Home › Universal Beams › 254 x 102 x 28

The heaviest narrow-flange 254, with a 10mm flange that makes it far more stable than the 22.

254 x 102 x 28 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 28 used for?

The 254 x 102 x 28 is the top of the narrow 254 series and the one to reach for when the opening genuinely needs a 254mm depth, the wall will not take a wider section, and the lighter members in the series fail on stability rather than bending. Its 10mm flange is nearly 50 per cent thicker than the 6.8mm on the 22, which transforms its resistance to lateral torsional buckling, and the section runs slightly deeper again at 260mm. It appears in rear extension openings, structural openings in narrow party and spine walls, and situations where a wider beam would need the wall rebuilding around it. If your calculations show even this section failing, the choice is usually between accepting a wider 254 x 146 and reforming the bearing, or moving up to a 305mm section.

Indicative span

Under typical UK domestic loading, published load tables place the 254 x 102 x 28 in the region of 4.4m to 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 28 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 28 weighs approximately 170kg. 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: 254x102x28, 254 x 102 x 28 UB, UB 254x102x28. 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.