Universal Columns - H Beams - Structural Steel Columns

Material to EN 10025-2:2004 Dimensions and properties to BS4-1:2005

Universal Columns (UC) are vertical load-bearing steel sections engineered for exceptional compressive strength and stability. Distinguished by their wide H-shaped profile (often referred to as Wide Flange Columns or H-Beams), these sections are the fundamental support for columns and critical structural elements. Universal columns are similar in shape to UBs but are generally more robust and have a thicker centre, or "web" .Their design ensures reliable support for both primary and secondary structural applications in large-scale commercial and industrial builds.

Primary Applications & Use Cases:

Universal Columns are used in the vertical foundation for multi-storey commercial and residential frameworks.
They are also ssential for warehouses, factories, and mezzanine floor supports to ensure safe load transfer to foundations.
For Civil Engineering they are used for vertical columns supporting bridge decks, spans, and infrastructure retrofitting.

Universal Columns - H Beams - Structural Steel Columns
 
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Universal Column Sizes & Weights

Size (mm) Kg/m

Depth mm

(h)

Width mm

(b)

Web mm

(s)

Flange mm

(t)

Root Radius

mm (r)

Depth between

fillets mm (d)
152 x 152 x 23 23.0 152.4 152.2 5.8 6.8 7.6 123.6
152 x 152 x 30 30.0 157.6 152.9 6.5 9.4 7.6 123.6
152 x 152 x 37 37.0 161.8 154.4 8.0 11.5 7.6 123.6
203 x 203 x 46 46.1 203.2 203.6 7.2 11.0 10.2 160.8
203 x 203 x 52 52.0 206.2 204.3 7.9 12.5 10.2 160.8
203 x 203 x 60 60.0 209.6 205.8 9.4 14.2 10.2 160.8
203 x 203 x 71 71.0 215.8 206.4 10.0 17.3 10.2 160.8
203 x 203 x 86 86.1 222.2 209.1 12.7 20.5 10.2 160.8
254 x 254 x 73 73.1 254.1 254.6 8.6 14.2 12.7 200.3
254 x 254 x 89 88.9 260.3 256.3 10.3 17.3 12.7 200.3
254 x 254 x 107 107.1 266.7 258.8 12.8 20.5 12.7 200.3
254 x 254 x 132 132.0 276.3 261.3 15.3 25.3 12.7 200.3
254 x 254 x 167 167.1 289.1 265.2 19.2 31.7 12.7 200.3
305 x 305 x 97 96.9 307.9 305.3 9.9 15.4 15.2 246.7
305 x 305 x 118 117.9 314.5 307.4 12.0 18.7 15.2 246.7
305 x 305 x 137 136.9 320.5 309.2 13.8 21.7 15.2 246.7
305 x 305 x 158 158.1 327.1 311.2 15.8 25.0 15.2 246.7
305 x 305 x 198 198.1 339.9 314.5 19.1 31.4 15.2 246.7
305 x 305 x 240 240.0 352.5 318.4 23.0 37.7 15.2 246.7
305 x 305 x 283 282.9 365.3 322.2 26.8 44.1 15.2 246.7
356 x 368 x 129 129.0 355.6 368.6 10.4 17.5 15.2 290.2
356 x 368 x 153 152.9 362.0 370.5 12.3 20.7 15.2 290.2
356 x 368 x 177 177.0 368.2 372.6 14.4 23.8 15.2 290.2
356 x 368 x 202 201.9 374.6 374.7 16.5 27.0 15.2 290.2
356 x 406 x 235 235.1 381.0 394.8 18.4 30.2 15.2 290.2
356 x 406 x 287 287.1 393.6 399.0 22.6 36.5 15.2 290.2
356 x 406 x 340 339.9 406.4 403.0 26.6 42.9 15.2 290.2
356 x 406 x 393 393.0 419.0 407.0 30.6 49.2 15.2 290.2
356 x 406 x 467 467.0 436.6 412.2 35.8 58.0 15.2 290.2
356 x 406 x 551 551.0 455.6 418.5 42.1 67.5 15.2 290.2
356 x 406 x 634 633.9 474.6 424.0 47.6 77.0 15.2 290.2
The Barrett Advantage: Logistical & Technical Expertise

We supply Universal Columns in S275JR and S355JR grades, manufactured to BS EN 10025 standards with full mill test certification. Barrett Steel’s specialist processing capabilities, including plasma coping, precision drilling for bolted connections, and mitre and square cutting, allow our columns to arrive on-site ready for immediate installation. With 25+ depots nationwide, we maintain permanent stocks of primed columns for rapid delivery across the UK and Ireland.

To order Universal Columns, use find a depot button below, type in your postcode and contact your local depot directly.

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Expert FAQs

General Facts
Every beam is supplied with a Mill Test Certificate (MTC) and is 100% UKCA/CE compliant.
The final number in a beam specification (for example, 203 x 133 x 25 UB) represents the weight of the section in kilograms per linear metre. While the first two numbers give you the nominal depth and width of the beam in millimetres, this third figure is essential for structural engineering and site logistics. Knowing the kg/m allows your team to accurately calculate:
  • Total Structural Load: The "dead weight" the foundations and supporting columns must carry.
  • Crane & Lifting Capacity: Ensuring on-site plant machinery is safely rated for the lift. 
Selection is dependent on load requirements, total column height, and the specific structural application.
Universal columns have a wide H-shaped profile and more robust and thicker centre- designed specifically for vertical compressive strength and stability.
Yes, they are the standard for primary building supports in commercial and residential towers.
Specific to Barrett Steel
We are accredited to Execution Class 4 (EXC4), qualifying us for stadiums and bridges.
We provide automated plasma coping, precision drilling, and exact cut-to-length services. Check out our General Steel Processing capabilities here. 
Because we handle all processing in-house—including CNC drilling and plasma coping—we can often deliver installation-ready components within days. Our local depot network ensures that "Value Added" doesn't mean "Added Delay."
Yes, Bring a Suitable Vehicle!

Suitable Vehicles for collections are :
  • Curtain Sided Vehicles,
  • Hiab Vehicles
  • and any open topped vehicle such as a Flat Bed.

ALL vehicles must have a minimum bed length of 4m, be rated for the weight and dimensions of your order Equipped with appropriate load space Fitted with approved lashing or strapping points In a safe, roadworthy condition
We do not permit collections for items over 25kg in: Cars, Vans, estate vehicles, or SUVs,  makeshift trailers or modified vehicles, Pickups without high sides or proper strapping systems Vehicles with visible defects
We cater to everyone—from national Tier 1 contractors to local independent builders. 
We stock columns in S275JR and S355JR grades with full traceability.
Yes, we offer precision drilling and plasma profiling for immediate on-site assembly.
With 25+ depots across the UK and Ireland our dedicated fleet ensure nationwide delivery to any site.
Every column is supplied with a full mill test certificate confirming compliance with BS EN 10025. Check out Barrett Steels Quality management page to find out more. 
We provide full traceable certification and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for our steel. Using 100% recyclable UK steel and local transport depots significantly reduces "transport carbon," helping your project achieve its sustainability targets.
We maintain a permanent stock of shot-blasted and primed beams across our 25+ depots. For standard sizes, we can often offer next-day delivery via our own fleet.