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The heavier 254 x 146, specified where the beam carries an upper floor as well as the wall above.

254 x 146 x 37 dimensions and weight

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

What is a 254 x 146 x 37 used for?

The 254 x 146 x 37 is what the calculations produce when a 5 metre opening is carrying more than just the masonry above it – typically an upper floor, or a roof load transferred down through the structure. Published tables put it in the 4.5 to 5.5 metre range under heavier domestic loading. The flange at 10.9mm is substantially thicker than the 31’s 8.6mm, which is where most of the additional capacity comes from, and it improves stability enough that restraint requirements often relax. It is a common choice for open-plan conversions where an entire ground floor structural wall is removed, and for rear extensions on two-storey properties. At 37 kg per metre the handling considerations are significant: a 5.5 metre length is over 200kg, and getting it through a domestic property to its final position needs planning.

Indicative span

Under typical UK domestic loading, published load tables place the 254 x 146 x 37 in the region of 4.8m to 5.5m. 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 146 x 37 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 146 x 37 weighs approximately 220kg. At that weight the beam needs mechanical offload at the kerb and, in most cases, mechanical assistance to get it into position. 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: 254x146x37, 254 x 146 x 37 UB, UB 254x146x37, 254×146 UB37. 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.