Safety guide

Guida alla sicurezza

Valcucine S.p.A. - Via L.Savio, 11 - 33170 (PORDENONE) - ITALY Tel. +39 0434 517911 Fax +39 0434 572344 - www.valcucine.it [email protected]


SAFETY GUIDE

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INDEX

PART ONE SAFE FURNITURE INSTALLATION

1. FIXING THE FURNITURE TO THE WALL

2. FIXING THE FURNITURE TO THE FLOOR

2A. JOINING WORK ISLAND PARTS TOGETHER

3. FIXING THE FURNITURE TO THE CEILING

4. FIXING WALL-HUNG FURNITURE TO THE WALL

5. A TRADESMAN FOR EVERY JOB

PART TWOA SAFE KITCHEN FOR CHILDREN

1. SAFE KITCHEN FURNITURE INSTALLATION FOR CHILDREN

2. OTHER RISKY SITUATIONS

Pag. 83

Pag. 85

Pag. 95

Pag. 99

Pag. 104

Pag. 107

Pag. 125

Pag. 129

Pag. 131

Pag. 147

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The accidents that occur in our homes contrast with the way we usually consider them, i.e. as the safest places on earth. It is this basic idea that makes it difficult to clearly perceive the risks and dangers lurking in our homes. These risks are often underestimated even by adults; accidents in the home, that don’t spare any age group, are the main cause of death amongst children.The kitchen is the room in the home where the greatest number of accidents occur and these are often due to wrong furniture installation.This manual has been prepared for the installer, but also for the end user, and contains useful advice to prevent accidents, even serious ones, in our homes.

SAFETY GUIDE

81

FOR CORRECT AND SAFE FURNITURE INSTALLATION, AS WELL AS CAREFULLY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THIS MAN-UAL, WE SUGGEST YOU CONSULT THE “VALCUCINE ASSEM-BLY INSTRUCTION SHEETS”. IN ANY CASE, INSTALLATION MUST BE CARRIED OUT BY SKILLED TRADESMEN ONLY

VALCUCINE S.P.A. DECLINES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR POS-SIBLE DAMAGES CAUSED BY WRONG PRODUCT INSTALLATION DUE TO NON-COMPLIANCE TO THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE “VALCUCINE ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS SHEETS” AND IN THIS BOOKLET.

PART ONESAFE FURNITURE INSTALLATION

All furniture, no matter whether it is floor-standing or wall-hung, must be properly fixed to the walls, to the floor (in the event of work islands) or to the ceiling (free-standing bookcases). Valcucine’s base, tower, cupboard units and bookcases have an anchoring system that prevents them from capsizing if they are overloaded or if people (usually children) climb or stand on them to reach objects situated higher up. This chapter gives the installer the information and advice necessary to install the furniture cor-rectly and safely.Valcucine advices the end user to check that all parts have been correctly assembled to prevent domestic accidents, especially if there are children in the home.

83

When furniture is fixed to the wall, the wall must be drilled. Before drilling it is very important to check, using the special wall scanner, that there are no electric wires or pipes located in that specific area to prevent drilling holes into the plumbing or into an electric cable.

ATTENTION:

1. FIXING THE FURNITURE TO THE WALL

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86

Base units fitted with drawers and jumbo drawers must be fixed to the wall using capsize-prevention safety brackets. These are pre-assembled onto 60cm deep base units only. They must be fitted onto 65cm or 80cm deep base units before standing them against the wall. If the unit is to be assembled leaving a non-standard gap between itself and the wall, a spacer must be fixed to the interior side panel of the base unit and the capsize-prevention bracket must be applied to it. It is mandatory to fix base units to the wall to prevent them from capsizing when heavy jumbo drawers full of objects are opened.

FIXING BASE UNITS TO THE WALL

Kitchen fitted with base units that are not fixed to the wall. The units may topple over when jumbo drawers and drawers are opened.

Kitchen with base units fixed to the wall using spe-cial capsize-prevention brackets. Even if drawers and jumbo drawers are fully opened, the units re-main firmly anchored to the wall.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

87

As is true of base units, tower units must also be fixed to the wall to avoid accidental capsizing. To make this easy, all Valcucine’s tower units are fitted with a capsize-prevention device.If the tower unit is to be assembled leaving a non-standard gap between itself and the wall, a spacer must be fixed to the interior side panel of the unit and the capsize-prevention device must be applied to it. It is mandatory to fix tower units to the wall to prevent them from capsizing when the pullout doors with racks full of objects are opened.

Kitchen fitted with tower units that are not fixed to the wall: it may capsize if pullouts are opened.

Kitchen with tower units fixed to the wall using special brackets: even if the pullout door is open and is full of objects, the tower units remain an-chored to the wall regardless.

FIXING TOWER UNITS TO THE WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

88

To prevent accidental capsizing of the 8mm bookcase it must be fixed to the wall.To make this easy, all Valcucine’s bookcases are fitted with a capsize-prevention device.

The 8mm bookcase is not fixed to the wall: it may capsize under stress.

The 8mm bookcase is fixed to the wall using the special capsize-prevention device. Even under stress it remains firmly anchored to the wall.

FIXING THE 8mm BOOKCASE TO THE WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

89

The Fratavolo table can be provided with a stabiliser at the base of the legs. The Fratavolo table without a stabiliser must be fixed to the wall or to the equipped back section (after having checked that they are sturdy enough to prevent the table from overturning). In the event of plasterboard walls, we suggest you add a strengthening and supporting frame inside the wall in the area the table will be fixed to.The Fratavolo table provided with legs with a stabiliser does not need to be fixed to the wall.

