just say that you could get killed or kill some one else if this support beam ever failed. and that would be your problem if you there one that installed it. as far as engineer's well it may well depend on the area your in rather or not you need one or not. but from what i have understood here you want start working on your own. son i suggest if you cant answer this question for your self you best stick with some experinced folks till you can.

supporting an over head structure not a hard job. but doing it right requires a good understanding of what your doing. if your boss or whom ever it is tells you to do some thing you dont under stand or think is right simply refuse to do it.

like i said once you done what ever you did you are responsible for it as long as it last.

Answer 4

there's many factors to think about.. everyone else is right... you do need an engineer to at least give you a beam size to work with. where is the property located??? some counties (in the states) dont require any information, others go completely overboard with regs. If he's taking out walls that aren't bearing walls, then he should be okay. but, if it's bearing walls, then yes, he needs to have an engineer look at it, or have the county come out and look at it for him. In the states, currently, we are working with the UBC or the IRC depending on where the property is. Regardless of what codes you use, you still need an engineer to decypher the codes for you and to tell you what to do.

good luck, hope your friend's house doesn't fall down......

Answer 5

Your responsibilty and you could be fined big bucks. It has happened with a builder friend of mine. Don't do the job without more knowledge of the local rules. Find a local civil engineer (yellow pages) and ask him or go to the council planning dept. You can make a house so unstable by knocking out lots of walls - its not just the weight from above. UK answer

Answer 6

I don't know the regulations where you are, but where ever you are, you could lose your business license if there's a problem, so do your homework. I would think that you need to get an engineer, but maybe not.

Where I live the garbage men get a bonus from the city if they turn in a project that doesn't have its permit. We were having a new roof put on a rental house, the contractor left his crew to
start removing the old roofing, while he went to get the permit. He got fined. I think he had to pay double the permit fees.

It also depends on the punishment if you are caught.

Answer 7

Why a steel beam? Use a PSL or glu'lam beam. Much cheaper and you can get the span specs from your local lumber yard. You will also get your load limits. Be careful with this "friend" of yours. Don't do something you aren't comfortable with.
I also recommend starting a deck repair, handyman, window replacement business before you blast off on your own. I can tell your "full" knowledge of construction is not quite there yet.

Good Luck........

Answer 8

If he is not prepared to call in a council engineer to confirm the alterations are legal, and to work out supporting off, and loading for beam, then walk away.

Answer 9

if you are in the UK you definatly need to inform the building inspector as you are lible for any damage to his house and also any ajpining property
To do this job you have to suport the upper floors with acro,props
if it is a 2 story terraced house you will need at least a 6x4 rsj
sorry tell your friend that UNDER NO WAY WILL YOU DO IT UNLESS ITS UNDER THE BUILDING INSPECTOR

Answer 10

be very careful here are you taking walls out on the ground floor ? if so ..are there walls above .. are they a masonry type wall or astud wall ....which way do the joist run upstairs all factors are relevant and you really need to know what you are doing if you don't know don't do it ..its not worth it ..and yes you must inform building control .. they will give you help and guidance ..and will allow you to do it under a building notice ..whatever you are responsible for your actions