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The heavier of the two 203 x 133 sections, and the usual answer when the 25 fails on deflection.

203 x 133 x 30 dimensions and weight

Approximate total weight by length — this is what determines how the beam is offloaded on site.

What is a 203 x 133 x 30 used for?

The 203 x 133 x 30 is what engineers move to when the 203 x 133 x 25 is close but does not quite pass, most often on deflection rather than strength. The extra 5 kg per metre comes from a thicker web and a noticeably thicker flange at 9.6mm against 7.8mm, and the section is fractionally deeper at 207mm. That last point matters on site more often than people expect: if the design was drawn around a 203mm beam sitting in a tight floor zone, the additional 4mm can be the difference between the beam fitting and needing the pocket cutting deeper. It is a common specification for rear extension openings, bi-fold door heads on smaller openings, and loft conversions carrying both floor and roof loads. Where it in turn runs out, the usual next step is not another 203 but a deeper 254 section.

Indicative span

Under typical UK domestic loading, published load tables place the 203 x 133 x 30 in the region of 4m to 4.8m. That assumes a simply supported beam with an evenly distributed load, an imposed load of around 1.5 kN/m² and a dead load of 0.5–0.8 kN/m².

Grades, lengths and finishes

The 203 x 133 x 30 is normally supplied to BS EN 10025-2 in S275JR or S355JR. S355 is the higher strength grade and is increasingly the default across the supply network; if your calculations specify one grade, tell us, because the two are not interchangeable. Mill certificates can be supplied with the order on request.

Beams are supplied cut to your lengths rather than as standard mill lengths, and we can arrange:

• Cutting to size — supplied ready to install, no cutting on site
• Drilling, notching and holes to your engineer’s details
• Welded cleats, end plates and connections
• Painting and priming, including intumescent coatings
• Galvanising for external or exposed applications

Delivery

A 6m length of 203 x 133 x 30 weighs approximately 180kg. That is beyond safe manual handling, so plan for mechanical offload and a clear route to the opening. We deliver direct to site across London, the South and the Midlands, with HIAB lorry crane offload available on request. If access is restricted — a terraced street, a rear garden, limited headroom — tell us at quote stage rather than on the day, and we’ll plan the delivery around it.

Other sizes in the range

Also searched as: 203x133x30, 203 x 133 x 30 UB, UB 203x133x30, 203×133 UB30. The term “RSJ” is still widely used for universal beams, though strictly it refers to the older rolled steel joist section with tapered flanges.

• All universal beam sizes
• Universal columns (UC) — where the load is vertical rather than spanning
• RSJ beams
• PFC parallel flange channels

Common questions

Dimensional data shown is nominal and for guidance. Span figures are indicative and must not be used in place of structural calculations.