If the Fratavolo table with legs but without a stabi-liser is not properly fixed to the wall, proper stabil-ity cannot be guaranteed.

A) The Fratavolo table without a stabiliser must be properly fixed to the wall to prevent stability problems. B) The Fratavolo table provided with a stabiliser does not need to be fixed to the wall.

FIXING THE FRATAVOLO TABLE

PROBLEM SOLUTION A (Fratavolo table without a stabiliser)

SOLUTION B (Fratavolo table with a stabiliser)

90

FIXING THE WALL PANELLING TO THE WALL

The wall panelling can be used in many ways and can be subjected to many loads. It is important to check the type of wall to which it will be fixed and the weight that it will have to support; the aim is to choose the most suitable type of fixing method by consulting the “types of fixings” section on pages 108-109-116. If you want to hang ovens to the wall panelling it will be necessary to check that the wall is a load-bearing one.

Wall panelling that isn’t fixed to the wall properly may overturn under stress.

The wall panelling fixed to the wall using the slot-ted brackets and screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of wall will remain firmly anchored even if subjected to stress.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

91

To prevent cupboard units with sliding doors from capsizing (this may hap-pen when full-extension jumbo drawers full of objects are opened) it is nec-essary to fix the unit to the wall using the capsize-prevention brackets sup-plied and screws.

FIXING THE CUPBOARD UNIT WITH SLIDING DOORS TO THE WALL

The cupboard unit is not fixed to the wall. It may capsize when drawers and jumbo drawers are opened.

The cupboard unit must be fixed to the wall using the special capsize-prevention brackets. Even when drawers and jumbo drawers are opened, the cupboard unit remains firmly anchored to the wall.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

92

The ergonomic New Logica system is capable of containing and concealing, when necessary, all the equipment used in the kitchen. It is composed of an aluminium structure that must be anchored to the wall by means of brackets fixed to the rear uprights and using screws with screw plugs suitable for the type of material of which the wall is made.

If the system is not properly fixed to the wall, by opening the full-extension jumbo drawers full of objects, it may topple over.

By fixing the rear uprights to the wall using the special brackets the New Logica System remains firmly anchored to the wall.

FIXING THE NEW LOGICA SYSTEM

PROBLEM SOLUTION

93

The base units of the ergonomic New Logica System must be fixed to the bottom of the carcass by means of the special brackets. If the base units are in glass, fix the brackets through the holes drilled in the side panels of the glass base units to this purpose.

If the base units are not properly fixed to the alu-minium carcass, by opening the jumbo drawers full of objects, they may topple over.

By fixing the base units to the carcass of the New Logica System a single volume is created that re-mains firmly anchored to the wall.

FIXING THE BASE UNITS OF THE NEW LOGICA SYSTEM

PROBLEM SOLUTION

Before fixing the base units to the floor always check, using the special wall scanner, that there are no electric wires or plumbing in the area where the holes are to be drilled to anchor the base units to the floor. Moreover, it is necessary to use the best type of fixing for the floor and this must be chosen depending on whether underfloor heating is installed (see page 98).

ATTENTION:

2. FIXING THE FURNITURE TO THE FLOOR

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96

The free-standing work islands must be fixed to the floor using the capsize-prevention brackets supplied with the kitchen. The brackets must be fixed to the bottom of the base unit using the screws supplied. This is mandatory to prevent it from capsizing when full-extension jumbo drawers full of objects are opened. It is important to use the best type of fixing for the floor, taking great care especially if underfloor heating is installed. If it should be impossible to fix the kitchen to the floor, we suggest you install base units with doors (see page 98).

FIXING 63, 80, 96, 120CM DEEP BASE UNITS FOR WORK ISLANDS TO THE FLOOR

Work island fitted with base units that are not fixed to the floor. The island may topple over when jumbo drawers and drawers are opened.

Work island with base units fixed to the floor using special capsize-prevention brackets. The work island will not topple over, even when full-extension jumbo drawers are opened.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

97

The various work island versions that can be fitted with an equipped back section, a breakfast bar, or both must be fixed to the floor using the capsize-prevention brackets supplied with the kitchen. The brackets must be fixed to the rear of the base unit in the service gap. This is mandatory to prevent the island from capsizing when all the jumbo drawers are opened. It is important to use the best type of fixing for the type of floor (see page 98) taking great care especially if underfloor heating is installed.

FIXING BASE UNITS FOR WORK ISLANDS WITH FLOOR-STANDING BACK PANELS TO THE FLOOR

Work island fitted with base units that are not fixed to the floor. It may capsize when drawers and jumbo drawers are opened.

Work island with base units fixed to the floor us-ing special capsize-prevention brackets. The work island will remain anchored to the floor, even when the full-extension jumbo drawers are opened.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

98

sleeve anchor

threaded rod

Capsize-prevention bracket

anchor gun

40/5

0mm

Ø 10mm hole

threaded rod

anchor gun

Capsize-prevention bracket

10/2

0m

m

Ø 20mm hole

If there is no underfloor heating system, to fix the capsize-prevention brackets you can drill a 40/45mm deep hole through the screed (excluding the thickness of the tile or of the paving in wood or in a different material) using a Ø10mm bit. E.g.: if the floor is made of bricks it is necessary to use sleeve anchors, tightening the threaded rod after having filled the plug with the chemical anchor supplied.

