Lintels/Steels…corner or straight?

[Tingly]

Good Morning
Having an external door changed from timber to upvc.

Am using FENSA approved installers who I have used before.
My question is re the lintel/steel which needs to be put above the door.
In the situation shown below would a straight one suffice, or does it need to be a corner one?

Thankyou in anticipation

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

A straight one.

 

[Tingly]

Thanks Freddie. Any particular reason?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I think it's more relevant you're asking why you think some corner lintel might be required?

 

[Tingly]

Hi Freddie, of course! When the first person came to look at it they said a corner one (presumably because of the fitting, or maybe the weight of the adjacent building pulling?). The second surveyor said a straight one. So basically a discrepancy in ideas.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Well your first surveyor is wrong/misguided.

 

[^woody^]

FENSA or any approval scheme is for the frames only and does not include any structural or alteration work. If that's a new lintel as the frame is currently supporting the wall above, then it should require building regulation approval - which is a separate thing.

The issue with that situation is that standard lintels are not designed for that type of installation. Lintels are designed (and approved) for installation within a wall (in line with it) not where two walls meet at right angles. Normally, a standard lintel will be fine, but you should get confirmation from the manufacturer that it will be suitable for that type of installation - and if you apply for building regulations the inspector may require such confirmation.

I can see why a person may have suggested a corner lintel, based on the above, but I am not sure a corner lintel is actually feasible in this case - it's certainly not required.

 

[Tingly]

Hi Woody, Thanks for that, some good information there.
I think the surveyor had intended to put a flat steel across.
There is a catnic lintel on the inside of the door,
Interestingly when we had an installation years ago a steel was put in and no one mention building regs.
Is it a total necessity even for a steel?
As i write this, i think there have been quite a few people in our village had this done, but with no regs applied for?

 

[^woody^]

A good installer would have told you about this, and then you at least get options.

Is there definitely not a lintel on the external leaf? A Catnic internally would normally be one piece to the external too, or are you using "Catnic" as a generic term for a lintel? That looks like an extension around that door, not original. If so, there may be a lintel on the external already. But also, it looks like the extension is not bonded into the main house and if so, is at a greater risk and more important that its supported properly.

Removing the existing support (door frame) and replacing with a different type (lintel) is a building regs matter. This is a minor thing, and many people don't bother, but the idea is that someone does not just remove the frame, fit an unsuitable replacement frame and then the wall above it crack and drop.

If there is confidence that the installer knows what they are doing and will do a proper job then yes people just go ahead and most time everything is fine. But getting the different advice on lintels, not being told about building regulations requirement and posting here, would imply otherwise.

A shrewd surveyor would pick up lack of lintel or lack of regulations approval on a sale survey.

 

[Tingly]

Hi Woody.
Thankyou so much for all this.
I remember seeing ‘catnic’ on the lintel, before it was covered up with fire proof stuff.
You are correct abut the extension not being tied in.
The whole of the extension (which is a garage with a bathroom above) was new .
I have attached a photo of the lintel and also the view from underneath the door
Please ignore the wiring its the alarm being removed ready for the installation.
I do think the installer knows, but I am cautious by nature, cant help it!