How is the practical experience with a kitchen island?
Currently, I have a standard kitchen countertop. But I’m considering a kitchen island. I’m just wondering how it is with grease splatters and similar issues. Sometimes the grease splashes quite a bit, and the area around the stove gets covered. I’ve also noticed some on the floor, since my cooktop is only about 5-10 cm (2–4 inches) from the edge.
With a kitchen island, would this mean you need at least 20 cm (8 inches) clearance on the front, back, and both sides from the edge of the countertop to avoid grease ending up all over the floor?
My sink will probably be on the opposite side. How is cleaning handled in that case? It probably creates more mess if you have to carry dirty dishes across the floor, right?
Currently, I have a standard kitchen countertop. But I’m considering a kitchen island. I’m just wondering how it is with grease splatters and similar issues. Sometimes the grease splashes quite a bit, and the area around the stove gets covered. I’ve also noticed some on the floor, since my cooktop is only about 5-10 cm (2–4 inches) from the edge.
With a kitchen island, would this mean you need at least 20 cm (8 inches) clearance on the front, back, and both sides from the edge of the countertop to avoid grease ending up all over the floor?
My sink will probably be on the opposite side. How is cleaning handled in that case? It probably creates more mess if you have to carry dirty dishes across the floor, right?
B
Bauexperte20 Nov 2014 00:58Good evening,
Regards, Bauexperte
One00 schrieb:I can easily imagine that; it fits well with the beautiful staircase and the labor-intensive wall.
Of course, a glass wall will be installed immediately in front of it.
Regards, Bauexperte
S
Sebastian791 Jan 2015 10:15In North Rhine-Westphalia, a single-family house does not require a railing – a staircase like this would be approved.
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Bauexperte2 Jan 2015 12:17Hello,
I like these kinds of answers....
Fourth Section – Stairs, Emergency Exits, Elevators, and Openings
Building Regulations for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia – State Building Code (Bauordnung NRW), Announcement of the Revised Version
§ 36 Stairs
(1) Every floor above ground level and the usable attic space of a building must be accessible by at least one staircase (required staircase); additional staircases may be required if evacuation of people in case of fire is not possible by other means. Instead of required staircases, ramps with a gentle slope may be permitted.
(2) Retractable stairs and escalators are not allowed as required staircases. Retractable stairs and ladders are permitted in low-rise buildings as access to an attic without habitable rooms; they may be allowed as access to other rooms that are not habitable if there are no fire safety concerns.
(3) Load-bearing parts of required staircases must be constructed with fire resistance rating F 90 and made of non-combustible materials. In low-rise buildings, they must be made of non-combustible materials; this does not apply to low-rise residential buildings with no more than two dwelling units.
(4) In buildings with more than two floors above ground level, the required staircases must connect continuously to all other connected floors; they must be directly linked to the stairs leading to the attic space.
(5) The usable width of the staircases and landings of required staircases must be at least 1 m (3.3 feet); in residential buildings with no more than two dwelling units, a width of 0.8 m (2.6 feet) is sufficient.
(6) Staircases must have at least one fixed, secure handrail. For wide staircases, handrails on both sides and intermediate handrails may be required.
(7) Open sides of staircases, landings, and stair openings must be secured by railings. Windows adjacent to staircases with window sills below the required railing height must be secured.
(8) Handrails and railings may be omitted, especially on staircases with up to five steps, if there are no safety concerns considering traffic safety and the needs of disabled or elderly persons.
(9) Stair railings must be at least 0.90 m (3 feet) high, and at least 1.10 m (3.6 feet) high on staircases with a fall height of more than 12 m (39 feet).
(10) A staircase may not start immediately behind a door that opens in the direction of the staircase; a landing must be installed between the staircase and the door that is at least as deep as the door is wide.
(11) Paragraphs 3 to 7 do not apply to staircases inside dwelling units.
Regards, Bauexperte
Lexmaul79 schrieb:
In NRW, no railing is required for a single-family home – such a staircase would be approved
I like these kinds of answers....
