Expert: Dave Johnson - 11/11/2007

Question
I REFURBISHED AN OLD STORAGE AREA BELOW MY LARGE KITHEN TO BE A WORKOUT ROOM, BUT THE ORIGINAL SUPPORT BEAM WAS BEGINNING TO TURN SLIGHTLY ON THE BLOCK WALLS TO THE OUTSIDE.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO I THRU BOLTED 1/2" OSB TO EACH SIDE OF THE TRIPLE 2" x 10" BEAM AND PUT IN ANOTHER SUPPORT POLE.
NOW THAT WE ARE RE-DOING THE ROOM IN TO A WORK OUT ROOM WITH SAUNA, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET RID OF SOME POLES.
 I HAVE 3 POLES SPANNING THE 22' AREA AND WOULD LIKE TO
REMOVE THE OSB AND  THRU BOLT 2- 12"x 20'
PRE-LAM BEAMS ON EACH SIDE OF THE TRIPLE 2" x 10" EXISTING
BEAM AND ONLY HAVE A 2 DOUBLE 6" X 6" POLE UPRIGHTS ON EACH END OF THE 20' LAMINATED BEAM.  IS THIS A SAFE SPAN AREA WITH NO POLES BETWEEN  

Answer
Hi Matt,
First, what walls are resting on the beam from above?
If there are no bearing walls above it, you will be fine with the 2 glue-lams.
If there are bearing walls (walls supporting a second storey or roof, you may want to consider more strength.
Best of luck, Dave