Need an engineer?

[Peter Gray]

Not strictly a DIY Q. as I'll be getting a builder to do the work, but any views appreciated. I've got an engineer looking at our house next week to specify work on removal of a chimney. We also want to put in a few new (not replacement) windows and move a door. I'm assuming at present that creating a typical 3ft wide window can be done by a competent builder without need for an engineer's advice (and that building control will be happy with that) as long as we ensure that a decent lintel is put in. However, we might also want to widen an existing window so it would be perhaps 2-2.5m wide. So I guess my question is, should I be getting the engineer to specify on the windows too, and if not, at what sort of scale would I need to involve one, or would building control expect one to be used?

We're not planning to use an architect ATM, and are relying on the engineer to specify the significant structural stuff.

Peter

[G&M]

If you've got one of the BCOs I deal with, he'll want all the calculations in triplicate even for a 27" doorway.

That's getting to a serious width and needs proper calculations.

What do architects know about loading ? You are relying on the right guy !

[Hugo Nebula]

On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 20:52:30 +0100, a particular chimpanzee named "G&M" randomly hit the keyboard and produced:

No BCO I know would worry about a simply supported beam for less than a couple of metres. Anything over that, and it may well depend on the BCOs experience, etc. as to whether he's prepared to accept your chosen section without substantiation. It depends more on the distribution of loads over; for example if you have a beam bearing onto the wall immediately above where you want to install the lintel, then calculations will almost certainly be asked for.

[G&M]

calculations

If I give you his name and contact telephone number can you explain this to him. I have had to produce calculations for three doors. One I agree with because there is a purlin above it but the other two are simple walls, one with a couple of joist three layers of brick up. Naylors (the lintel suppliers) couldn't believe it either and did the calculations for me.

None of these were even for new doorways, they were replacing existing doors where the (slowly trotting) doorframes were used as the lintels.

Totally agree. No problem with this. Just wanting common sense on more normal loadings.

[Peter Gray]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I'll ring the BCO tomorrow to sound him out before I see the engineer. The ceilings are pretty high, so there are probably 6-8 courses of brick above the top of any possible lintels and any floor joists, and no beams or RSJs above any of the proposed sites either so hopefully we won't have any problems.

Peter