Range Installation

[ndaniels]

Have you come across range installation instructions that call for cabinets to the side of the range to be a minimum of 18" above counter tops. If the cabinets are lower what do you have the contractor do?

 

[mark handler]

If you are installing some high temperature units the clearances to combustibles may require 42" in an arch from the cooktop sureface

 

[ndaniels]

If it is just a typical range with the installation instructions calling for cabinets to the side to be higher is there anything you can do aside from moving them?

 

[mark handler]

If it is just a typical range with the installation instructions calling for cabinets to the side to be higher is there anything you can do aside from moving them?

 

[ICE]

I will admit that I have never read installation instructions for a range. I also don't recall a case where the range looked like it could burn down the house.

Obviously this is something to be aware of so thanks for asking the question.

How far horizontally is the 18" vertical clearance required?

 

[ICE]

I will admit that I have never read installation instructions for a range. I also don't recall a case where the range looked like it could burn down the house.

Obviously this is something to be aware of so thanks for asking the question.

How far horizontally is the 18" vertical clearance required?

 

[ndaniels]

If i remember from the installation instructions 3" from each side

 

[north star]

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ndaniels,

Typically you will follow the manufacturer's installation instructions

of your appliance.......Nothing in the IRC for side clearances.

FWIW, ...what code / standards are you referencing ?



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[ndaniels]

http://outlet.whirlpool.com/digitalassets/MET8775XS/Installation%20Instruction_EN.pdf

Manufacturers installation instructions page 3 calls for it but cabinets to the side are under 18". I was wondering if any one else had noticed or if it was an issue

 

[north star]

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ndaniels,

Since the codes are silent on this issue and you have a specific

manufacturer's requirement, then the cabinets would be required

to be a minimum of 24" above the countertop surfaces [ in your

application ].......Getting that 24" is going to be a real challenge

for you, since no one [ typically ] is going to want to move

any cabinets.

Have you contacted the BO for their input on this issue, or

possibly have another appliance brand with an 18" clearance ?



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[ndaniels]

Note A will allow the cabinets to the side of the range to be 18"... according to the BO they must be a minimum 18" per manufacturer so it looks like they will be moved. Would it be allowed to use the exceptions for above range to reduce this clearance. I would guess not since there is nothing directly addressing the cabinets to the sides. Thanks for the info every one.

 

[Msradell]

Looking at the drawings provided by Whirlpool for the dimensions things get even more confusing. It shows the 18 inch dimension from countertop to bottom of the top cabinets but doesn't give a dimension how far to each side this should be. You could easily assume that this was a requirement for the entire kitchen which obviously Whirlpool wouldn't care about it anyway. This makes it seem like more of a recommendation and providing information that this is the normal distance.

Just for the fun of it I went to the GE website and pulled up the installation instructions for one of their freestanding stoves. It shows the dimension from countertop to the bottom of the top cabinets to be 15 inches minimum. A significant difference from the whirlpool dimension for this measurement. I'm not sure if this is something that whirlpool has changed or if they have always specify the 18 inches and nobody abides by it.

After thinking about little more I went to the website for Blue Star Ranges which are a high-end gas culinary range. They show the dimension from countertop to bottom of upper cabinets as 18 inches minimum. It looks like this is something that is very manufacturer dependent.

 

[Francis Vineyard]

What if they fill the gap with a piece of wood?

"The minimum horizontal clearance from the sides and back of the cooktop to the adjacent vertical combustible

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walls is 1 inch on sides and 2 inches on back."