Usually, the pipes of the heating system are installed 40mm below the top edge of the screed. If there is an underfloor heating system, drill Ø20mm holes, 10/20mm deep, through the screed (excluding the thickness of the tile or of the paving in wood or in a different material). Use the threaded rod after having filled the Ø20mm hole with the chemical anchor. If the un-derfloor heating system is of the lowered screed type in which the pipes of the system are less than 10mm from the upper edge of the screed, or if the heating system doesn’t require a screed but just the flooring, we suggest you use free-standing units with doors, without jumbo drawers, because they can’t be fixed to the floor.Valcucine’s tests certify that this type of fixing is guaranteed for screeds with properties that correspond to, or are superior to, those of C12/15 concrete (low resistance class) without cracks and mature.

2) Fixing the kitchen to the floor with a heating system

1) Fixing the kitchen to the floor without a heating system

TYPES OF FIXINGS

The free-standing work island can be composed, as well as of base units, of other elements such as: the breakfast bar, the steel equipped back section or the aluminium or stone equipped back section.For additional safety, all the island parts must be fixed securely together so as to form a single volume. This must then be fixed to the floor as described on the preceding pages.

2A. JOINING WORK ISLAND PARTS TOGETHER

ATTENTION:

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100

As well as standing on sturdy feet, the steel back section must also be an-chored to the kitchen base units using the capsize-prevention brackets lo-cated on the rear. This is indispensable to prevent it from capsizing if it were accidentally pulled outwards.

If the equipped back section is not fixed to the base units it may come away and topple over onto the floor.

The equipped back section, when fixed to the base units using the special capsize-prevention brack-ets, remains firmly anchored even under stress.

WORK ISLAND: FIXING THE STEEL BACK SECTION TO THE BASE UNIT

PROBLEM SOLUTION

101

The stone back section must be anchored to the base units of the arrange-ment by means of special brackets to prevent it from capsizing if someone or something should accidentally knock against it. The capsize-prevention brackets must be fixed to the back of the base unit side panel.

If the stone back section is not secured to the base units it may capsize.

The stone equipped back section, when fixed to the base units using the special brackets, doesn’t over-turn even under stress.

WORK ISLAND: FIXING THE STONE BACK SECTION TO THE BASE UNIT

PROBLEM SOLUTION

102

The breakfast bar has been designed to support considerable loads and to carry heavy objects. To prevent it from capsizing it must be firmly secured to the base units of the work island. Inside the breakfast bar there is a metal support that connects the back panel to the top and that is used to fix the capsize-prevention brackets that will be connected to the profile that is al-ready applied to the back of the base units.

WORK ISLAND: FIXING THE BREAKFAST BAR TO THE BASE UNIT

The breakfast bar is not securely anchored to the back of the base units. If stressed by heavy loads or by a person leaning on it, it may topple over onto the floor.

The breakfast bar is anchored to the base units: it doesn’t capsize, even if stressed by heavy loads.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

103

WORK ISLAND: FIXING THE BREAKFAST BAR TO THE EQUIPPED BACK SECTION

aluminium equipped back section

If an equipped back section is fitted between the breakfast bar and the base units, the breakfast bar must be fixed securely to the aluminium profiles pre-viously applied to the back section by means of the brackets, and fixed to the joining brackets with the base unit back panels.

The breakfast bar is not fixed securely to the equipped back section. If stressed by heavy loads it may topple over onto the floor.

The breakfast bar is anchored to the equipped back section: it doesn’t capsize, even if stressed by heavy loads.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

Before drilling the ceiling we suggest you check, using the special scanner, whether elec-tric wires are running in the area where the hole is to be drilled.

ATTENTION:

3. FIXING THE FURNITURE TO THE CEILING

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105

To prevent accidental capsizing of the 8mm two-sided bookcase it must be fixed to the ceiling. To make this easy, all Valcucine’s bookcases come with a capsize-prevention device. Screws and screw plugs suitable for the material of which the ceiling is composed must be used.

The two-sided bookcase is not anchored to the ceiling: it may capsize under the slightest stress.

The two-sided bookcase is fixed to the ceiling us-ing the special fixing device: it won’t capsize even if accidentally knocked against or stressed to reach objects located in the top shelves.

FIXING THE TWO-SIDED BOOKCASE TO THE CEILING

PROBLEM SOLUTION

In this chapter, we have divided the furniture into two categories: units deeper than 35cm and units less than or equal to 35cm deep. The types of furniture fixings available, depending on whether they will be hung onto a load-bearing or onto a non load-bearing wall, will be examined in detail on the following pages. The type of wall must be determined by a skilled tradesman.Generally speaking, if a unit deeper than 35cm is hung onto a load-bearing wall, it must be supported by brackets fixed using screw plugs. If the same unit is fixed to a non load-bearing wall, feet must be applied to the supporting structure of the base units so that part of its weight is supported by the floor. In any case, the installer should “try out” the kitchen after installing it, by opening and closing the drawers and jumbo drawers after having overloaded them.

4. FIXING WALL-HUNG FURNITURE TO THE WALL

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DEPTH OF UNIT GREATER THAN 35cm: INSTALLATION ON A LOAD-BEARING WALL

1) Installation on a load-bearing concrete wall

This type of wall is an excellent guarantee for stur-dy wall hanging of furniture. Special screws and screw plugs must be used.

Generally speaking, units deeper than 35cm can only be hung to load-bearing walls (if the wall is not load-bearing, feet will be required, see page 116). Load-bearing walls are those that can never be removed because they make up the load-bearing structure of the building.The load-bearing walls offer the best guarantee for units that must be supported by brackets fixed using specific screw plugs depending on the material of which the wall is composed. Before installing wall-hung units, a skilled tradesman must check what the wall is made of and choose the most suitable type of anchoring device.

