Kitchen Planning Guideline 18—Cooking Surface Clearance
Recommended: Allow 24 inches of clearance between the cooking surface and a protected noncombustible surface above it.
Code Requirement:

• At least 30 inches of clearance is required between the cooking surface and an unprotected/combustible surface above it.
• If a microwave hood combination is used above the cooking surface, then the manufacturer’s specifications should be followed.

Kitchen Planning Guideline 19—Cooking Surface Ventilation
Recommended: Provide a correctly sized, ducted ventilation system for all cooking surface appliances. The recommended minimum is 150 CFM.

Code Requirement:

• Manufacturers’ specifications must be followed.
• The minimum required exhaust rate for a ducted hood is 100 CFM, and it must be ducted to the outside.
• Make-up air, fresh air brought inside to replace exhausted air, may need to be provided. Refer to local codes.

Kitchen Planning Guideline 20—Cooking Surface Safety
Recommended:

1. Do not locate the cooking surface under an operable window.
2. Window treatments above the cooking surface should not use flammable materials.
3. A fire extinguisher should be located near the exit of the kitchen away from cooking equipment.

Kitchen Planning Guideline 21—Microwave Oven Placement
Recommended: Locate the microwave oven after considering the user’s height and abilities. The ideal location for the bottom of the microwave is 3 inches below the principle user’s shoulder, but no more than 54 inches above the floor.

If the microwave oven is placed below the countertop, the oven bottom must be at least 15 inches off the finished floor.