Zoning in studio apartments

[Mr.Y]

Hello everyone,

I am currently working on an apartment building project that includes multiple studio apartments. I am in the process of determining which circuits for "small appliances" can be shared in order to comply with the NEC. However, I am unsure about how to correctly identify the boundary between the kitchen and the bedroom. Should I consider the entire room as part of the kitchen?
I'm not allowed to share floor plans, but similar that I found online:

Thank you.

 

[LarryFine]

Welcome to the forum.

I would think that only the receptacles on the counter need be on the two required kitchen circuits.

I any case, there's no sharing of those circuits.

 

[acrwc10]

Welcome to the forum.

I would think that only the receptacles on the counter need be on the two required kitchen circuits.

I any case, there's no sharing of those circuits.

bathroom need it's own circuit too, cook top may need a dedicated circuit.

 

[Mr.Y]

Correct, based on NEC, bathroom receptacles shouldn't share circuit with other rooms

NEC 210.52(B)(3) Receptacles installed in a kitchen to serve countertop surfaces shall be supplied by not fewer than two small-appliance branch circuits, either or both of which shall also be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen and in other rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). Additional small-appliance branch circuits shall be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the kitchen and other rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). No small-appliance branch circuit shall serve more than one kitchen.

If I'm not wrong I can share countertop circuit with other receptacles in the kitchen or dining room
similar shown on the picture

 

[rc/retired]

Scratch the word "dining". That way you don't have to try to figure out which receptacle outlets would be considered part of the small appliance branch circuit.

Ron

 

[LarryFine]

bathroom need it's own circuit too, cook top may need a dedicated circuit.

Of course. I was responding to the OP's question as it was asked.

 

[ActionDave]

Hello everyone,

I am currently working on an apartment building project that includes multiple studio apartments. I am in the process of determining which circuits for "small appliances" can be shared in order to comply with the NEC. However, I am unsure about how to correctly identify the boundary between the kitchen and the bedroom. Should I consider the entire room as part of the kitchen?
I'm not allowed to share floor plans, but similar that I found online:

Thank you.

Per your example I would put one circuit on each side of the sink and not share them with the rest of the room.

 

[Choice_Gorilla]

Worked in a few of these buildings. The two small appliance circuits never leave the kitchen counter top space. The rest of the room is usually fed with one circuit for lights/receptacles.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Per your example I would put one circuit on each side of the sink and not share them with the rest of the room.

In the right floor plan, the large area is labeled living/dining. In my opinion, the code language would require the receptacles in that are to be supplied by the two or more small appliance branch circuits.

 

[rc/retired]

In the right floor plan, the large area is labeled living/dining. In my opinion, the code language would require the receptacles in that are to be supplied by the two or more small appliance branch circuits.

I agree. That's the reason I suggested that the OP delete dining.

Ron

 

[Mr.Y]

In the right floor plan, the large area is labeled living/dining. In my opinion, the code language would require the receptacles in that are to be supplied by the two or more small appliance branch circuits.

Well, the question is how to determine the legal zone assignment. Are there any building or health codes, such as the requirement that the bed cannot be placed within X feet of the kitchen area? Designers can name the area as they wish, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are correct and that the inspector will approve it.

 

[rc/retired]

Well, the question is how to determine the legal zone assignment. Are there any building or health codes, such as the requirement that the bed cannot be placed within X feet of the kitchen area? Designers can name the area as they wish, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are correct and that the inspector will approve it.

There are no codes stating any distance from a bed to anything in a studio or any other type of apartment/dwelling unit.
If an inspector thinks otherwise, the inspector should provide a code reference.

Ron