Kitchen Work Triangle

• Work triangle distance totals 15-26 feet (lines connecting center of sink, cooktop, refrigerator)
• For multiple-cook kitchens, consider dual work triangles with a second sink and microwave oven (sink-oven-refrigerator triangle)
• No major traffic paths cross through primary work triangle
• No doors interfere with work centers, appliances, open cabinets or drawers
• Work space aisles minimum 42 inches wide (including clearance around islands)
• Passageways minimum 36 inches for one cook; 48 inches for two cooks
• Upper (wall-mount) cabinet frontage: minimum 186 inches (minimum 144 inches for compact kitchen < 150 sq. ft.)
• At least 60 inches upper cabinet frontage within 72 inches of primary sink centerline
• Base cabinet frontage: minimum192 inches (minimum 156 inches for compact kitchen)
• Drawer frontage: minimum 165 inches (minimum 120 inches for compact kitchen)
• Storage aids to improve accessibility and functionality (sturdy roll-out shelves, dividers, assorted drawer depths, etc.)
• Functional corner storage (lazy susan, diagonal door, etc.)
• 15 - 18 inches clearance between countertop and bottom of upper cabinets
• Countertop frontage: minimum198 inches (minimum 132 inches for compact kitchen)
• No two primary work centers are separated by full-height, full-depth cabinets
• Minimum 24 inches countertop frontage to one side of primary sink; 18 inches on other side
• If there is a second sink, minimum 3 inches counter space on one side; 18 inches on other side
• At least two waste basket areas (trash and recycle)
• Edge of dishwasher within 36 inches of edge of sink
• Minimum 21 inches standing room beside dishwasher
• Minimum 36 inches continuous countertop space for food preparation center
• Minimum 15 inches counter space on latch side of a refrigerator, on either side of side-by-side, or on landing space across from refrigerator (no more than 48 inches away)
• Minimum 15 inches counter space on one side of cooking surface, minimum 3 inches clearance from an end wall
• Appliances located minimum 15 inches from cabinet corners (so protruding appliance handles do not interfere with opening base cabinet drawers)
• Cooking surface is not placed below an operable window
• Minimum 15 inches landing space next to oven and microwave
• Bottom of microwave is below shoulder height of shortest user
• Cooking surface has hood exhaust system (100-150 cfm)
• If indoor grill and high cfm exhaust, a dampered outside air inlet is provided
• Minimum 24-inches-wide by 12-inches-deep counter/table space for each seated diner
• Minimum 36 inches walkway clearance around dining table; 24 inches if not a pathway
• Operable window area
• Ground fault circuit interrupters on all receptacles within 6 feet of water source
• Fire extinguisher located across from cooking surface (B-C type is best for grease fires, A-B-C is all-purpose)

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