9.3 Kitchens and Kitchenettes
Key Takeaways
Kitchens and kitchenettes provided in accessible spaces or rooms must be accessible (IBC 1110.4 in 2021; 1110.5 in 2024).
Pass-through kitchens need 40 inches between opposing base cabinets, counters, appliances or walls and two entries; U-shaped kitchens enclosed on three contiguous sides need 60 inches.
Kitchens with a cooktop or range need at least one accessible work surface 30 inches long, 28 to 34 inches high with knee and toe clearance, located beside the oven as Section 804.5.5 requires.
Cooktop controls may not require reaching across burners, and a cooktop with a forward approach needs knee and toe clearance and an insulated underside.
Combination refrigerator/freezers need at least 50 percent of freezer shelves at 54 inches maximum and a parallel-approach clear floor space offset 24 inches maximum from the appliance centerline.
9.3 Kitchens and Kitchenettes
Kitchens appear on the ICC 21 exam in two settings: commercial and common use kitchens or kitchenettes in accessible spaces (A117.1 Section 804), and kitchens inside Accessible, Type A and Type B units (A117.1 Chapter 11). This section covers the first; Section 11.2 and 11.3 cover the unit kitchens.
Scoping
- IBC 1110.4 (2021) / 1110.5 (2024): Where kitchens and kitchenettes are provided in accessible spaces or rooms, they shall be accessible. The 2024 IBC adds that kitchen and kitchenette sinks may comply with 1110.3 (5 percent of sinks).
- An employee break room kitchenette is a common use space, not an employee work area (A117.1 107.5), so it is covered.
- A commercial food preparation kitchen used only by employees for work is an employee work area, limited to approach, entry and exit plus the items in 1103.2.2.
Clearances (A117.1 804.2)
| Kitchen layout | Clearance between opposing base cabinets, countertops, appliances or walls |
|---|---|
| Pass-through (counters on two opposing sides, or counters opposite a parallel wall) (804.2.1) | 40 in. minimum, and two entries |
| U-shaped (enclosed on three contiguous sides) (804.2.2) | 60 in. minimum, unless it has an island that creates pass-through clearances |
| Spaces without a cooktop or conventional range (804.2.3) | 40 in. minimum |
A galley kitchenette open at both ends is a pass-through kitchen. A galley closed at one end becomes U-shaped and needs 60 inches, enough for a wheelchair turn.
Work Surface (804.3)
At least one accessible work surface 30 in. minimum long, complying with Section 902: forward approach clear floor space, knee and toe clearance, top 28 to 34 in. above the floor. It is located per 804.5.5.2 or 804.5.5.3 (next to the oven). Spaces without a cooktop or conventional range do not need an accessible work surface.
Sink (804.4)
Complies with Section 606: forward approach with knee and toe clearance, 34 in. maximum rim height, insulated pipes. Section 606.2 Exception 1 permits a parallel approach at a kitchen sink in a space where a cooktop or conventional range is not provided. Section 606.2 Exception 5 allows knee and toe clearance at only one bowl of a multibowl sink.
Appliances (804.5)
| Appliance | Requirement |
|---|---|
| All appliances (804.5.1, 804.5.2) | A clear floor space at each appliance; controls comply with 309 (appliance doors and latches exempt from 309.4; bottom-hinged doors in the open position exempt from 309.3) |
| Dishwasher (804.5.3) | Clear floor space adjacent to the dishwasher door; the open door may not obstruct the clear floor space for the dishwasher or an adjacent sink |
| Cooktop (804.5.4) | Parallel or forward approach; a forward approach needs knee and toe clearance and an underside insulated or configured to prevent burns, abrasions or shock; a parallel approach is centered on the appliance; controls may not require reaching across burners |
| Oven (804.5.5) | Clear floor space not obstructed by the open door; side-hinged ovens have the accessible work surface beside the latch side of the door; bottom-hinged ovens have it beside one side of the door; controls not across burners |
| Refrigerator/freezer (804.5.6) | Combination units have at least 50 percent of freezer shelves, including the bottom of the freezer, 54 in. maximum above the floor; parallel-approach clear floor space with its centerline offset 24 in. maximum from the appliance centerline |
Operable parts on appliances otherwise follow the Section 308 reach ranges; a microwave mounted above a cooktop at 66 inches puts its controls out of reach.
Kitchens in Dwelling Units
Kitchens in Accessible units comply with Section 804 through Section 1102.12. Type A units use Section 1103.12 (with a 40-inch clearance and 60-inch U-shaped clearance, a work surface, sink with removable base cabinets permitted, and appliance rules). Type B units use 1104.12: the same 40-inch and 60-inch (U-shaped) clearances, but 30 x 48 inch clear floor spaces, a parallel approach centered on the sink bowl, and a parallel or forward approach at the cooktop, oven and refrigerator. See Chapter 11.
Worked Example
A new office break room has a straight-run kitchenette along one wall with a sink, a microwave on the counter and an under-counter refrigerator, and no cooktop or range. The opposite wall is 38 inches from the counter face.
- The kitchenette is in a common use space and must be accessible.
- Clearance between the counter and the opposing wall must be 40 inches (804.2.3); 38 inches fails.
- No cooktop or range, so an accessible work surface is not required (804.3 Exception) and the sink may have a parallel approach (606.2 Exception 1), but the rim must still be 34 inches maximum.
- Microwave and refrigerator controls must be within reach ranges with a clear floor space at each.
A new office kitchen is enclosed on three contiguous sides and includes a range. What minimum clearance between opposing cabinets, counters, appliances or walls does ICC A117.1 Section 804.2.2 require?
40 inches
48 inches
52 inches
60 inches
In an accessible kitchen, a side-hinged wall oven is provided. Where must the accessible work surface be located under ICC A117.1 Section 804.5.5.2?
Adjacent to the latch side of the oven door
Directly below the oven
Adjacent to the hinge side of the oven door
Anywhere within 10 feet of the oven
What does ICC A117.1 Section 804.5.6 require for a combination refrigerator/freezer in an accessible kitchen?
All freezer shelves at 48 inches maximum and a forward approach
Half the freezer shelves at 54 inches max and a parallel approach offset 24 inches max
A side-by-side model only
At least 25 percent of freezer shelves at 54 inches maximum and a forward approach centered on the door
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.