Everybody has "pet peeves" and one of mine is in 210.52(C)(1). . The trigger for a counter plug requirement is 12" or wider but the 24" measurement says "so that no point along the wall line is more than 24".
This means that a counter space with an open end is treated differently than the exact same counter that has a side return wall. . The counter space is identical but the requirement is different. . The area used for countertop appliances is based on counter space not wall line. . This is in contrast to non-counter areas that have more usable area as wall line increases, 210.52(A)(1).
And then there's the counter that runs up to a panel divider wall for a refrigerator. . It is a "wall" but actually is only a sheet of thin wood in a frame. . I know cabinet dividers are not considered ?walls? by 400.8(2) & 422.16(B)(2)(4).
It has happened a number of times on an inspection that a huge island or a very long peninsula has only one plug while a small countertop a few feet away has to have 2 plugs just because it has a return wall next to it. . If it had an open side edge or a refrigerator panel on the side edge, code would require only one plug. . And yet I can tell that the monster island will obviously have the bulk of the countertop appliances.
Thruout the 2008 ROP I read over and over again the Panel Statement: Recommendation ?described is a design issue and consideration.? . This statement is used even when there is no design issue recommended but only a recommendation that the panel doesn?t agree with.
I believe the spacing requirements of 210.52(C)(1) show an attempt to design rather than addressing a legitimate safety or fire concern. . I?m not sure exactly what the requirement should be. . I?m only sure that the current one doesn?t make sense.
Anybody agree with me and have a suggestion for a change ?
David
This means that a counter space with an open end is treated differently than the exact same counter that has a side return wall. . The counter space is identical but the requirement is different. . The area used for countertop appliances is based on counter space not wall line. . This is in contrast to non-counter areas that have more usable area as wall line increases, 210.52(A)(1).
And then there's the counter that runs up to a panel divider wall for a refrigerator. . It is a "wall" but actually is only a sheet of thin wood in a frame. . I know cabinet dividers are not considered ?walls? by 400.8(2) & 422.16(B)(2)(4).
It has happened a number of times on an inspection that a huge island or a very long peninsula has only one plug while a small countertop a few feet away has to have 2 plugs just because it has a return wall next to it. . If it had an open side edge or a refrigerator panel on the side edge, code would require only one plug. . And yet I can tell that the monster island will obviously have the bulk of the countertop appliances.
Thruout the 2008 ROP I read over and over again the Panel Statement: Recommendation ?described is a design issue and consideration.? . This statement is used even when there is no design issue recommended but only a recommendation that the panel doesn?t agree with.
I believe the spacing requirements of 210.52(C)(1) show an attempt to design rather than addressing a legitimate safety or fire concern. . I?m not sure exactly what the requirement should be. . I?m only sure that the current one doesn?t make sense.
Anybody agree with me and have a suggestion for a change ?
David