The Ontario Building Code | Protection Around Cooktops
9.10.22.3. Protection Around Cooktops
(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), combustiblewall framing, finishes or cabinets within 450 mm of the area where the cooktop is to be located shall be protected above the level of the heating elements or burners by material providing fire resistance not less than that of a 9.5 mm thickness of gypsum board.
(2) Countertop splash boards or back plates that extend above the level of the heating elements or burners need not be protected as described in Sentence (1).
(3) Except for cabinetry described in Article 9.10.22.2., cabinetry located not less than 450 mm above the level of the heating elements or burners need not be protected as described in Sentence (1).
Section 9.11. Sound Control
9.11.1. Sound Transmission Class Rating (Airborne Sound)
In Plain Language
Combustible materials around cooktops must be protected as set out in this article, reducing the risk that nearby cabinets or walls ignite from cooking heat.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.