Technical Memorandum TM 2012-09 Employee Break Rooms

TM 2012-09

Employee Break Rooms

Effective Date: January 22, 2013

2012 TAS Reference: 212 and 804

In accordance with TAS 106.5.28, kitchenettes and break rooms are not employee work areas; therefore, they must be accessible and must be designed and constructed to comply with TAS.

With Cooking Facilities

An employee break room with fixed or built-in range cooking facilities shall comply with the requirements of 212 and 804 for kitchens and kitchenettes. The term "kitchen" and "kitchenette" shall be used interchangeably.

Cooking Facilities: Fixed or built-in range, cooktop, oven, microwave, or convection oven.

Fixed or Built-In: Appliance is attached to a cabinet, shelf, or wall; connected to plumbing or gas; or hardwired to electricity.

Example

The break room shown in the illustration has a counter, sink, built-in cooking facility (microwave), and storage. The following is a general analysis of the compliance requirements for these elements.

• Storage: Must comply with 804.5 and 811.

• Kitchen Sink: Must comply with 804.4 and 606. Parallel approach allowed to kitchen sink since no cooktop or conventional range is provided based on 606.2, Exception 1.

• Counter: Compliance not required except as required by 606 for the sink or as required by 804.3 for residential dwelling units.

• Appliances: Must comply with 804.6.

This example and analysis is only general in nature and not intended to imply that break rooms are exempt other requirements of TAS.

An employee break room without fixed or built-in range cooking facilities is not considered a kitchen or kitchenette; therefore, they are not subject to compliance with the requirements of 212 and 804. The break room, however, shall comply with applicable provisions of TAS based on the elements provided.

Example

The break room shown in the illustration has a counter, sink, movable appliance (countertop microwave), and storage. The following is a general analysis of the compliance requirements for these elements.

• Storage: Must comply with 225 and 811.

• Sink: Must comply with 212.3 and 606. Forward approach required to sink even if no cooktop or conventional range is provided since 606.2, Exception 1, is applicable only to kitchen sinks and wetbars.

• Counter: Compliance not required except as required by 606 for the sink.

• Appliances: Compliance not required.

This example and analysis is only general in nature and not intended to imply that break rooms are exempt other requirements of TAS.