Gas hob and adjacent window - the regulations?

paddy's_mum

We're currently planning a new kitchen. We'd like to fit a standard gas hob within a worktop but there is a large window just above and to the side of where the hob would ideally go.

Daft as it may sound, we have got the space along that wall to alter the window (brick part of it up or move the opening along) and it is due to have replacement double glazing in the next few months in any case. Physically altering the wall would be worth doing since it would greatly increase the amount of room for units in a poorly laid out space (three doors opening into it already!)

We would have our Corgi registered plumber fit the hob but I can't at the moment find out what the regulations specify about distance from the edge of the hob to the nearest edge of any nearby window. Does any forum member know what the regulations actually demand?

It's obvious to us that there should be no curtains or flammable fabrics close to a gas hob and we appreciate that any window opener should be at the end furthest from the hob itself. We really just need to know what the minimum distance should be so that we can do the arithmetic for the new kitchen plan. Many thanks.

paddy's_mum

Gentle, polite bump. Anybody ... ?

sparky883

Im sorry i dont know its not my area but thought i would answer your quiry,It would not suprise me if there were not any regs governing this but one of the Corgi's should put you right,

papalaz

try posting your query on www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk they should be able to help.

andrew-b

I don't know the regulations but i would put a gas hob as far away from a window or door as possible whatever the regs say.

Open window + draught + unattended hob left on simmer -> flame put out -> gas leaking out -> come back in room and turn light on -> BOOM! -> no kitchen/house/you.

...perhaps a bit extreme/exaggerated but you get the point! I believe you can get gas hobs with built in safety features to reignite if the flame goes out though which would cover you against such accidents.

Also (particularly when it's colder) if your boiling vegetables etc your whole window behind will get covered in condensation.

When we moved in there was a gas point between door and window so we had it relocated to other side of kitchen. If i were you i would do a similar thing and see if it can be put the other side of the room and get the gas pipe relocated.

Andy

paddy's_mum

andrew - I take your point entirely but half the problem with this particular kitchen is that there really isn't any way to relocate the hob. The room is rectangular. There is a back door at one end and a door into the hall (and thence to bathroom and bedrooms) at the other. The third wall has a woodburning stove on it and the fourth wall is the only one that is not interrupted. Unfortunately, it is the fourth wall that has a huge window in it, which is why we had considered making a physical alteration to the width of the window to enable a gas hob to be placed there with more safety.

I don't think that condensation etc would be a problem since today's building regs demand an extractor fan above any hob (or at least that is what I am given to understand).

If I can't get a definitive answer soon, I may just throw in the towel and fit another - hated - electric hob instead!

Canucklehead

Good afternooon: I would recommend a quick call to CORGI's consumer advice line 0800 915 0485 for the definitive answer (make them earn their money;)).

HTH

Canucklehead

andrew-b

Ahh ...maybe would help if you could post a couple of pictures or a floor plan with critical dimension showing door and window positions and a list of what your after to fit in and see if we can all come up with a decent plan for you. There may well be ideas of how to plan your kitchen that you haven't thought of that are staring you in the face - though does sound tight and you've obviously given it much thought so i'm doubtful!

Our kitchen was pretty complicated to plan ...one wall with larder couldn't be used for anything as doors to side of house and door to hall at that end. We also wanted to keep the serving hatch at the other end plus we have a lovely diagonal wall cutting off a corner to contend with. I still don't quite believe how we managed to fit washing machine, tumble drier, fridge freezer and oven and hob in as well as the sink and cupboards with boiler on the wall too. Although we had wickes draw up the plans the design consultant was pretty much just controlling his computer mouse for me!

I get your point about condensation. Legally you dont have to have an extractor fan if your refitting an existing kitchen but certainly a good idea. If you were building a new extension for a kitchen or a new house then yes you would have to install them.

I did think after my last post "wouldnt it be easier to fit electric hob"...but sounds like your not too keen!

Get a gas barbecue and stick it in the garden far easier lol!

Andy

jackieb

Won't there be chance you'll get burnt, or clothing will catch fire if you lean over the hob to open the window? Not sure if your hob will be that close, but it's maybe a consideration.

andrew-b

I've absolutely no idea how feasible this is as i don't know what's beyond your window but it occurred to me if you have one wall with an external door and one wall with big window could you brick up the existing back door...remove the big window, remove part of wall beneath old window and replace with back door and window next to it...you then gain one external wall that's a clear run without doors or windows that you can have the hob on and maybe tall unit to house oven, with extractor going straight through the wall to outside. Lintels for above combined door and window would already be in place from previous window (so lower cost?).

Just an idea that i was playing with in my head whilst cutting the lawn (no wonder my mowing lines aren't straight!).

Andy

paddy's_mum

oh andrew .. sweetheart .. wobbly lines in your lawn and all because of little ole me!

Thanks to all who have replied. Canucklehead, we have already phoned Corgi twice and got different answers each time. I rang while hubby was out and wrote down that reply. They said 50 mm clear space all round. I went off to do a batch cook and hubby rang them not realising that I had already done so and got a totally different answer! This time someone said 300mm.

We also tried to speak to building regs and all the inspectors were out doing site visits .. ho hum!

That's a really good idea about giving dimensions and floor plans so that others can give the benefit of their experience. Only one problem - I still haven't learned how to get pics into a post. I don't even know how to do those clever blue link thingies nor bring quotes into a post I make. Is there any hope for me?

PS andrew-b Is your house still happily hanging off your chimney? Who loves ya, baby .. genuinely, thanks for giving my gas hob problem some thought.