Do I need an RSJ?

by **deeley_s** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:12 pm

I have an internal wall that sits slap bang in the middle of the joist run across the house. It's just plasterboard and batten - clearly not intended to be structural - but our bath and my kid's metal bed are either side of it. My builder says it isn't structural and can come out, but I'm wondering if an RSJ or a wooden beam might be a good idea because of the load above it. Any views ?

Steve

by **eljaybee** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:55 pm

it all depends upon the size of the joists, their spacing and the distance that they span.

by **LCL** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:52 pm

Following on from eljaybee's comments. You'd need to check the trada span tables for joist sizes as they are no longer in the building regs (Part A 2004). As a rule of thumb the depth of floor joists should be half the span plus 1. A 12' span therefore = 7" deep joists (all on the assumption that joists are 2" wide).

Be careful as stud partitioning can still be structural.

Hope this helps

LCL

by **TheDoctor5** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:39 am

Last year 64% of the questions asked in our forum were answered within our DIY project pages at www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects.htm The project pages are now separated alphabetically and your answers are accompanied by diagrams and the ability to see, and buy, the tools and/or required to complete your project. Use our search box to look for your answer and save a great deal of time and money!