Cabinet and Finish Carpentry (C-6) · Lesson 5 of 6

Accessible Kitchens: Aisle Clearances and Work Surface

"Accessible Kitchens: Aisle Clearances and Work Surface" is lesson 5 of 6 in the Cabinet and Finish Carpentry (C-6) Learning Hub. It opens with "When This Applies" and works through 5 short steps, then a worked example you can check yourself against.

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Steps in this lesson

  1. When This Applies
  2. Aisle Clearances Between Runs
  3. The Work Surface
  4. Sinks and Appliances
  5. Check the Layout on Paper First

The worked example in the course applies this lesson to a realistic job in 5 steps, from "Depth of each run" through "Work surface height".

What you'll be able to do

  • Explain the main idea of "Accessible Kitchens: Aisle Clearances and Work Surface" in plain language you can use on the exam.
  • Apply this step with confidence: "The Work Surface".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Sinks and Appliances".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Check the Layout on Paper First".
  • Test yourself on the worked example and the quick-check quiz inside the classroom.
Accessible Kitchen: Aisle and Work SurfaceRUN 24 + 1 overhang = 25 inRUN 24 + 1 overhang = 25 inCLEAR 46 inpass-through: 40 in minU-shaped: 60 in min96 in wall to wallPASS-THROUGH (CBC 11B-804.2.1)Wall to wall 96 inTwo runs: 2 x (24 + 1) = 50 inClear = 96 - 50 = 46 in46 ≥ 40 in: PASS (two entries)U-SHAPE AND WORK SURFACEU-shaped (11B-804.2.2): 60 in minSame 46 in: FAILWall to wall needed: 60 + 50 = 110 inWork surface (11B-804.3.2): 34 in maxPlan shows 36 in: lower 30 in section 2 inPass-through 46 in PASSES; as a U-shape it needs 110 in wall to wallWork-surface section: 30 in wide minimum, 34 in high maximumSource: 2025 California Building Code 11B-804 (kitchens, kitchenettes and wet bars).CC
The diagram for this lesson, exactly as it appears in the Learning Hub.

The first steps of this lesson

Step 1: When This Applies

2025 CBC 11B-212.2 says kitchens, kitchenettes and wet bars shall comply with Section 11B-804, and 11B-804.1 repeats it. The clearance rules of 11B-804.2 are waived for spaces that do not provide a cooktop or conventional range. In residential dwelling units required to comply with 11B-809, the kitchen work surface in 11B-804.3 applies. Ask the designer which kitchens are covered before you lay out the cabinet runs.

Step 2: Aisle Clearances Between Runs

In a pass-through kitchen (counters, appliances or cabinets on two opposing sides, or opposite a parallel wall), the clearance between all opposing base cabinets, countertops, appliances or walls within the kitchen work areas is 40 inches minimum, and the kitchen must have two entries (11B-804.2.1). In a U-shaped kitchen enclosed on three contiguous sides the clearance is 60 inches minimum (11B-804.2.2). Because the code lists countertops among the things measured between, measure to the countertop edge, so the overhang counts.

The remaining 3 steps, the worked example and the quiz are in the course. This is a preview. The full lesson, with the step-by-step explanations, a worked example and a quick-check quiz, is inside the classroom.

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