(1950’s) RSJ the wrong way around

[NathanClancy]

I’ve recently bought a terraced house and found out it used to have a double doorway between the front and back room. Cut a hole in the plaster to expose above the doorway to check if it’s suitable for restoring.

The doorway has been breeze blocked up, the casing is still there and it seems there is a RSJ that runs wider than the doorway width but the RSJ is fitted the wrong way round (image attached) by the looks of it.

The wall is single skin brick, the wall above seems to be supported by whatever is in this bulk head (image attached) in the back room.

Does anyone know what’s going on here? Can I smash the breeze block through and restore the double doorway or does the RSJ need altering.

Thanks!

 

[Deluks]

Weird one. What's the span?

 

[NathanClancy]

It’s a double doorway width so around 160cm. The RSJ has at least 30cm bearing on either side too without taking the plaster off.