The following types of walls will be examined in this chapter:1) installation on a load-bearing concrete wall2) installation on a load-bearing brick wall3) installation on a load-bearing wooden wall

If the units are hung onto a load-bearing wall covered by a curtain wall, the screw plugs must be long enough to reach the load-bearing wall.

For more technical information regarding wall fixing problems we suggest you consult the Fischer general catalogue; it can be requested by calling the freephone number or downloaded from their website.

108

3) Installation on a load-bearing wooden wall

It’s possible to fix the furniture using brackets anchored by specific screws for wood (6x60) to a wall having a single load-bearing, wood lami-nate structure.If the structure is a wooden framework, it will be necessary to add some reinforcements where necessary and then fix the supporting brackets to these.

2) Installation on a load-bearing brick wall

top view air brick

perf.screw plug

chemical anchor

screw

INSTALLATION USING A PERFORATED SCREW PLUG

Special screws and screw plugs must also be used to fix units to an air brick wall. If the units are 80cm deep and 36cm or 24cm high (these units are very heavy to support), Valcucine recommends the use of perforated screw plugs for chemical anchors (see drawing on the side). A special anchoring agent is injected inside the screw plugs; it then oozes out of the small holes in the plug and fills the empty spaces in the bricks. The screw that fixes the sup-porting bracket is then inserted in the screw plug.

109

110

top alum. profile

special Valcucine furniture hanger

Once a skilled tradesman has established that the wall to which the furniture is to be hung is a load-bearing one, it is possible to proceed by fixing the steel L-shaped hangers. The L-shaped hangers must be placed:- at the sides of the arrangement, flush with the upper aluminium profile, mak-ing sure that they also support the end side, - where two base units meet.

FIXING THE WALL-HUNG BASE UNITS TO A LOAD-BEARING WALL

Wall-hung units on a load-bearing wall: if they are not properly fixed to the wall using the spe-cial supports, they may come away from the wall if full-extension jumbo drawers full of objects are opened.

Kitchen with base units fixed to the wall using spe-cial profiles and supports. The units will remain anchored to the wall even when the full-extension jumbo drawers full of objects are opened.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

111

The H12 wall-hung base units can only be applied to load-bearing walls and not to interior curtain walls. The H12 base units must be placed on an aluminium framework installed on top of L-shaped supports fixed to the wall using screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of material of which the wall is composed. Valcucine supplies a back panel that must be fitted below the framework to conceal the L-shaped supports.

The H12 base units are fixed to the wall using brackets: due to the depth-height ratio of the base units, they are subject to considerable tensile stress that may make them come away from the wall and topple over.

The H12 base units are fixed to a load-bearing wall using special supports that counteract the tensile stress on the screw plug. The base unit remains firmly anchored to the wall.

FIXING THE H12 WALL-HUNG BASE UNITS TO A LOAD-BEARING WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

112

top alum. profile

steel L-shaped support

Tower units can also be hung to a load-bearing wall. They must be fixed at the top to the horizontal profiles attached to the wall while the bottom must rest on the L-shaped supports installed below them. The supports must be placed: - at the sides of the arrangement, checking that part of the side panel is sup-ported by the hanger.- where two tower units meet.

FIXING THE WALL-HUNG TOWER UNITS TO A LOAD-BEARING WALL

Wall-hung tower units: if they are not properly fixed to the wall by means of the specific supports, they may come away from the wall and topple over.

The tower units are fixed to the wall using the spe-cial profiles and L-shaped supports. They remain firmly anchored to the wall even under the stress of heavy loads.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

113

Before installing wall-hung ovens, a skilled tradesman must check what the wall is made of and choose the most suitable type of anchoring device. The base units for wall-hung ovens can only be applied to load-bearing walls and must be fixed using suitable supports.

FIXING WALL-HUNG OVENS TO A LOAD-BEARING WALL

The base units for ovens are fixed to a load-bearing wall without the use of special supports anchored by suitable screw plugs. Wrong installation may cause the oven base units to come away from the wall and topple over.

Base units for ovens fixed to a load-bearing wall using supports and brackets anchored by suitable screw plugs. The oven base units remains firmly anchored to the wall.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

114

The wall-hung cupboard unit with pullout sliding doors is very large and can contain a great quantity of objects; if these are added to its own specific weight, it can become very heavy. The wall must be checked to ascertain that it is able to support the weight of the cupboard unit.

If a support is not installed at the base of the unit, it may come away from the wall and fall on top of the underlying units.

To fix the cupboard unit correctly, the L-shaped supports provided must be used (at the base of the unit) as well as the wall unit fixing bars; these must be fixed using screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of wall.

FIXING WALL-HUNG CUPBOARD UNITS TO A LOAD-BEARING WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

115

Before fixing the desk to the wall it is necessary to make sure that the wall is capable of supporting its load as well as that of any other objects (e.g. a computer) that may be placed on top of it. The desk must be placed on an aluminium framework fixed to the wall using screws and screw plugs suit-able for the type of material of which the wall is composed.

The desk is fixed to the wall using unsuitable screw plugs.

The desk is fixed using the special steel support with screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of wall.

FIXING THE WALL-HUNG DESK TO A LOAD-BEARING WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

DEPTH OF UNITS GREATER THAN 35 cm: INSTALLATION ON NON LOAD-BEARING WALLS

1) Installation on a brick partition wall

1) Installation on a plasterboard partition wall

To install wall-hung base units on this type of wall, it is indispensable to use screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of wall as well as to fit feet to the base unit supporting structure so that some of the weight is supported by the floor (it is advisable to fit the feet so that the maximum distance between them is 120cm).

