StandardRecommended
Cooking surface landing area (detailed)
NKBA Kitchen 17Description
≥12" of counter on one side and ≥15" on the other side of the cooking surface. Both sides should be heat-resistant.
Why this exists
The 12"/15" rule is the universal NKBA cooking-landing guideline; it's the floor below which a cook can't safely place hot pans.
Measurements
| Property | Operator | Value | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
sideOneMin | min | 12 | in | |
sideTwoMin | min | 15 | in |
Categories
Kitchen
Applies to
- Room types: kitchen
Source
NKBAno manifest entry
Kitchen Planning Guidelines (2024)
Section: Guideline 17
Published 2024-01-01 · last verified 2026-05-09
Solver enforcement
Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.
Plan symbols this applies to
These plan symbols invoke this directive when placed on a floor plan. Click any to see where it's drawn and what other rules apply to it.
Related directives
- Kitchen walkway and work-aisle widths · NKBA Kitchen 6
- Doorway clear width · NKBA Kitchen 1
- Door swing into work zones · NKBA Kitchen 2
- Distance between work zones · NKBA Kitchen 3
- Traffic through the work triangle · NKBA Kitchen 4
Last reviewed 2026-05-09.