Kitchens
NOTE: Specifications and figures are provided from Accessible Design for the Built Environment, Registered trade-mark of Canadian Standards Association, 2004; Canadian Standards Association, 5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100 Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5N6. Measurement Scale used: 25.4 mm = 2.54 cm = 1 inch
Kitchen Specification Information Sheet (printable pdf version)
Clear Floor Space
The minimum clearance between counters and all opposing cabinets, countertops, appliances or walls should be 1500 mm (59 inches), except in U-shaped kitchens where the minimum clearance should be 1500 mm (59 inches). There should be a minimum clear floor space of 750 mm (30 inches) x 1200 mm (47 inches) for side approach of all appliances in the kitchen, including the range or cook-top, oven refrigerator, and dishwasher.
Controls
The operable parts of controls, such as thermostats, electrical switches, etc. should:
- Be at a height between 400 mm (16 inches) and 1200 mm (47 inches) from the floor.
- Be operable with one hand and not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
- Be adjacent with a clear floor space with a width of 750 mm (30 inches).
Work Surfaces
There should be at least one work surface that:
- Is a minimum of 750 mm (30 inches) wide and 600 mm (24 inches) deep.
- Is at a height between 730 mm (29 inches) and 860 mm (34 inches).
- Has a minimum clear floor space of 750 mm (30 inches) x 1200 mm (47 inches) which may extend up to 480 mm (19 inches) underneath the work surface.
- Has a minimum knee space of 750 mm (30 inches) wide, 480 mm (19 inches) deep, and 680 mm (27 inches) high.
- Has no sharp or abrasive surfaces under it.
- Has accessible electrical outlets at the side or front of the work space.
Sinks
Sinks should:
- Be mounted with the rim height between 810 mm (32 inches) and 860 mm (34 inches) from the floor.
- Have a minimum clear knee space of 750 mm (30 inches) wide, 200 mm (8 inches) deep and 680 mm (27 inches) high plus a clear toe space of 750 mm (30 inches) wide, 230 mm (9 inches) deep and 230 mm (9 inches) high.
- Have a minimum clear floor space of 750 mm ((30 inches) x 1200 mm (47 inches) in front of the sink and up to 480 mm (19 inches) of this may extend under the counter.
- Have no sharp or abrasive surfaces under it.
- Have hot water, drain pipes insulated if they abut the clearances noted above.
- Have faucets with handles that are a lever style as illustrated in CSA figure.
Dishwashers
Where dishwashers are installed, they should be front-loading.
Cook-tops
Ranges and cook-tops should:
- Have controls, which do not require reaching across the burners to operate.
- Have insulation or other protection on the underside where knee space would be provided.
- Have a minimum clear floor space of 750 mm (30 inches) x 1200 mm (47 inches) which may overlap a knee space by up to 480 mm (19 inches).
Ovens
Ovens should:
- Have controls on the front panel.
- For side opening doors, have the latch next to a horizontal surface, or a pull out shelf under it, which extends to the full width of the oven and pulls out no less than 250 mm (10 inches).
Refrigerators/Freezers
Refrigerators should be self-defrosting and be:
- Vertical side by side type; or
- Over and under type, with freezer shelf space not more than 1100 mm (44 inches) from the floor; and
- refrigerator space and controls not more than 1100 mm (44 inches) from the floor.
Kitchen Storage
Cabinets, drawers, and shelf storage areas should:
- Have at least one shelf not more than 1100 mm (44 inches) from the floor (where it is above a work surface); and
- Have "D"-type door pulls mounted close to the bottom of upper cabinet doors; and top of base cabinet doors.
Cooking Unit, Oven and Pantry Storage Diagram