To fix the units to a brick partition, screw plugs suit-able for this type of wall must be used.

Due to the fact that plasterboard is particularly crum-bly, special screw plugs must be used to fix a unit to this type of material.Screw plugs for plasterboard have been designed to be fixed securely so that they don’t rotate during the expansion and tightening phase. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to strengthen the plasterboard in the area where the unit will be fixed.

116

117

alum. supp. foot

top alum. profile


To install wall-hung base units on non load-bearing walls, feet must be ap-plied to the supporting structure of the base units so that part of the weight is supported by the floor. In fact, non load-bearing walls aren’t very thick (they are usually made of air bricks) because they aren’t constructed to support heavy loads. The wall may collapse making the kitchen topple over.

The kitchen is fixed to a non load-bearing wall with-out the help of feet and without the aid of screw plugs suitable for the type of wall: the kitchen may topple over.

The kitchen is fixed to a non load-bearing wall us-ing special supports and feet: it doesn’t capsize, even if stressed by heavy loads.

FIXING WALL-HUNG BASE UNITS TO A NON LOAD-BEARING WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

118

alum. supp. foot

top alum. profile


Tower units can be hung onto a non load-bearing wall as long as feet are fit-ted in the L-shaped supports. The tower units must also be fixed at the top to the horizontal profiles secured to the wall and made to rest on the L-shaped supports at the bottom. The supports must be placed: - at the sides of the arrangement, checking that part of the side panel is sup-ported by the bracket.- where two tower units meet.

FIXING THE WALL-HUNG TOWER UNITS TO A NON LOAD-BEARING WALL

Tower units hung onto a non load-bearing wall: if they are not properly fixed to the wall by means of the specific supports and feet they may come away from the wall and topple over.

The tower units are fixed to the wall using special profiles, L-shaped supports and feet: even if they are stressed by heavy load, the tower units remain an-chored to the wall.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

119

special support that reaches the floor to bear its weight

The desk can also be hung onto non load-bearing walls as long as special vertical profiles, reaching the floor that bears the weight and that are fixed to the wall with screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of material of which the wall is composed, are used to support the aluminium framework. The vertical profiles will then be concealed by a back panel.

The desk is fixed to a non load-bearing wall without using special supports.

The desk is fixed to the non load-bearing wall using special steel supports and screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of wall.

FIXING THE WALL-HUNG DESK TO A LOAD-BEARING WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

120

DEPTH OF UNITS LESS OR GREATER THAN 35cm: INSTALLATION ON LOAD-BEARING AND NON LOAD-BEARING WALLS

Furniture that is less than or equal to 35cm deep can be hung both on load-bearing walls and on non load-bearing walls. It is however necessary to use fixing screws suitable for the material of which the wall is composed (see pages 108, 109, 116).

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1mm

The wall units must be attached to the wall unit fixing bar that has previously been fixed using screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of wall (see pages 108, 109, 116). It is advisable to use only the wall unit fixing bars sup-plied by Valcucine that have safety devices to prevent accidental detachment. The fixings must be adjusted so that they are all under tension with the bars fixed to the wall and so that the weight of the wall unit does not rest on an underlying back panel, if installed. This will give you the certainty that the hook completely penetrates the fixing.

FIXING THE WALL UNITS

If the bars are not all under tension with the wall unit fixing bars or if the wall unit is resting on the underlying back panel, it may come away from the fixing bar.

If the wall unit is correctly attached to the fixing bar supplied by Valcucine it will remain firmly an-chored to the wall.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

122

EXTRACTOR HOODS: WALL OR CEILING HUNG

Hoods can be very heavy therefore, before installing them it is always wise to ask a skilled trades-man to check the wall or ceiling to choose the most suitable type of anchoring device to use (see pages 108, 109, 116).

123

Before fixing the hood to the wall it is necessary to make sure that the wall is capable of supporting its load; it is always advisable to ask a skilled tradesman to do this. Hoods can be anchored to the wall using wall unit fixing bars and relevant fixings or directly to the wall using the hangers supplied with the hood.

If the hood is not fixed to the wall properly it may come away and topple over.

If the hood is anchored to the wall using suitable screws, screw plugs and fixings, even if it is very heavy, it will not come away from the wall.

FIXING THE HOODS TO THE WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

124

120

120

120

Before installing the Rondine hood, check that the ceiling to which the hood will be hung is suitable to support this type of load. If it isn’t, the ceiling may collapse and the hood, even if it is subjected to a small amount of stress, may come away and fall from the ceiling. If the ceiling is in plasterboard, the Rondine hood must be fixed to a made-to-measure framework that will be supplied by Valcucine; this framework is also used as a spacer between the hood body and the ceiling. The framework will subsequently be concealed by a plasterboard casing.

If the Rondine hood is fixed to a plasterboard ceil-ing or a different ceiling that is not able to support its weight without using the spacer framework, it may collapse when subjected to minimal stress.

The Rondine hood framework must be fixed us-ing specific screws to the ceiling after it has been tested to check whether it can support the hood’s weight.

