Microwave Ovens and the Definition of Dwelling Unit

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charlie b

charlie b

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I think this might have been discussed before, but I do not know if it has been resolved. A building intended for housing large groups of personnel has individual (2 person) units that have provisions for sleeping, living, and sanitation. Questions:
  1. If the only "provision for cooking" is a microwave oven sitting on the countertop or sitting inside an upper cabinet, and not secured into place, does that make this a "dwelling unit"?
  2. Would your answer change if the microwave was mounted on the wall, perhaps above the stove, but definitely secured into place?
 
Here's the Article 100 definition, as you've questioned the issue is around what a "permanent provision for...cooking" is. IMO something sitting on a counter is not permanent but permanently mounted on the wall would meet the definition. It's like saying if I put a microwave in a bathroom does that make it a kitchen.

Dwelling Unit. A single unit, providing complete and independent living facilities for one or more persons, including
permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation.
Click to expand...
 
We have enforced along Robs guideline. If the microwave is the only cooking appliance and its portable, the we say not a dwelling. If its fastened in place, then we say dwelling.
I'm certain that policy is not universal
 
jap said:
How much "cooking" is actually done in a microwave?

JAP>
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I've cooked raw chicken.... probably not the best way to cook it, but it's doable.
Heating pre-cooked meals is 'cooking--' probably not haut cuisine, but warming a "TV Dinner" does count as cooking.
 
I'd simply consider heating something up re warming something someone else actually cooked.

Jap>
 
Must be an electrician thing...... I do the same thing at times. :)

JAP>
 
charlie b said:
I think this might have been discussed before, but I do not know if it has been resolved. A building intended for housing large groups of personnel has individual (2 person) units that have provisions for sleeping, living, and sanitation. Questions:
  1. If the only "provision for cooking" is a microwave oven sitting on the countertop or sitting inside an upper cabinet, and not secured into place, does that make this a "dwelling unit"?
  2. Would your answer change if the microwave was mounted on the wall, perhaps above the stove, but definitely secured into place?
Click to expand...
In my State that the answers are:
1. No
2. No.
 
So if you have living, sleeping, and sanitation but only a microwave (sitting on the counter)for cooking is it still a dwelling?


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Most dwelling units I've seen, have a free standing electric range for cooking. It is plugged in with a cord, and is not fastened in place. They do have an anti-tip bracket, but this does not fasten the appliance in-place. How is this different than a microwave that is not fastened in place? Especially if the microwave is in a dedicated cabinet space, provided with an individual circuit (by design choice) for argument sake? As a building official, I'd qualify this setup as a dwelling unit.
 
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