Amerimix
EZ Scaffold Corp.
EZG Manufacturing
Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Loot
Non-Stop Scaffolding
PROSOCO, Inc.
SOLA/Keson
SPEC MIX LLC
Stabila
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide

Veneer Lintels, Shelf Angles

Function & Code Requirements

Lintels provide support of brickwork over masonry openings and are supported by bearing on masonry at the jambs on either side of the opening. Shelf angles are typically installed at each floor and support the weight of the brickwork for that story. As per 6.2.2.3.1 of the 2006 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures ( reported by the Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) structures with a maximum veneer height of 30 ft from foundation to top of wall and 38 ft from foundation to top of gable can have their entire brick veneer supported directly on a foundation wall, footing or non-combustible support without shelf angles. Brick above these limits must be supported by shelf angles at each floor.

Veneer Lintels

Sizing

Lintels and shelf angles must be sized by an engineer to meet the strength requirements of the steel design code. Lintels and shelf angles are also sized to be very stiff to minimize masonry cracks. Design codes call for a maximum deflection between support points of L/600 or 0.3" and rotation of less than 1/16". The horizontal leg of all angles should be sized to support a minimum of 2/3 the thickness of the veneer wythe.

Corrosion Protection

For severe climates and exposures, consideration should be given to the use of galvanized or stainless steel shelf angles. At a minimum, steel angles should be shop primed with a corrosion inhibitive coating and repainted if the steel will be welded. Even where these materials are used, continuous flashing should be installed to cover the angle.

Anchorage to Backup

Lipping Brick at Shelf Angles

In order to conceal the front edge of the steel lintel, a common practice is to lip the brick so that the front face extends over the steel angle.

Companies Offering Lintels

Company City State
MCAA Member Hohmann and Barnard, Inc. Hauppauge NY
MCAA Member Espinoza Stone, Inc. Jarrell TX
MCAA Member Indiana Limestone Fabricators Spencer IN
MCAA Member ACME BRICK COMPANY FORT WORTH TX
MCAA Member Ernest Maier, Inc. Bladensburg MD
MCAA Member Mutual Materials Company Bellevue WA
MCAA Member South Atlantic Masonry Products Chattanooga TN
MCAA Member York Building Products Co., Inc. York PA
MCAA Member Acme Brick Company Euless TX
MCAA Member Block-Lite Co. Inc. Flagstaff AZ
MCAA Member Continental Cut Stone Florence TX
MCAA Member ORCO Block & Hardscape Stanton CA
MCAA Member Thompson Building Materials, Inc. San Diego CA
MCAA Member Tucker-Kirby Co. Charlotte NC

Working together to train our future workforce.”

Curtis Hoover
Center of Applied Technology - North
MCAA member since 1999

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