FIXING THE RONDINE HOOD TO THE CEILING

VENTILAZIONE

PROBLEM SOLUTION

VENTILAZIONE

Plumber

Electrician

In addition to the instructions given on the preceding pages regarding proper furniture installation and to the suggestions provided to avoid the danger hazards lurking in the kitchen, especially where children are con-cerned, the next pages will contain addition-al rules that should be respected for a really safe kitchen. Everything must be designed and implemented by skilled personnel.In the first place, the project must be pre-pared by a skilled architect; as well as the kitchen layout, the project must also indi-cate where ventilation holes will be located, where the sockets will be installed on the kitchen back panel, the distance to be re-spected between the hood and the hob, and so on. Moreover, electric, gas and plumbing systems must be installed exclusively by expert and qualified tradesmen. In any case, it is advisable to respect the Laws in force in your Country (in Italy: Law 5/5/90 n. 46 Systems safety regulations).

5. A TRADESMAN FOR EVERY JOB

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Ventilation hole for outdoor air

Hob w/thermocouple and/ornatural gas supply

The same quantity of air used up by gas combus-tion must flow into the kitchen from outdoors. It must also be remembered that, if there isn’t an air inlet in the kitchen, hood extraction may generate a vacuum that prevents the hood from working. To prevent this problem, air must flow into the kitchen through permanent ventilation holes in the wall that connect to outdoors. Valcucine suggest you follow the Laws in force in your Country for the dimensions of the ventilation hole.

USEFUL SUGGESTIONS TO PLAN A SAFE KITCHEN

VENTILATION HOLES

Room under vacuum

Toxic gasses entering from adjacent chimney

Hood with check valve

STOP

Valcucine has fitted a special check valve on all its hood models that shuts to prevent air from enter-ing the kitchen from the outside when the motor is off. Under particular circumstances in the home (draughts or depressions) the vicinity to other chimneys of the outdoor discharge hole may cause the toxic gasses produced by fireplaces, stoves or boiler flues to enter the home. Moreover, without a check valve, cold air may enter and hot air may exit the kitchen.

CHECK VALVE

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> 65

There are regulations that set the minimum dis-tance between the hood and the hob at 65cm.

60 60

In the kitchen, sockets for small household appli-ances must be installed:- on the kitchen back panel;- on the wall unit accessory hanging bar near the neon lights; - if there is an equipped back section, inside a com-partment fitted with a switch and a circuit breaker. A safety distance of at least 60cm must be re-spected from the sink and from the hob because the sockets must not be exposed to heat or come into contact with water.Nevertheless, it is advisable to respect the Laws in force in your Country.

USEFUL SUGGESTIONS TO PLAN A SAFE KITCHEN

HEIGHT OF THE HOOD FROM THE HOB POSITION OF ELECTRIC SOCKETS

PART TWOA SAFE KITCHEN FOR CHILDREN

The kitchen is often used by children as a playground, despite the fact that it is potentially the most dangerous room in the home. Home accidents that involve children regard: 1. structural dangers in the home (unsafe electric systems, unstable hanging of units to the walls, etc.)2. products that enter the home (toys, appliances, medicine, chemical cleaning products, etc.) 3. the child’s behaviour4. the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of parents towards domestic safety.This chapter will analyse the safety measures that can be adopted by installers when fitting kitchen furniture as well as other precautions that parents can take to prevent some of the most common danger hazards in the kitchen.

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Correct furniture installation is also indispensable to prevent dangerous accidents that may occur, especially if there are children in the home. Often out of curiosity or because they want to copy adults, children climb onto the furniture which, if it is not firmly anchored to the walls, may capsize onto the children themselves caus-ing serious accidents. On the next pages the importance of correctly installing kitchen furniture will be repeated and the accidents that may occur unless this is done will be clearly illustrated.

1. SAFE KITCHEN FURNITURE INSTALLATION FOR CHILDREN

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FIXING BASE UNITS TO THE WALL

Floor-standing kitchen with base units fitted with drawers and jumbo drawers that are not fixed to the wall. If a child climbs onto open jumbo draw-ers, the unit may capsize.

Kitchen with base units fixed to the wall using spe-cial capsize-prevention brackets. Even if a child climbs onto open jumbo drawers, the units remain firmly anchored to the wall.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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The kitchen is fitted with tower units that are not fixed to the wall: if a child should swing on an open door, the tower units may capsize.

Kitchen with tower units fixed to the wall using special brackets: even if a child should swing on an open door, the tower units will not capsize. To make this easy, all Valcucine’s tower units are fitted with a capsize-prevention device.

FIXING TOWER UNITS TO THE WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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To prevent accidental capsizing of the bookcase it must be fixed to the wall (or to the ceiling, see page 105) using the capsize-prevention device supplied.

Bookcases with their books and objects are a sure attraction for children. They can easily climb onto the bookcase using the shelves as steps to reach objects further up. If a child climbs onto a book-case that is not properly fixed to the wall (or to the ceiling if the bookcase is two sided), it will probably topple over, emptying all its contents onto the child.

FIXING THE 8mm BOOKCASE

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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If the Fratavolo table without stabilisers is not properly fixed to the wall (or to the equipped back section) it may become unstable, for instance if children play on it, and topple over.

If the Fratavolo is properly fixed to the wall or fit-ted with stabilisers at its base to make it more sta-ble it will not overturn even if subjected to stress (see page 89).

FIXING THE FRATAVOLO TABLE TO THE WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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The ergonomic New Logica System is very attrac-tive to children because it can store lots of kitchen utensils. If the system is not properly secured to the wall using capsize-prevention brackets, it may topple over if a child climbs onto it to play or to reach objects inside it.

The carcass must be secured to the wall using brackets fixed to the rear uprights and the base units must be fixed to the carcass (see page 92, 93). This way, even if stressed by children playing, the system will remain stable and will not topple over.

