Greetings everyone.
My client wants a cabinet peninsula about 10′ long containing a dishwasher and a sink as well as other base cabinets. She does not want the typical backsplash (she wants a pony wall the same height as the cabinets so that the counter top can be a completely flat plane). In looking at the IRC and FBC, I can’t find much in the way of wether we actually need one or not. My hunch is we do, both to contain water and for outlet spacing, but you never know. If anyone knows where to find this in the books, I would be greatly appreciative.
thanks much
stephen
Replies
I don't know anything about code, but I do know many folks (including ourselves) with a peninsula as you describe. Why would a backsplash be required anywhere?
I guess the main reason I was thinking I needed it was for outlets. I read some nebulous NEC code about needing an outlet 24" from each side of a sink, and something about small appliance circuts. I am not an electrician, and I just don't want to mess it up. thanks for your input.stephen
The outlets, if really required, can be placed on the cabinets, below the top. But the NEC contains a lot of exclusions and wiggle room if you know how to read it.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I would suggest to your client a under counter mounted sink to contain the water. A back splash in my opinion is to protect the wall and counter connection so the drywall dosen't rot behind the cabinet. So no, the back splash isn't necessary but I would think about protecting (Primer coat) the base cabinet bottom edge where it sits on the floor before install. No raw wood to act as a sponge for the inevitable.
Best to you and yours, Chris.
Building as thou art paranoid never harmed anyone.
Thanks for the tip. I will definately sugguest the sink.
stephen
In some areas the plumbing code requires that the vent rise above the flood rim of the sink, in effect mandating a backsplash.
I'll echo others here on several points.
First, I'm not seeing anything requiring a backsplash anywhere--if several regulations on what is in the backsplash proximal to a sink.
Second, I really like the idea of an under-mount sink in this big, flush, peninsula--the clients are likely to like it too. I've run into a number of clients who really liked the magazine articles with sinks in nice flush peninsulas--that is until you ask them how they wash dishes. All of a suddenm that 4-6" splash is a good deal; or going with an 8" deep u/m sink (oh boy, the drain clearance headaches that makes). Still, the u/m sink is an elegant way to deal with in-sink clutter.
I'd check with the clients about electrical appliances, though. Spending bucks for a clean, elegant, peninsula top will be "spoiled" a bit with electrical cords strung across it. Check if the AHJ has any requirements for convenience outlets spaced not more than xxx apart in kitchens.
Check the AHJ about any need for air gaps required for the DW & venting for the sink, too (which might be different answers).
Edit to add: Can anyone think of a decent flush convenience outlet mount other than a floor mount that would be "nice" in a high-visibility 'feature" like this?
Edited 6/5/2007 12:13 pm by CapnMac
sorry to ask a dumb question but what is the "AHJ"
thanks
stephen
sorry to ask a dumb question but what is the "AHJ"
It's only "dumb" if it is never spoken <g>.
AHJ = Authority Having Jurisdiction; usually the local City/Municipality, sometimes County/Parish and/or State--who ever the Inspector answers to, basically.
A person can be 100% right, but if the BI (Building Inspector) red tags it, it doesn't matter (or its a furrball).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)