| Indivo Special Needs Kitchen and Accessories |
Kitchen Work Triangle |
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The type of kitchen to choose depends on the kitchen user’s physical capacity. The work triangle tells us the most important distances in the kitchen. |
| The Work Triangle |
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The work triangle The work triangle is a tool used in determining the appropriateness of a particular kitchen design. It is constructed by connecting up the central points of the sink, the hob, and the refrigerator so they form a triangle. Then we determine the circumference of that triangle, which gives us the total work distance in the kitchen. As a rule of thumb, the total distance between sink, hob and refrigerator should be somewhere within 3600-6600 mm. The distance between sink and hob should be 1200-2000 mm. And the work triangle as such should not be crossed by any line of traffic. Linear kitchen Linear kitchen design is unsuitable for wheelchair users, as the distances between workstations are too great. This kitchen model is not practical when several persons need to work there at the same time. The linear kitchen is often chosen where the available space is small, and when the kitchen does not have a very high priority - for example in sheltered housing where food is delivered or where food is eaten in a communal dining room. Double linear (parallel) kitchen This design is not suitable for wheelchair users and the walking-impaired because food and cooking utensils must be moved from one working top to the other. The double linear kitchen is often used where the kitchen has a door at both ends, and is not recommended for anyone with a physical disability. Kitchen designs with islands should also be avoided. The L-shape The L-shaped kitchen is suitable for both wheelchair users and for those who have difficulty walking, because the triangular arrangement provides continuity between the individual workstations. Food and cooking utensils can be moved across the countertop, thus avoiding lifting. The L-shaped design is used, for example, in large kitchens where more than one person may be working in the kitchen at once. The U-shape The U-shaped kitchen provides good connectivity where there is a need for extra workstations. This arrangement shortens distances and concentrates workstations. The food and cooking utensils can be drawn across the counter to avoid lifting. The U-shaped installation is used, for example, in large kitchens where more than one person may be working in the kitchen at once.
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Work triangle in a linear kitchen |
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Work triangle in a double linear kitchen |
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Work triangle in L-Shaped Kitchen |
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Work triangle in a U-Shaped Kitchen |
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