Fourth Section – Stairs, Emergency Exits, Elevators, and Openings
Building Regulations for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia – State Building Code (Bauordnung NRW), Announcement of the Revised Version
§ 36 Stairs
(1) Every floor above ground level and the usable attic space of a building must be accessible by at least one staircase (required staircase); additional staircases may be required if evacuation of people in case of fire is not possible by other means. Instead of required staircases, ramps with a gentle slope may be permitted.
(2) Retractable stairs and escalators are not allowed as required staircases. Retractable stairs and ladders are permitted in low-rise buildings as access to an attic without habitable rooms; they may be allowed as access to other rooms that are not habitable if there are no fire safety concerns.
(3) Load-bearing parts of required staircases must be constructed with fire resistance rating F 90 and made of non-combustible materials. In low-rise buildings, they must be made of non-combustible materials; this does not apply to low-rise residential buildings with no more than two dwelling units.
(4) In buildings with more than two floors above ground level, the required staircases must connect continuously to all other connected floors; they must be directly linked to the stairs leading to the attic space.
(5) The usable width of the staircases and landings of required staircases must be at least 1 m (3.3 feet); in residential buildings with no more than two dwelling units, a width of 0.8 m (2.6 feet) is sufficient.
(6) Staircases must have at least one fixed, secure handrail. For wide staircases, handrails on both sides and intermediate handrails may be required.
(7) Open sides of staircases, landings, and stair openings must be secured by railings. Windows adjacent to staircases with window sills below the required railing height must be secured.
(8) Handrails and railings may be omitted, especially on staircases with up to five steps, if there are no safety concerns considering traffic safety and the needs of disabled or elderly persons.
(9) Stair railings must be at least 0.90 m (3 feet) high, and at least 1.10 m (3.6 feet) high on staircases with a fall height of more than 12 m (39 feet).
(10) A staircase may not start immediately behind a door that opens in the direction of the staircase; a landing must be installed between the staircase and the door that is at least as deep as the door is wide.
(11) Paragraphs 3 to 7 do not apply to staircases inside dwelling units.
Regards, Bauexperte
S
Sebastian792 Jan 2015 12:29You may like it or not – just read section 11 of your own quote.
I couldn’t believe it either, but it’s true and was confirmed to me when I asked my architect (who once worked at the building department and had to approve such things).
I couldn’t believe it either, but it’s true and was confirmed to me when I asked my architect (who once worked at the building department and had to approve such things).
B
Bauexperte2 Jan 2015 12:45Hello,
I have had countless conversations with building authority staff. They tend to differentiate more based on dwelling units – whether this is just nitpicking is up to each person; it gets especially complicated with agricultural older buildings, where the authorities even specify how large your bathroom can be.
In my opinion, your architect’s answer refers more to a rare individual case – or stairs with up to 5 steps. If sections 3–7 did not apply, for example, we wouldn’t need to install laminated safety glass (LSG) in windows near stairs (section 7)... yet on the other hand, we would not get approval if we didn’t do so.
Furthermore, private liability insurance – if construction is done without a railing anyway – will also have an important say regarding the height of the insurance premium due to accident risks.
Regards, Bauexperte
Lexmaul79 schrieb:
You can like it or not – just read section 11 of your own quote
I couldn’t believe it either, but it’s true, and my architect confirmed it when I asked (he used to work in the building authority and had to approve such things).
I have had countless conversations with building authority staff. They tend to differentiate more based on dwelling units – whether this is just nitpicking is up to each person; it gets especially complicated with agricultural older buildings, where the authorities even specify how large your bathroom can be.
In my opinion, your architect’s answer refers more to a rare individual case – or stairs with up to 5 steps. If sections 3–7 did not apply, for example, we wouldn’t need to install laminated safety glass (LSG) in windows near stairs (section 7)... yet on the other hand, we would not get approval if we didn’t do so.
Furthermore, private liability insurance – if construction is done without a railing anyway – will also have an important say regarding the height of the insurance premium due to accident risks.
Regards, Bauexperte
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