How close can a gas hob be to a tall larder unit?

Alan_M_2

As title, this isn't generally something we get involved with....a kitchen is designed by the time it reaches us but I have an issue with a design produced by a kitchen firm for one of my customers and I need to know if it complies with the regulations.

It's the interpretation of these regs that I'm unsure of.

The gas hob has been positioned in a place that makes the edge of the hob come to within 160mm of a tall larder unit. However, the actual burner ring is 310mm from the larder.

My understanding is the burner can be no closer than 300mm to a larder unit...but I'm being told it's actually the edge of the hob that needs to be that far away.

Who is right? and where do I find the actual regs for this, I don't trust this kitchen firm.

Doozergirl

I don't think there are regs for 300mm; I think it's common sense which says 300mm for pan handles. It's not the most sensible place, but needs must - I'm guessing.

There are regs which apply to distance of electrics from the sink; 300mm either side of the sink and 600mm above iirc.

Are there instructions on the hob? That should give you some kind of guide. I have one that says edge of hob 100mm from side of unit.

derrick

These people should be able to give you an answer;-

HSE Gas Safety Advice Line
Tel: 0800 300 363

Gloomendoom

I think this has been covered before. IIRC the conclusion reached was that a minimum 50mm gap needs to be left each side of the hob and an ajacent tall unit.

Essentially, you should be able to centre a box 700 wide and 760 tall on top of a 600 wide gas hob without hitting anything (including the cooker hood).

gas4you

50mm each side for a hob to a combustible surface. (from edge of hob)

760mm above the burners. If MI's state less then that is ok, they over ride the basic regs.

Often a cooker hood can be lowered to 650mm if manufacturers of the hood allow.

Alan_M_2

derrick wrote: »

These people should be able to give you an answer;-

HSE Gas Safety Advice Line
Tel: 0800 300 363

No they couldn't, I rang them before posting this question.

HSE Gas Safety informed me this was a building reg issue...I rang building regs at my local planning office they simply don't know - they referred me to HSE Gas Safety, who don't know.

Alan_M_2

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I think this has been covered before. IIRC the conclusion reached was that a minimum 50mm gap needs to be left each side of the hob and an ajacent tall unit.

Essentially, you should be able to centre a box 700 wide and 760 tall on top of a 600 wide gas hob without hitting anything (including the cooker hood).

gas4you wrote: »

50mm each side for a hob to a combustible surface. (from edge of hob)

760mm above the burners. If MI's state less then that is ok, they over ride the basic regs.

Often a cooker hood can be lowered to 650mm if manufacturers of the hood allow.

Any chance of a Building reg or BS number for this chaps or anywhere where I can identify a document that backs this up?

I have a customer who has been informed by a kitchen designer that this is a legal minimum requirement of 300mm and they won't believe anything other than official print...if you get my drift.

Alan_M_2

Doozergirl wrote: »

Are there instructions on the hob? That should give you some kind of guide. I have one that says edge of hob 100mm from side of unit.

Actually my default answer was "Refer to manufacturers instructions".

This is a tiny kitchen and to make everything fit in a way that's most user friendly, the hob is about 150mm from a tall larder, (burner being 300mm) - customer is a little paranoid which is not being helped by an ill informed designer.

I'm trying to deal in fact rather than general accepted practice, that sometimes prove difficult when the powers that be don't know the facts they are meant to be helping enforce.

gas4you

I checked it out in my gas books, but these distances will be clearly shown in the fitting instructions for the particular hob.

I will see if I can find them in pdf, but don't hold your breath

rockin_plumber

Do they know exactly which hob they are having??

You may be able to find the manufacturers instructions online which will provide this information.

Owain_Moneysaver

Try BS 6172:2004 Installation and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd and 3rd family gases).

If the mfr's instructions say greater distances then you must follow the mfr.

Also see Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004, Gas Appliance (Safety) Regulations 1995, Gas Cooking Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1989, Building Regulations 2000, Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990, Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, Gas Safety (Application) (Isle of Man) Order 1996, Building Regulations Approved Document F:1995, Building Standards (Scotland)Regulations Technical Standard K:2001 as applicable or updated.