Range
It is recommended that a cooktop be used because it can be installed at the most
appropriate height for the user, its side or front controls are easily reached by
most individuals, and counter installation can allow open space below the cooktop
for easiest access.
It is recommended that the cooktop be installed at a height of 30"-32" above the floor.
However, to ensure adequate clear space adjacent to the cooktop, make sure the
cooktop is installed at the same height as the adjacent countertop.
Knee space needs to be available for wheelchair users to allow them to access the cooktop.
Ideally space should be available under the cooktop to allow easiest access.
- Minimum requirements:
- Height: 27 inches
- Depth: 19 inches
- Width: 30 inches
- Recommended dimensions:
- Height: 29 inches or greater to allow for wheelchair armrests
- Width: 36 inches
There are a variety of reach ranges that must be considered.
- Reach range for persons seated in wheelchair:
- Down: 12 - 15 inches above the floor
- Out (over the counter): 3 feet, 8 inches above the floor (maximum)
- Up: 4 feet above the floor (maximum)
- Side reach for persons seated in a wheelchair:
- Lateral: 12 inches (maximum)
- Down: 9 inches above the floor (minimum)
- Up: 4 feet, 6 inches above the floor(maximum)
- Reach for standing person, mobility impaired:
- Up: 6 feet above the floor
- Down: 2 feet above the floor
Adequate clear space beside burners is required. The recommended minimum amount
of clear space is 12 inches.
Controls should never be located at the rear of the unit! Controls should be
located on or near the front of the cooking unit. This ensures that there is
no need to reach over or around any burners. Also, controls located near or
at the front are more accessible for persons with visual impairments. There are
several different types of controls that can be used with the cooktop. The choice
of control type should be based on the individual's disability. These control
types, along with their advantages and disadvantages, are provided below.
- Lever type
Advantages:
- Do not require grasping for operation
- Their shape provides a natural pointer that indicates the control's position
- Best type of control to use for universal accessibility
- Blade knobs: control with a large straight blade across the center; use the
blade to turn the knob
Advantages:
- Blade shape is asymmetrical - it extends on one side which forms a pointer that
helps indicate the control's position
- The shape acts as a lever - turning is accommplished with reduced effort
- Second best type of control to use for universal accessibility
Disadvantages:
- Requires grasping for operation
- Electric touch controls
Advantages:
- Single touch operation
- Requires little force for operation
- Requires no gripping or twisting
- Does not require fine finger dexterity
- Some manufacturers offer plastic overlay panels with raised tactile openings
or labeling to aid the visually impaired
Disadvantages:
- Not accessible to those with visual impairments
- Redundant cueing/feedback to the user
-
Controls should provide redundant cueing or feedback to the user in order to be
accessible to persons with visual and hearing impairments.
Examples of redundant cueing/feedback:
- Click stops - provide distinct audible sound and tactile cue
- High contrast labeling
- Raised markers
Range hoods come in a variety of widths (30", 36", 48").
Controls for the range hood should be located on the lower front panel of the hood
to decrease the reach range requirements for operation. However, it is recommended that
these controls be located on the cooktop panel or in nearby base cabinets just below
the counter top.
To adapt existing controls located on the range hood itself, a conventional toggle switch
can be installed at a lower position as an auxilliary control. The hood controls should
be set and left on so that the toggle switch can be used for ON/OFF operation.
Install the cooking unit close to the sink so that the spray hose can reach
some of the burners.
Cooking units that have flush burners should be specified such that pots and
pans can be slid from the cooking surface to the counter without having to be
lifted.
The burners, cooktop, and counters should be at a smooth common level - no more
than 1/8 inch raised edge.
Burners should be staggered so the user does not have to reach over a hot burner to get
to a rear burner.
Placing an angled mirror over the cooktop allows those in wheelchairs to see the
contents of pots.
It is recommended that only electric cooktops be used because: (1) there are no products of
combustion such as carbon monoxide when using electrical cooktops, and (2) individuals with an
impaired sense of smell will not be able to detect a gas leak.
