Ensure

• B4.5 .1.

  the kitchen is located where it is easily accessed from inside and outside eating areas, and can be accessed by people with disabilities

• B4.5 .2.

  minimum 1550mm diameter clearance between workbenches or in front of appliances to ensure suitable manoeuvrability

• B4.5 .3.

  the access to the kitchen is not near the access to bathroom and toilet areas

• B4.5 .4.

  the kitchen has natural light and ventilation

• B4.5 .5.

  there is adequate bench space and high level (above bench height) storage

• B4.5 .6.

  there is enough space for a combined fridge and freezer to be stored in the kitchen, and it is not located on an external wall likely to be heated by the sun

• B4.5 .7.

  to specify an easy-to-clean wall surface from floor to underside of benches or cupboards, such as sheet vinyl or large ceramic tiles

• B4.5 .8.

  there is waterproofing to the floor, the floor-wall junctions and junctions with to the underside of cupboards and area behind the kitchen sink

• B4.5 .9.

  to provide a space for a kitchen rubbish bin that features a secure lid, can be lined is safely located away from young children and is not easily accessed by dogs or vermin

• B4.5 .10.

  the location of any outdoor cooking area is protected from extreme weather conditions, such as winter winds and summer sun

Consider

For indoor cooking areas, consider:

• shading or protecting the kitchen from hot afternoon sun
• allowing enough space for a chest freezer to be stored in or near the kitchen
• using non-slip water proof flooring, such as a welded sheet vinyl
• supplying non-tempered hot water at the kitchen sink (approximately 55ºC) to help flush grease and fats through the waste pipes
• providing a separate tap for supplying rainwater at the kitchen sink
• providing a floor waste outlet to help when cleaning the kitchen
• selecting and locating power points, switches, stove controls and taps to allow people with disabilities to reach and use them.

For verandahs and yard kitchens, consider:

• providing a robust, waterproof bench, finished in a material like stainless steel
• including a sink or tub with running water and connected to the drainage system, for washing food and utensils
• providing high shelves to store food and utensils safely away from children, sheltered from the weather and able to protect food from scavenging animals and vermin,
• creating a dry, secure place to store fire wood that is well away from the walls of the house to reduce fire risk and termite attack
• providing a place to cook, such as a barbeque, fire pit or drum oven, ideally using a different fuel from the inside stove
• supplying a secure storage area for the rubbish bin to deposit food scraps and kitchen waste
• making a sheltered place to eat
• providing a slip resistant path between indoors and the outdoor cooking area, which is accessible to people with disabilities.

Real world examples of Solutions

• Outside kitchen areas are important in rural and remote housing

• the kitchen is located where it is easily accessed from inside and outside eating areas, and can be accessed by people with disabilities
  

  When: SKETCH DESIGN

• the access to the kitchen is not near the access to bathroom and toilet areas
  

  When: SKETCH DESIGN

• the kitchen has natural light and ventilation
  

  When: SKETCH DESIGN
  AT HANDOVER

• there is adequate bench space and high level (above bench height) storage
  

  When: SKETCH DESIGN

• there is enough space for a combined fridge and freezer to be stored in the kitchen, and it is not located on an external wall likely to be heated by the sun
  

  When: SKETCH DESIGN
  AT HANDOVER

• in the kitchen, specify an easy-to-clean wall surface from floor to underside of benches or cupboards, such as sheet vinyl or large ceramic tiles
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  AT HANDOVER

• there is waterproofing to the floor, the floor-wall junctions and junctions with the underside of cupboards and area behind the kitchen sink
  

  When: COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION
  DURING CONSTRUCTION
  TRADE TEST

• to provide a space for a kitchen rubbish bin that features a secure lid, can be lined is safely located away from young children and is not easily accessed by dogs or vermin
  

  When: SKETCH DESIGN
  COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION

• the location of any outdoor cooking area is protected from extreme weather conditions, such as winter winds and summer sun
  

  When: SKETCH DESIGN
  COMPLETED DESIGN & SPECIFICATION

Wright, A. 2006 Review of the robust bin in 5 sites across WA. Centre for Appropriate Technology and Department of Housing and Works.

Centre for Appropriate Technology ‘Drum Oven’ http://www.icat.org.au/documents/drum_oven.pdf#search=%22drum%20oven%22