Do I Need Building Control Approval to Replace a Lintel?

A lintel is an essential horizontal loadbearing item, and as such, will require sign off from your local UK Building Control department. It’s advisable to notify the local office as soon as you are aware of the need to replace a lintel that may have failed.

Lintel installation is covered by Part A of the UK Building Regulations. These deal with structural norms, and have been developed over time. This means that the Victorian era lintel that requires replacement in your period terrace, may not comply with modern standards.

How Do I Get the Right Lintel for the Job?

You could use a structural engineer to specify a lintel. Building Control will want to see that the loadings have been worked out, especially in the case of a lintel failure. The inspecting officer will need assurance that the work is compliant with Part A of the UK Building Regulations.

An engineer, or surveyor can specify the loadings required, but you may have the choice of whether to use steel, or pre-stressed concrete.

Lintel suppliers can recommend which lintel to use, based upon the information you are able to give them.

Fensa registered window and door fitting companies are often self-certifying, and can be contracted to install lintels as part of their service. However, this isn't a service we can directly recommend, and it is always good practice to check their credentials when enquiring.

Can Building Control Tell Me Which Lintel I Should Use?

Building control is there to regulate construction work in the local area, and while their inspectors are usually trained construction professionals, they are not allowed to give direct advice. 

Building control employees are required to have a good general knowledge of building methods and the regulations governing such activity.

It is the homeowner, or builder’s responsibility to ensure the correct calculations have been made and that the lintel to be installed is the right one for the job.

Can I Fit Any Lintel I Want?

Most of the time it will be a question of replacing like for like with lintels. In the case of lintel failure it may be sensible to upgrade the new lintel’s bearing capacity, but it is not always necessary.

If you live in a conservation area, or in a grade one, or grade two listed building, you may find that your options are rather more limited. In this case, it’s usually a good idea to engage a local building surveyor with particular knowledge of the area, and the lintel approval rules to be followed.

In some cases the work may require planning permission. If you are in any doubt, always consult with your local planning office before you start any work yourself, or engage a contractor.

Can I Fit a Lintel Myself?

Yes, you can. You don’t need any formal license or training to carry out lintel replacement work. Building Control will still need to see that the lintel is compliant, and that the installation has been carried out to the UK regulations.

Remember to prop the area above the lintel properly to ensure safe working and to prevent further collapse, or other structural issues.

 

Lintel Replacement Checklist

Before you start (information to gather)

• Opening width (mm) and wall thickness/leaf construction (e.g., 102.5 mm brick outer, 100 mm cavity, 100 mm block inner).
• Cavity width (mm) and whether the wall is cavity or solid.
• Masonry type and compressive strength class (if known).
• Supported loads above the opening (number of storeys, floor type, roof type, point loads from beams/trusses, masonry height above).
• Any concentrated loads (e.g., joist ends, beam bearings, heavy facades).
• Exposure conditions (e.g., coastal/marine, aggressive environments).
• Fire resistance needs for the opening (adjoining escape routes, garages, etc.).
• Thermal/condensation considerations (cold bridge risk, insulation detail).
• Whether the property is listed or in a conservation area (may trigger extra consent).
• Access/temporary works constraints (room to prop, internal vs external access).

Design/specification (what Building Control/engineer will want to see)

• Structural calculations or manufacturer selection that confirms:
  • Lintel span and load capacity for the actual loading scenario.
  • Minimum end bearing and bearing material (padstone or sound masonry) per manufacturer guidance.
  • Deflection and rotation limits within acceptable criteria.
• Product specification:
  • Lintel type (e.g., cavity steel, box, channel, concrete) and protective finish (galv/stainless as appropriate).
  • Any required integral insulation/thermal break elements (especially for cavity lintels).
• Damp protection detail:
  • DPC/cavity tray over lintel with formed stop-ends and weep vents at manufacturer spacing.
  • Clear cavity and correct tray fall to external weeps.
• Lateral restraint and ties:
  • Tie arrangement across the opening, lintel restraint to inner leaf (where required), and any straps/bracing noted on drawings.
• Fire and thermal compliance:
  • Confirm fire rating (if required by location/use).
  • Confirm Part L thermal detailing at the head (avoid cold bridges).

Temporary works (safe installation)

• Method for propping (e.g., needle props/strongboys, spacing, and sequencing).
• Checks on stability during removal of the old lintel.
• Exclusion zone and safe working measures.

Installation checks (on the day)

• Bearings: clean, level, and full contact on suitable material; bearing length meets the specified requirement (often around 150 mm on each end for masonry openings, but always follow the manufacturer/engineer requirement).
• Lintel level and plumb; correct orientation (tags/markings facing as specified).
• Mortar class and packing/shimming per manufacturer instructions (no point-loading).
• DPC/cavity tray installed with stop-ends and weep vents; cavity kept clear of debris.
• Maintain required masonry course heights above the lintel before loading (follow manufacturer cure/load guidance).
• Re-fix or provide ties/restraint members as designed.
• Corrosion protection undamaged (touch-up per manufacturer if required).

Close-out / for Building Control sign-off

• Keep a copy of structural calculations or manufacturer load tables used.
• Product datasheet and installation instructions (as-built model ref).
• Photos of bearings, DPC/cavity tray, weeps, and temporary works sequence.
• Any variations from design noted and agreed by the designer/inspector.

 

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