Kitchens must have a clear passageway of how many feet minimum between counter fronts and appliances?

The minimum clear passageway of 3 feet between counter fronts and appliances in kitchens is crucial for functional use and safety. This distance ensures that individuals can move freely and work efficiently in the kitchen space without obstruction. A passageway of 3 feet allows enough room for one person to maneuver comfortably while carrying items, navigating around appliances, or accessing storage spaces. In smaller kitchen layouts, maintaining this distance is especially important to prevent collisions between people while ensuring that the space is not overcrowded.

Wider passageways, such as 5 feet or more, while beneficial in larger kitchens, may not be necessary for standard residential or commercial settings unless the layout is specifically designed for that kind of flow and maximized use of space. The established standard of 3 feet strikes an effective balance between functionality and space management.