PLAN YOUR KITCHEN
Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards
The National Kitchen & Bath Association developed the Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards to provide designers with good planning practices that consider the needs of a range of users. The code references for the Kitchen Planning Guidelines are based on the analysis of the 2015 International Residential Code® (IRC®) and the International Plumbing Code®.
DISTANCE BETWEEN WORK CENTERS
Recommended: In a kitchen with three work centers, *the sum of the three traveled less distances should total no more than 26′, with no single leg of the triangle measuring less than 4′ or more than 9′.
When the kitchen plan includes more than three primary / work centers, each additional travel distance to another appliance / work center should measure no less than 4′ o more than 9′. Each leg is measured from the center – front of the appliance / sink. no work triangle leg intersects an island / peninsula or other obstacle by more than 12″.
WORK TRIANGLE TRAFFIC
Recommended:
No major traffic patterns should cross through the basic work triangle.
Code Requirement:
State or local codes may apply.
Access Standard
Recommended:
Kitchen guideline recommendation meets Access Standard.
WALKWAY
Recommended:
The width of a walkway should be at least 36″.
Code Requirement:
State or local codes must apply.
Access Standard
Recommended: If two walkways are perpendicular to each other, one walkway should be at least 42″ wided.
CORNER CABINET STORAGE
Recommended:
At least one corner cabinet should include a functional storage device. This guideline does not apply if there are no cabinets located in corners.
Code Requirement:
State or local codes must apply.
Access Standard:
Recommended: Kitchen guideline recommendation meets Access Standard.
OVEN LANDING AREA
Recommended:
Include at least a 15″ landing area next to or above the oven. At least a 15″ landing area that is not more than 48″ across from the oven is acceptable if the appliance does not open into a walkway.
Code Requirement:
State or local codes must apply.
COMBINING LANDING AREAS
Recommended:
If two landing areas are adjacent to one another, determine a new minimum for the two adjoining spaces by taking the longer of the two landign area requirements and adding 12″.
Code Requirement:
State or local codes must apply.