Home › Universal Beams › 178 x 102 x 19

The standard step up from the 152 x 89, and a common answer for semi-detached knock-throughs and lintel replacement.

178 x 102 x 19 dimensions and weight

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

What is a 178 x 102 x 19 used for?

The 178 x 102 x 19 covers the gap between the small terrace openings that the 152 x 89 handles and the wider spans that need a 203 or 254 section. Published domestic tables commonly show it at around 3.5 metres under normal residential loading, which makes it a frequent specification for knock-throughs in semi-detached houses, where rooms tend to be wider than in a terrace. It is also widely used as a replacement for failed or undersized lintels over wide window and door openings, and for trimming around new stair openings. The extra 26mm of depth over the 152 x 89 buys meaningful capacity for very little extra weight, which is why engineers often move straight to it rather than staying with a heavier 152 section. Bearing and padstone requirements start to matter more at this size, so check what the calculations specify at each end.

Indicative span

Under typical UK domestic loading, published load tables place the 178 x 102 x 19 in the region of 3m to 3.5m. 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 178 x 102 x 19 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 178 x 102 x 19 weighs approximately 115kg. 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: 178x102x19, 178 x 102 x 19 UB, UB 178x102x19, 178×102 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.