This section discusses general issues concerning the installation of an electric cooktop.
Tools needed, general requirements that must be followed, and electrical requirements that
must be followed are presented. Detailed procedures are provided by any particular cooktop's instruction manual. An electrician and carpenter may be needed. These installation
instructions provide generalities only! Consult the instruction manual for the particular
cooktop you are installing for complete details.
- Tools Needed:
- Pliers
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Straight edge
- Ruler or tape measurer
- Saw
- Wrench or socket set
- Drill
- General requirements:
- Opening for cooktop must be cut out from the counter top. Make
sure that the edges are straight to ensure a correct fit.
- Make sure that the cooktop is installed securely to the
counter top.
- Make sure ductwork is installed.
- Electrical requirements:
- Connect the cooktop to an individual, properly grounded branch circuit, protected
by a circuit breaker or fuse having an amperage as noted on the rating plate.
- Use a junction box; run conductors from house wiring to the
junction box.
- If you are connecting to aluminum wiring, properly installed connections approved for
use with aluminum wiring must be used.
- Pitfalls:
- Cooktop is not securely installed to the counter top.
- Improper connection of aluminum house wiring to the copper leads from the cooktop can result
in electrical hazard or fire. Therefore, use only connectors designed for joining copper
to aluminum and follow the manufacturer's recommended procedure closely.
This section discusses general issues concerning the installation of gas cooktop.
Tools needed, general requirements that must be followed, and gas requirements that
must be followed are presented. Detailed procedures are provided by any particular
cooktop's instruction manual. An electrician and carpenter may be needed. These installation
instructions provide generalities only! Consult the instruction manual for the particular
cooktop you are installing for complete details.
- Tools Needed:
- Pipe wrench
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Straight edge
- Ruler or tape measurer
- Open end or adjustable wrench
- General requirements:
- Opening for cooktop must be cut out from the counter top. Make
sure this opening's edges are straight for a correct fit.
- Make sure that the cooktop is installed securely to the counter top.
- Must be properly electrically grounded.
- 120 V, 60 Hz branch circuit protected by a 15-amp circuit breaker
or time delay fuse.
- Gas requirements:
- Installation must conform to local gas codes
- In the absence of local codes, installation must conform to the National Fuel
Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1, latest edition.
- Gas connections:
- Connect the cooktop to the gas supply.
- Install a manual gas line shut-off valve in an easily accessible location
- Pitfalls:
- Cooktop is not securely installed to the countertop.
- Reuse of old flexible connectors. Always use new flexible
connectors. Reuse of old flexible connectors can result in gas leaks and injury.
- Gas supplied to cooktop is not the type of gas for which the oven is designed.
This section discusses general issues concerning the installation of a range hood.
Tools needed, general requirements that must be followed, and electrical requirements that
must be followed are presented. Detailed procedures are provided by any particular range hood's instruction manual. An electrician and carpenter may be needed. These installation
instructions provide generalities only! Consult the instruction manual for the particular
range hood you are installing for complete details.
- Tools Needed:
- Drill
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Straight edge
- Ruler or tape measurer
- Saw
- Pliers
- General requirements:
- Make sure hood is mounted securely to the wall.
- Install ductwork.
- Install venting (horizonatl or vertical).
- Electrical requirements:
- Connect the range hood to an individual, properly grounded branch circuit, protected
by a circuit breaker or fuse having an amperage as noted on the rating plate.
- Ground the hood frame.
- If you are connecting to aluminum wiring, properly installed connections approved for
use with aluminum wiring must be used.
- Pitfalls:
- Range hood is not level and straight.
- Range hood is not securely installed to the wall.
- Improper connection of aluminum house wiring to the copper leads from the range hood can result
in electrical hazard or fire. Therefore, use only connectors designed for joining copper
to aluminum and follow the manufacturer's recommended procedure closely.
[Introduction]
[Layout]
[Electrical]
[Refrigerator]
[Dishwasher]
[Microwave]
[Oven]
[Range]
[Sink]
[Countertops]
[Storage]
[References]