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Question

I need some building-code information to back up a design decision.

Here's the problem: I am a real estate stager and decorator. The contractor we hired who was doing the major parts of a kitchen renovation flew the coop after we realized stuff had been stolen from the house being worked on. He took off in the middle of one of the last installations - that of a formica bar top. We found a family friend with experience in formica installation, and he is going to finish the job

Unfortunately, now I have no contractor to explain things like building codes and whatnot to my client, and she wants to do something I think will negatively impact the equity. Please cut and paste this URL into your browser to see a diagram of my problem :

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq339/thystalline/CounterDiagram.jpg to see what we are up against.

Is it a code violation if we do not cut away the bartop? The traffic path opening will be only about 26" wide.

Is there a code to back me up?

Submitted: 255 days and 7 hours ago.
Category: Home Improvement
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

Thank you for using Just Answer!

Kitchen planning and access standards were designed based upon reviewing the following building code.

ICC/ANSI 117.1 – 2003 Accessible and Useable Buildings and Facilities

Attached is a link to a website that thoroughly details the specifics of a properly designed kitchen with access.

http://www.nkba.org/guidelines/kitchen.aspx

If you click on the left hand side where it links "walkway", it clearly states that the width of a walkway should be atleast 36". This is not a specific code, but is based upon reviewing access standards. You should contact your local building official and see if they have any local codes that pertain to this scenario.

I agree with you that a 26" walkway width into a kitchen is definitely too narrow and will cause issues with future owners. Hopefully with this information you can sway your customer to provide a wider entrance to the kitchen.

Feel free to post any follow-up questions you may have.

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Expert: Home Improvement Jay
Pos. Feedback: 99.0 %
Accepts: 345
Answered: 7/10/2009

General Contractor

7 years exp. residential home and pool construction; mold, fire and flood remediations.

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