confused about spacing around freestanding cooker

Well it does

appear that Bushboard suggest a gap of 20mm between the appliance and worksurface and this is the information as it appears on

their website:

Someone wrote:

Free standing cookers
When installing worktops where a free standing cooker is to

be used, the worktop surface must be below the top edge of the appliance to stop any transference of heat to the surface,

which may result in damage to the worktop. Also there should be a gap of minimum 20mm between the appliance and the edge of

the worktop.

I will invite them to respond to the post but I find it difficult to comprehend how

they expect this to be adhered to given the unsightly visual aspect and the impractical issues a gap this size would create.

My solution here has been to apply a metal edging strip to the worktop edges adjacent the appliance and to leave an

overall space 5mm wider than the appliance but maybe I have invalidated guarantees with this method and it will be interesting

to hear the response.
I know this doesn’t help your immediate situation Alec but it is certainly an issue that requires

clarification and I will ask for a quick response.

Tim

Thanks for your reply Tim and for chasing Bushboard about this. Would still be very interested in Bushboards reply as

things are taking longer than I thought and I’ve still to reach the cooker!!

Regards
Alec

Well, as

promised Bushboard have provided the following response which was very kindly offered by their Commercial Director, Neil

Horton.

To quote,

Someone wrote:

The question refers to proximity of a worktop to freestanding cooker.

Obviously the consumer must engage a suitably qualified engineer to install the appliance whether it be gas or electric.

Our stiplulation for an air gap refers to heat generated by the appliance. I must primarily defer to advice from the on

site installation engineer regarding combustable materials near the cooker and design in question. However protecting the

sealed and laminated end of the worktop with an aluminium endcap will help protect the worktop should the end user prefer to

close the air gap.

I then followed this up to Neil with the following question,

Would the

utilisation of aluminium end caps on Bushboard laminate surfaces invalidate the guarantee offered if fitted between 1-5mm

adjacent a freestanding cooker?

His response:

Someone wrote:

Assuming that the installer is happy with the

installation, the chipboard core is fully sealed against moisture by laminating it with the edge strip before applying the end

cap, the cooker is functioning correctly and that the correct sized pans are used for each hob burner then I would include

the installation within the terms of our guarantee.

We are a very reasonable company and always view guarantee claims

in an honest and fair minded manner. Obviously onus falls in some measure to the installer(s) to take reasonable steps to

install safely, legally and with a mind to longevity of the furniture. Also the consumer has a responsibility to maintain the

furniture to good levels not just to his supplier, but also to their lovely new kitchen!!.

Well,

that appears to give you the green light Alec and I wish to thank Neil for providing clarification and a good answer on this

important point.
His response highlights the importance an installer plays in the correct installation of a kitchen and it

pays to hire the services of one who has the relevant certification and skills to fit your kitchen.

Tim