Australian Kitchen Standards

By Kevin Sorby | Kitchen Designer & Cabinetmaker

Australian kitchen standards provide the specific guidelines, rules, and technical specifications regarding how kitchen cabinetry is built, used, and installed in both domestic and commercial applications.

A standard is an official document issued by a professional or governmental regulatory authority. These documents play a vital role in the industry by providing an approved level of quality, safety, and performance—protecting consumers and providing peace of mind.

In the world of manufacturing, a standard can be either an absolute or a minimum benchmark.

An absolute standard is an exact requirement (such as the mass of a kilogram). In contrast, a minimum benchmark specifies the minimum acceptable level of quality, dimension, or safety. Any product that exceeds these levels is still compliant. Most Australian kitchen standards relate to these minimum benchmarks.

To provide uniformity across the industry, I have compiled the most relevant Australian kitchen standards and their scopes below.

AFRDI: Australasian Furnishing Research and Development Institute

The Australasian Furnishing Research and Development Institute (Furntech-AFRDI) is an independent, not-for-profit technical organisation providing standards, testing, and product certification for the furniture industry.

Key AFRDI certifications related to kitchens include:

• 104.94: Performance of furniture and components in various climates
• 108.94: Requirements for surface finishes used on timber furniture
• 891001: Quality of furniture and joinery (assessment/classification)
• 891002: Quality of furniture and joinery (measurement of dimensions)

As of July 2020, only five Australian kitchen companies have undertaken to maintain the quality standards required to display the Furntech-AFRDI Blue Tick for Kitchen Systems (based on AS/NZS 4386). These companies are:

• Flatpax or Kaboodle Kitchen (DIY Resolutions Pty. Ltd)
• Freedom Kitchens
• Hafele Australia
• Kinsman Kitchens (The Good Guys)

AS 4386.1: Domestic Kitchen Assemblies – Kitchen Units

AS 4386.1 specifies the minimum requirements for the construction of kitchen assemblies used in domestic applications, including:

• Strength and durability of cabinets
• Safety and ergonomics
• Co-ordination of services (water, electricity, and gas)
• Quality of workmanship

AS 4386.2: Domestic Kitchen Assemblies – Installation

AS 4386.2 specifies the minimum requirements for the installation of both pre-assembled and flat-pack kitchen assemblies, covering:

• Minimum clearances between cooktops and combustible surfaces
• Oven ventilation requirements
• Co-ordination of service zones

AS 4387: Domestic Kitchen Assemblies – Methods of Test

This standard specifies the procedures for measuring the strength of carcasses and under-frames of kitchen assemblies.

AS 1351.1: Spaces in Dwellings – Kitchens

This standard specifies preferred metric coordinating dimensions for kitchen assemblies, including work surfaces and appliances. It covers:

• Coordinating dimensions (height, width, and depth)
• Preferred heights for sink units and work surfaces
• Hob (cooktop) heights

HB111: The Domestic Kitchen Handbook

While not an official Australian Standard, the Domestic Kitchen Handbook was written to complement and expand on AS 4386 and AS 4387. It is an invaluable resource for effectively communicating design needs to professionals. Key topics include:

• Materials and appliance/fittings selection
• Design briefs and budget estimation
• Interpreting kitchen plans

Other Relevant Standards

Various other standards impact the construction and assembly of Australian kitchens, including:

• AS 1428: Design for access and mobility
• AS 2131: Adhesives for bonding decorative thermoset laminates
• AS 2458: Hardboard
• AS 2754: Adhesives for timber and timber products
• AS 2924: Decorative thermosetting laminated sheet
• AS 1859: Reconstituted wood-based panels