FIXING THE NEW LOGICA SYSTEM

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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FIXING THE BASE UNITS FOR WORK ISLANDS TO THE FLOOR

The free-standing work islands must be fixed to the floor using the capsize-prevention brackets sup-plied with the kitchen. This is mandatory to prevent the island from capsizing if children should climb onto open jumbo drawers.

If the base units of the work island are fixed to the floor by means of the special capsize-prevention brackets the island will not capsize, even if children climb onto open jumbo drawers.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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The wall panelling can be used in many ways and can also be subjected to various loads, including the weight of children that may climb onto its elements.

If the wall panelling is fixed properly it cannot cap-size, even if children should climb onto it.

FIXING THE WALL PANELLING TO THE WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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FIXING THE CUPBOARD UNIT WITH SLIDING DOORS TO THE WALL

If the cupboard unit is not properly fixed to the wall, it may topple over if a child should climb onto the open jumbo drawers.

To prevent the cupboard unit from toppling over it must be secured to the wall using the capsize-prevention brackets provided that must be fixed to the upright before installing the back panel.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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If the equipped back section is not fixed to the base units it may come away and topple over onto the floor.

As well as standing on sturdy feet, the steel back section must also be anchored to the base units of the kitchen by means of capsize-prevention brack-ets located on the rear (the same applies to the stone back section, see page 101). This is indispensable to prevent it from capsizing if a child were to climb onto it.

WORK ISLAND: FIXING THE BACK SECTION TO THE BASE UNIT

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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WORK ISLAND: FIXING THE BREAKFAST BAR

The breakfast bar has been designed to support heavy loads because its project also includes the possibility of a child climbing onto it. If the break-fast bar is not firmly secured onto the equipped back section and a child climbs onto it, it may topple over.

If a child should climb onto a breakfast bar that is properly fixed to the equipped back section (or to the base units, see page 102) using the capsize-prevention brackets, it will remain firmly anchored and will not topple over.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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top alum. profile

special Valcucine furniture hanger

FIXING THE WALL-HUNG BASE UNITS TO THE WALL

Children may climb and play on the wall-hung fur-niture in the kitchen. The weight of the furniture plus the weight and the stress caused by the child’s movements may result in the unit coming away from the wall and toppling over.

It is very important to fix the wall-hung units in the safest way possible, depending on whether the wall is load-bearing (see pages 108, 109) or not (see page 116).The same applies to the wall-hung ovens and to the H12 base units. This way, even if stressed by children playing on it, the unit will not topple over.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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alum. supp. foot

top alum. profile


FIXING THE WALL-HUNG TOWER UNITS TO THE WALL

Children may even climb onto tower units hanging on the wall. If they are not properly fixed to the wall by means of the specific supports, they may break away and topple over.

The tower units are fixed to the wall using the spe-cial profiles and the L-shaped supports. They remain firmly anchored to the wall even if stressed by children climbing onto them.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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1mm

FIXING THE WALL UNITS

If the fixings are not all under tension with the wall unit fixing bars or if the wall unit is resting on the underlying back panel, it may come away from the fixing bar if subjected to stress.

The fixings must be adjusted so that they are all under tension with the bars fixed to the wall and so that the weight of the wall unit does not rest on an underlying back panel, if installed. This makes it possible to evenly distribute the weight of the wall unit onto all the fixings used. This way the wall unit will remain firmly anchored to the wall and will not come away even if subjected to stress.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

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The desk is fixed to the wall using unsuitable screw plugs. If stressed by heavy loads or by a child play-ing on it, it may topple over onto the floor.

The desk can be fixed to load-bearing walls or to a curtain wall (see page 119). It must be fixed us-ing the special aluminium support and screws and screw plugs suitable for the type of wall. This way, even if stressed by heavy loads, it re-mains firmly anchored to the wall.

FIXING THE WALL-HUNG DESK TO THE WALL

PROBLEM SOLUTION

VENTILAZIONEdel

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VENTILAZIONEdel

Activities in the kitchen involve the use of gas and electrical appliances as well as dangerous ma-terials such as boiling liquids, toxic, inflammable and caustic substances. We all know that chil-dren are very curious and want to explore objects they are not acquainted with and copy adults; moreover, they are less aware of risks and are not ready to react promptly in dangerous situations. The risk increases if basic safety rules are not followed in the home and regarding the appliances used, especially if parents are not always in a position to watch over their children all the time. Adults are often not aware of the fact that commonly used objects and products can become a danger hazard if left at the disposal of children.The most frequent accidents involving children concern traumas caused by furniture or other parts of the home, followed by infants falling down the stairs or from furniture.Other frequent causes of accidents regard poisoning, burns or suffocation by small objects.The types of accidents also vary depending on the age of the child. For instance, 10/12 month old infants are most frequently involved in swallowing objects because this is the age at which children put anything within their grasp in their mouths. Burns are frequent at 10/15 months, i.e. when children start to walk around and touch everything they see.Poisoning caused by medicines and detergents concerns mostly 16/24 month old infants.The topic of accidents must be analysed to learn how to prevent them and to be more prepared to react and make decisions in emergency situations. Some advice is given on the next pages to avoid the danger hazards that may be lurking inside your kitchen.

2. OTHER RISKY SITUATIONS

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RISKS IN THE KITCHEN

THE POSITION OF THE HOB AND SINK GLASS SURFACES

It is preferable to install the hob near the sink to avoid long walks holding red-hot pots and pans that can become dangerous, especially if children are in the vicinity.

All the glass used in the kitchen (shelves, doors...) must be tempered to make it more resistant to im-pact and to other types of stress. Moreover, in the event of breakage, this type of glass shatters into safe, blunt pieces.

