Commercial Kitchen

[steve66]

Would anyone care to try and define a "commercial kitchen" as it applies to GFCI required outlets.

Is our break room a commercial kitchen if it has a microwave oven?

How about an area that has a food warmer, coolers and refrig. and freezer? But no cooking?

How about the serving line in a cafeteria (the food is prepared in another area)?

I think the NEC really left this one wide open.

Steve

 

[iwire]

Re: Commercial Kitchen

Steve do a search on this site for this info.

I believe I read on this site that the 2005 code will address this and the break room you describe would be included in the commercial kitchen requirements.

I remember that it was controversial and of course is not yet official.

Bob

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Commercial Kitchen

As Bob pointed out, the 2005 (hopefully) defined kitchen. From what I have read, the definition will be located in 210.8 (not art. 100), and will state basically "Kitchen: An area with a sink and permanant provisions for cooking food".

With that definition, I would say that a microwave is not permanant if it is set on the counter, but it is permanant if counter-mounted.????

Note: Please don't take this as gospel, this is only what I have heard.

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: Commercial Kitchen

Whhy whhy whyyyyyy? Can the NEC panels ever come up with anything that makes sense? I also hear the next issue will pe printed on gray paper. That way there will be no question that the rules are all in "A gray area".

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Commercial Kitchen

There is no doubt that a clear and concise definition is important for determining compliance with requirements, however, I also feel knowing and understanding intent is just as valuable.

Why would GFCI protection of receptacles in a kitchen be needed and required? In my opinion, the use of hand-held and hand-operated appliances and the possibilty of wet conditions present a possible hazard to the user.

This is where good judgment and common sense comes into play. If there is an area in a non-dwelling occupancy that person will use appliances associated with the preparation or cooking of food and have a sink for food processing and cleaning, the location is a kitchen.

I don't necessarily feel a refrigerator with a microwave constitutes a kitchen. Those appliances don't really have the intimate contact and use that countertop appliance generally do. However, introduce a sink and some counterspace, I'm going to let my AHJ make the call.