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Depth without width – the lightest 254mm section, for openings where wall thickness is the constraint.

254 x 102 x 22 dimensions and weight

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

What is a 254 x 102 x 22 used for?

The 254 x 102 x 22 is the lightest beam in the 254mm range and exists for a specific problem: you need the span capacity that only comes from depth, but the beam has to fit into a wall that will not take a wide flange. At 102mm across it drops into a standard single-skin or narrow cavity situation where a 146mm wide section simply will not go. The trade is a thin 6.8mm flange and relatively poor lateral stability, so the engineer’s calculations will often require lateral restraint or specify a heavier section in the same serial size. It is commonly used in rear extension openings in older properties with narrow internal walls, and in situations where the beam is being built into masonry that restrains it along its length. Confirm the restraint conditions in your calculations before ordering, because this section is more sensitive to them than most.

Indicative span

Under typical UK domestic loading, published load tables place the 254 x 102 x 22 in the region of 4m to 4.5m. 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 254 x 102 x 22 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 254 x 102 x 22 weighs approximately 130kg. 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: 254x102x22, 254 x 102 x 22 UB, UB 254x102x22, 254×102 RSJ. 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.