Balancing beauty, function and fire safety in your kitchen designs.
The splashback is often where designers add a touch of 'wow' to their kitchens. But beyond aesthetics, it's essential to consider compliance, fire safety and function when dressing the walls behind cooktops. Here's a breakdown based on current NCC (National Construction Code) requirements and AS/NZS standards, along with manufacturer recommendations.
Compliance
NCC 2022 does not explicitly mandate a minimum height for splashbacks. However, it does set requirements for the fire hazard properties of wall linings, which apply to areas behind cooktops – even if not specifically referenced as 'splashbacks'.
In Part 10.4 Facilities (Volume Two), the NCC states:
- Installation requirements for certain electrical or gas cooking appliances may influence the selection of surrounding materials or the clearance to those materials.
AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 — Gas Installations
This is the standard gas fitters must adhere to, and it includes specific provisions relevant to combustible surfaces above and behind a gas cooktop:
- Rangehoods and exhaust fans must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. If different clearances are specified for the cooking appliance and the rangehood/exhaust fan, the greater clearance must be used.
- If no clearance is specified, the minimum overhead clearance must be:
- 650 mm for a rangehood, and
- 750 mm for an exhaust fan.
- If a vertical combustible surface (like a wall or cabinet side) is less than 200 mm from the edge of the nearest burner, it must be protected in line with Clause 6.10.1.2. This protection must:
- Extend at least 150 mm above the burner, and
- Cover the full width or depth of the cooking surface.
- If the cooktop has a built-in splashback that offers this protection, no additional wall protection is necessary behind it.
Note: Refer to KBDi Technical Bulletin Gas Cooktop Considerations and Clearances (available in the Members Portal) for more information regarding the above.
Appliance Manufacturer Requirements
Appliance installation manuals take precedence when their requirements are more stringent than those of the NCC or AS/NZS 5601.1.
Gas and electric cooktop manufacturers may specify:
- Minimum clearances above the hob (e.g., 600 mm for rangehoods, 450mm for cupboards).
- Minimum distances to side and rear combustible surfaces.
- Requirement for non-combustible splashbacks or wall linings if the wall is within the specified clearance zones.
You'll need to refer to the specific cooktop model's installation manual for details. Even if the NCC and AS/NZS requirements are met, you must comply with the appliance manufacturer's directions to maintain warranty and ensure safe operation.
Functionality
The splashback height is often determined by a balance of practicality and aesthetics. A 300 mm high splashback may be designed to:
- minimise visual clutter,
- align with a window, or
- work within budget constraints.
Apart from its fire protection features, the primary purpose of splashback is to shield walls from splashes, spills, and stains, especially in areas prone to moisture and food splatters (behind sinks and cooktops). Because of this, and depending on your clients' cooking styles and preferences, a height of 300 mm may not provide sufficient coverage for everyday use.
Splashback Solutions We Love
In the all-class kitchen shown above, the window ledge dictated the base height of the splashback. KBDi Member Carmel Wylie (GIA Renovations) cleverly extended the splashback behind the cooktop, creating a practical and easy-to-clean surface for the heavy-duty cooker. The organic form of the splashback beautifully echoes the curves of the rangehood shroud and the sculptural feature island, adding cohesion and visual interest to the space.
Blush-toned penny tiles bring a picture-perfect charm to this kitchen, adding softness and style. To ensure both beauty and practicality behind the cooktop, designer Jessie Stevens (SpaceCraft Joinery) introduced a seamless solution: the stone benchtop was thoughtfully extended to 150 mm along the full length of the working zone, providing an easy-care surface where it’s needed most.
The detailing in this green and serene kitchen is nothing short of divine. Designer Alicia Jeffries CKD Au, CBD Au (GIA Renovations) masterfully worked with the architectural lines of the space, allowing every element to align with intention. The Esmerelda Quartzite benchtop sweeps gracefully up the wall to meet the window sill and wraps seamlessly around the cooktop zone. This elegant design move showcases the beauty of the natural stone and the precision of the planning.
This stunning kitchen by Danielle Bonello-Dunsford (Danielle Victoria Design Studio) is a superb example of designing with alignment and flow in mind. The benchtop material elegantly fills the space beneath the window and continues seamlessly around the room, striking a perfect balance between style and functionality.
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