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HOT OVEN DOOR HOB WITHOUT A SAFETY VALVE

It is preferable to choose one of the latest ovens with a cool-touch door and a tangential fan that guarantees efficient heat insulation. Even when the food is cooking, the doors of these ovens remain cold preventing serious burns.

The hob must have a safety valve that stops the gas flow if the flame does not turn on or if it should accidentally go out.


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DOORS WITH OPENING HOLES POTS AND PANS ON THE HOB

If doors and drawers are not fitted with handles but have a hole to open them, it is a good idea to check that the hole is not too small. This is to avoid a child from putting his/her finger in the hole and maybe injuring it by moving abruptly.

Pots and pans are very attractive to children. To prevent burns, a hob guard must be placed in front of the hob.


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ON

OFF

SHARP EDGES ELECTRIC CURRENT

Generally speaking, modern furniture has sharp edges that can become very dangerous for chil-dren. The best thing to do is to choose furniture that has doors, handles and knobs with rounded edges; failing this, if you prefer the minimalist look with sharp edges we suggest you apply edge pro-tectors to them.

Install a mains switch that cannot be accessed by children to interrupt the supply of electricity to the oven. Oven knobs attract the attention of children who can easily switch the appliance on accidentally.


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ELECTRIC CORDS OF SMALL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES CLOSING JUMBO DRAWERS

The electric cords of small household appliances mustn’t be left dangling from the kitchen worktop. A child could easily grab a cord and pull the ap-pliance onto him/herself (for instance, an electric kettle full of boiling hot water).

Children’s fingers often get trapped between the drawer front and the unit when shutting jumbo drawers; as well as being painful, this can even cause fractures. It is useful to fit a jumbo drawer stop in kitchen base units to prevent them from closing properly and the child from trapping his/her fingers in them (this safety device has been invented by Valcucine and is currently in the work-in-progress stage).


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WALL UNITS ABOVE THE HOB ELECTRIC SOCKETS

A wall units full of objects placed above the hob can become a danger hazard. Its contents may fall onto a pot full of hot water which could capsize onto a child and burn him/her. It’s best to avoid placing any object above the hob that may fall on top of it.

Electric socket holes are very attractive to children. It is very important to install sockets with safety devices or socket covers that prevent children from putting their fingers or small objects in the holes, risking an electric shock.


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Detergents are usually placed below the sink, an area easily accessed by children. If you don’t have a safer place to store them in, it is a good idea top put them into a container with a safety lock.

It’s a good idea to fit a locking system on draw-ers and jumbo drawers to prevent children from opening them. This is a good way of preventing children from reaching the objects stored inside them that are often a danger hazard (detergents, knives, etc.). A lock with a magnet can easily be unlocked by mummy. This device is available in the Valcucine price list.


DETERGENTS AND MEDICINES OPENING JUMBO DRAWERS

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A socket inside the equipped back section can be used to supply electricity to the kitchen; it is very handy for the oven because the supply can be cut off by a switch to prevent children from turning the oven on.

It’s best not to install a hob near a window be-cause any draughts coming into the kitchen may turn the flame out while curtains moved by a child or by a draught may catch fire. It’s also sensible to avoid placing inflammable objects (paper, fab-rics, liquids) or objects that can be altered by heat or emit harmful substances into the environment near the hob.


OVEN AND HOB KNOBS CURTAINS AND OTHER INFLAMMABLE OBJECTS

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Baby table seats cannot be attached to a glass table because the baby’s weight and the stress caused by the infant’s movements may damage or break the table.

It’s not uncommon for liquids to be spilled onto a kitchen floor. A good rule to follow is to dry any liq-uids straight away to prevent slipping on the floor and bumping into nearby objects.


GLASS TABLE EXTENSIONS WET OR GREASY FLOOR

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It’s a good idea to teach children not to rock on chairs because they may lose their balance and topple over.

All rugs must be provided with an anti-slip under-lay that allows you to walk on it without it moving out of place.


ROCKING ON CHAIRS RUGS WITHOUT ANTI-SLIP UNDERLAYS

Created by: Graphics and illustrations: Cover: Printed by:Our thanks go to:

Nell’intenzione di migliorare continuamente il prodotto e la sua sicurezza, Valcucine accetta osservazioni e consigli. Potete contattarci via internet all’indirizzo: [email protected]

Valcucine is happy to receive comments and advice to improve its products and increase safety in the kitchen.You can contact us via internet at the following email address: [email protected]

Da Valcucine Produkt und Sicherheit ständig verbessern möchte, ist das Unternehmen gerne für Anmerkungen und Empfehlungen offen.Bitte nehmen Sie mit uns Kontakt über [email protected] auf

A fin de mejorar de continuo sus productos y la seguridad de éstos, Valcucine acepta observaciones y sugerencias.Pueden contactar con nosotros por internet, a la dirección: [email protected]

Valcucine, dont le but est de toujours améliorer ses produits et leur sécurité, accepte vos observations et vos conseils.Vous pouvez nous contacter à l’adresse mail suivante: [email protected]

Gabriele CentazzoLara SantinPaolo CelottoAGCM, Settembre 2011Ufficio Tecnico Valcucine, Ufficio Marketing Valcucine, Ufficio Qualità Valcucine, Igor Fantin, Paola Fracassi.


Valcucine S.p.A. - Via L.Savio, 11 - 33170 (PORDENONE) - ITALY Tel. +39 0434 517911 Fax +39 0434 572344 - www.valcucine.it [email protected]


Documents

Safety guide