Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Standard reinforced precast concrete lintel
Supplier reference for standard reinforced precast concrete lintels for masonry facade remediation on Class 2 strata buildings. Covers Hume Concrete, BGC Concrete, and local precast manufacturers — suitable for all exposure zones when cover is correctly specified to AS 3600. Structural engineer design and certification is mandatory for all lintel replacements. Cannot be cut to length on site.
What is a standard reinforced precast concrete lintel?
A standard reinforced precast concrete lintel is a factory-manufactured structural element using deformed steel bar reinforcement with specified concrete cover, used to carry masonry load above window, door, and opening in Class 2 strata building facades. Unlike steel lintels, concrete lintels are thermally compatible with masonry, can be rendered for heritage facades, and are suitable for all exposure classifications when cover is correctly specified to AS 3600. National manufacturers Hume Concrete and BGC Concrete supply stock sections for common opening spans.
Supplier Reference
3 suppliers — standard reinforced precast concrete lintels — scroll to view all
Hume Concrete — Standard Precast Reinforced Concrete Lintels
Reinforced precast concrete lintel — Hume Concrete — national — stock sizes — AS 3600
System Description
Hume Concrete is a national precast concrete manufacturer supplying standard reinforced precast concrete lintels for masonry opening replacement on Class 2 strata buildings. Hume's stock lintel range covers the most common opening spans and loads — available with short lead times from distribution centres in most major Australian cities. The standard range uses deformed steel bar reinforcement with concrete cover specified to the AS 3600 durability class for the exposure classification. Stock sections cannot be cut to length on site — the bearing-to-bearing span must be confirmed before ordering. Structural engineer specification and certification is mandatory for all lintel replacements — Hume can provide section dimensions and load data to the engineer. Precast lintels are significantly heavier than steel lintels of the same span — mechanical handling is required for all but the shortest sections.
Technical Properties
- National distribution from Hume Concrete distribution centres — consistent availability for multi-state remediation programmes
- Stock sizes cover common opening spans and loads — short lead times for standard sections from existing inventory
- No corrosion risk in the lintel body when cover is correctly specified — concrete protects reinforcement from the environment
Limitations
- Cannot be cut to length on site — bearing-to-bearing span must be measured and confirmed before ordering; incorrect length requires a full replacement order
- Significantly heavier than steel lintels — mechanical lifting is required; confirm crane or hoist access before ordering
- Reinforcement cover must be correctly specified for the exposure class — coastal buildings require increased cover per AS 3600 Table 4.3
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
BGC Concrete — Precast Concrete Lintels
Reinforced precast concrete lintel — BGC Concrete — WA / national — standard range — AS 3600
System Description
BGC Concrete is a major precast concrete manufacturer with strong distribution in Western Australia and national supply capability. BGC's standard precast concrete lintel range covers the most common masonry opening spans for Class 2 strata buildings — suitable for residential and commercial facade remediation works. Standard sections use deformed steel bar reinforcement with concrete cover designed to the AS 3600 durability class for the exposure environment. WA coastal buildings are well within BGC's primary distribution network. Structural engineer specification is mandatory. Cannot be cut on site — bearing-to-bearing span must be confirmed before ordering.
Technical Properties
- Strong WA distribution network — preferred precast lintel supplier for Perth and WA coastal remediation programmes
- Standard range covers most common Class 2 strata building opening spans and loads
- No corrosion risk when cover is correctly specified to AS 3600 for the exposure classification
Limitations
- Cannot be cut to length on site — exact span must be confirmed before ordering
- Mechanical lifting required — concrete lintels are significantly heavier than steel lintels of the same span
- Reinforcement cover must meet AS 3600 Table 4.3 for the exposure class — coastal and marine require higher cover than inland
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Local Precast Manufacturers — Custom Precast Lintels to Opening Schedule
Custom precast concrete lintel — local manufacturer — engineer's opening schedule — AS 3600
System Description
Local precast concrete manufacturers supply custom precast lintels to the structural engineer's opening schedule — each lintel is manufactured to the exact bearing-to-bearing span, section dimensions, reinforcement layout, and cover specified by the engineer for each specific opening. This route is used for non-standard opening spans, unusual loading, or where the stock range of national suppliers does not cover the required section. The engineer must provide a complete opening schedule with bearing-to-bearing spans, section depths, reinforcement specifications, and cover requirements for each lintel. Allow 2–6 weeks lead time for custom manufacture. Inspect all lintels on delivery for dimensional conformance, cracks, and reinforcement corrosion staining before accepting.
Technical Properties
- Fully tailored to the project opening schedule — each lintel manufactured to the exact span and section specified by the engineer
- Engineer controls reinforcement cover, concrete grade, and mix design — optimised for the project's exposure classification
- Suitable for all exposure environments when correctly designed — coastal, inland, and marine applications
Limitations
- 2–6 week lead time for custom manufacture — programme must allow for manufacturing time before delivery
- No stock sections — every lintel must be ordered individually from the opening schedule; errors in the schedule cause delays
- Variable quality control compared to national manufacturers — inspect every lintel on delivery for cracks and dimensional conformance
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Supplier Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of standard reinforced precast concrete lintel suppliers. Confirm all selections against the structural engineer's design before ordering.
| Supplier | Product | Type | Spans | Distribution | Key feature | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hume Concrete | Standard precast lintel | Reinforced bar | Stock — common spans | National | Short lead time from stock | Standard openings — national supply |
| BGC Concrete | Standard precast lintel | Reinforced bar | Stock — common spans | WA / national | Strong WA distribution | WA and national standard openings |
| Local precast manufacturers | Custom precast lintel | Custom reinforced | Any — from schedule | Local | Fully custom to engineer's spec | Non-standard openings and spans |
Do not confuse standard reinforced precast with:
- Prestressed precast lintel — higher span capacity than reinforced at the same section depth — use for longer spans or high loads where reinforced section would require a depth impractical for the opening geometry
- Engineer-designed precast or in-situ lintel — custom first-principles design for non-standard openings, unusual loading, or heritage facades requiring a specific section profile
- Steel lintels (stainless, duplex, or galvanised) — thinner section profile than concrete, no thermal mass, but lighter and easier to handle; applicable where concrete is not preferred
- Masonry arch — an alternative to lintel for heritage openings; structural engineer must confirm arch adequacy before selecting over lintel replacement
Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. Precast concrete lintel design, span, reinforcement, cover, and durability class must be specified and certified by a structural engineer against project-specific conditions per AS 3600 and AS 3700.