Corrosion protection to steel below ground

Can anyone provide any recommendations for an alternative corrosion protection to a steel beam placed below ground (other than traditional concrete surround).

I am installing a steel 'picture frame' to support an external load bearing wall and I would rather not have to concrete surround the bottom beam, which will run along the top of the remaining brickwork below FFL.

I will obviosly dry pack under the beam to ensure load transfer to the below brickwork, however is it acceptable to provide a paint system (primer + MIO + RIW LAC or similar??)

I would appreciate advice.

Surely this is detailed on the SE drawings?

I'd recommend you try Lloyd at Trident Coatings, he's an expert in the field of steel corrosion protection and can recommend the right coating to use.
www.trident-coatings.co.uk

Why don't you want it encased in concrete?

Getting it hot dip galvanised seems like the best option to me.

I would use a zinch phosphate epoxy primer, an MIO epoxy barrier coat, and a 2-pack polyurethane top coat. The steel has to be perfect for the zinc phosphate to work properly, if it has sat outside for a few days it will need blast cleaning.

firwood paints are great and good people to deal with. Also Sigma make excellent paints.