Desks in kitchens

[kalanjeya]

Nice topic....

But in general , thinking about safty, since it is coming in the kitchen , i would suggest to go for GFCI whether NEC says or not.

Thanks for all

Kalanjeya

 

[John Deere Man]

Charlie b

If it is in a kitchen & it can serve as a counter top it shall have a receptacle to serve it & it shall be GFCI protected as required by the article that I listed before. If the "DESK" area is out of the kitchen area then there is no question, it would not need to be.

 

[charlie b]

It is not the fact that an appliance can be placed on a surface that causes that surface to become a "kitchen countertop." For example, I can buy a special desk designed specifically as a computer workstation, and I can place it in a kitchen. If I want, I can put a coffee warmer on the workstation desk. That does not cause the desk to become subject to the rules about kitchen countertop receptacles.

We have seen two photos that show large windows behind what would otherwise be obviously countertops. In both cases, the windows prevent us from installing a receptacle above the countertops. I just think this situation is not addressed in the NEC.

 

[jim dungar]

If the window panes can be moved, then 210.52.(2)(1) could be used to justify that opening as a non-wall space. However, if the window panes cannot be moved then 210.52(2)(2) does consider them as a wall space.

 

[M. D.]

Al, is that upper cabinet more than 20" above the work surface?? if not I suspect there is a plug strip mounted under the upper?

 

[al hildenbrand]

M. D.,

The uppers are exactly 18" above the countertops, except above the cooktop, which is 24".

All the glass in both windows is fixed.

The 16 foot long, 18 inch high window is in the roof load bearing wall. The roof is 4:12 pitch and is designed for Minnesota snow load.

For example, I can buy a special desk designed specifically as a computer workstation, and I can place it in a kitchen. If I want, I can put a coffee warmer on the workstation desk. That does not cause the desk to become subject to the rules about kitchen countertop receptacles.

I don't find "kitchen countertop", rather, I find "counter space" in a kitchen. Counter space is not qualified as "desk" or "kitchen", it is simply "counter space".

 

[charlie b]

I don't find "kitchen countertop", rather, I find "counter space" in a kitchen. Counter space is not qualified as "desk" or "kitchen", it is simply "counter space".

Al, let me emphasize a few words from my earlier statement:

That does not cause the desk to become subject to the rules about kitchen countertop receptacles.

OK, we'll call it "counter space," instead of "kitchen countertops." My point was that the rules to which I refer would not apply to my computer workstation desk. Keep in mind that I am not talking about the "desk" shown in an earlier photo in this thread.

• Its surface is not a "counter space."
• I do not need to have a receptacle within the range of 20 inches above to 12 inches below the desk surface.
• A receptacle serving the desk does not have to be supplied by one of the Small Appliance circuits.
• A receptacle serving the desk does not have to have GFCI protection.

 

[LarryFine]

P.S. In Al's picture above, my opinion is that the window is a break in wall counter space, therefore receptacles should be installed within 2' of the jamb on each side of the window.

I agree. The window area is not intended for locating appliances, as a wall would be. At most, the standard 6/12/12/6 rule would apply here, I would think.

 

[George Stolz]

P.S. In Al's picture above, my opinion is that the window is a break in wall counter space, therefore receptacles should be installed within 2' of the jamb on each side of the window.

I agree.

Now Larry, it's bad form to agree with someone who rescinded their position in one turn.

The window area is not intended for locating appliances, as a wall would be.

People place the appliances on the counter, not on the wall. The backdrop very arguably does not play any role in the productivity of a counter space.

I would resent this kitchen due to the bad position it puts me in as an installer. That's why I threw that opinion out there in the first place. I didn't view it as a stance with any substance, when I wrote it.

If a fixed glass panel is considered wall space, and there is no redress of that for counters, then we are just flat hosed. I don't believe we have a leg to stand on, codewise. (Provided that window were greater than 4' wide, of course.)