The range hood isn't wood is it? You should be able to mount it as high or low as you want - 30" is usually just recommended. Can you ask the inspector to show you the code that says it has to be 30"? I think he's just being a pr*ck.

I'm with Weissman on the inflammable nature of your hood.

I'd be concerned about dropping the height of your range, as it looks like it would put the trim below the countertop which could trigger different responses from your inspector.

Beautiful kitchen, by the way! I'm envious.

Lower the hood so that it holds temporarily.... don't go to a lot of trouble. After inspection, put it back up.....

It looks beautiful!

I, too, would have thought the clearance would allow less than 30" to the non-combustible hood. But here are Thermador's clearance from their installation manual. Note the 30" minimum to NON-COMBUSTIBLE asterisk. Unfortunately, I have to agree that the ''cooking surface'' has to be interpreted as the grate's upper surface.

Perhaps you'll have to remove the hood and temporarily install a cheap lower profile hood during the inspection. Then change it back after you're issued the occupancy permit. That's what I'd do.

I also see in the installation manual for the Thermador Pro Harmony that the

*The range height is adjustable. The level
of the range top must be at the same level
or above the countertop level.

Also, Thermador states that "it is highly recommended" to install a hood. If your local building codes don't require a hood, then I'd just remove what you have for the inspection, and re-install it later that day.

It's FAB.

Hope you get it resolved.

Trish

Nice hood! (Fraternal twin to mine...)

Can you remove the grates and see if you draw another inspector?

Sounds really silly to me, since it's the distance from the flames that's important, and they should be below the grates (not to mention the whole, obvious, metal doesn't flame at kitchen temperatures thing that others pointed out). But that's reality and inspectors are notoriously weird. The whole issue is probably that your kitchen is too freakin' beautiful and there wasn't anything else to ding, and he wants to throw his weight around because he doesn't have any freakin' beautiful kitchen of his own.

You asked about your range's feet (aka the "levelling legs"). I just looked on the Thermador website for the Installation manual for your range. On page 7 of that manual there is a drawing showing all the various required clearances in every direction. That page also states that the range height is adjustable and that the levelling legs have a range from 35-7/8" to 36-3/4", so that gives you .875" you can lower it right there. Unless that is, you've already lowered the legs as far as they can go. Also, another Code stipulation is that the range top must be at the same level or above the countertop on either side of it. So I'm not sure if lowering the legs will work or not, you'll have to report back on what point the legs are now and the countertop level.

I wouldn't challenge the inspector as to why he's not allowing your hood. It'll make him mad and search for other stuff to ding you on. Also, the Thermador installation manual says specifically that the 30" minimum is as "defined by National Fuel Gas Code (AINSI Z223.1)".

I like the idea of you finding a super cheap hood that has a much smaller height and installing it for the inspection, then putting up your gorgeous one later. I just looked at Home Depot's site, and they have 36" wide x 6" high undercabinet hoods by Maytag for $65. There are a bunch of other really cheap ones at HD; the Maytags just came up first on my list when I had the page sort 36" hoods by low price first. You will have to make sure that the temp hood actually works for the inspector. Afterwards, donate it or sell it on Craig's List.

One more thing to add to my previous post. I recommended you get a super cheap short hood to install just for the inspection. But, if you go too super cheap, the inspector may figure what you're up to. I guess you at least should get a temp hood that is stainless steel and not too tiny. Like I said, afterwards it can go to Habitat for Humanity or something like that (you get the good deed feeling as a bonus), or Craig's List.

Be carefull about a super cheap hood because I think the Thermador Prorange manuals also say you should have at least 1000cfm. Yo may want to talk to your store manager to see if they carry one of the shorter hoods that you can "borrow"

Your inspector is on a power trip (and wrong). Good luck.

Be carefull about a super cheap hood because I think the Thermador Prorange manuals also say you should have at least 1000cfm

Jakvis - this situation is regarding satisfying Code compliance. Evidently, there is a "National Fuel Gas Code (AINSI Z223.1)" that stipulates the 30" distance that the inspector is requiring. I was suggesting a temporary cheap hood to fulfull that. What you are talking about is the manufacturer's recommendation in the manual for 1000 cfms, not a Code requirement.

There are actually plenty of people who have no hood at all who pass inspection. But once you DO have a hood, evidently you have to have the 30" distance if you have an inspector like the OP's. I guess the Code is in place for fear of flames from a pan that could shoot up the hood and then into the walls and through the house.

I think Jakvis' idea is really great to see if your appliance store has a "loaner" hood they could give you which wouldn't be as tall as your hood. The stores ikely have floor models or something lying around. However, they may be planning on selling them in a "floor model sale" so may not be willing to loan one to you in case you damage it, and they won't be able to sell it. Worth asking though.

you best bet - cheapest / fastest / least invasive will be to have a metal fabricator weld up some rods - tubing - bar stock into temporary grates the sit flush with the counter and burner pan. The can be any pattern that clears teh burners and supports a pot. That with a little lowering of the range jut a hair should get you to 30".

When passed - throw em away.

The cooking surface, as defined on the Thermador website, is the area surrounding the grates. That is the figure that must meet the 30". The website offers the choice of "Exclusive models featuring all new porcelain cooking surface" or stainless steel. The grates are cast iron. If Thermador is saying that the cooking surface is below the burners, then that is what he should be measuring from. There is not a single burner measurement in all the specs, but there are measurements for the body of the range, which is flush with the counter, and for 30" above that.

Hi all.

Thank you so, so much for your responses.

After scouring the specs & installation manual, I'm thinking that just removing the hood is our only viable option. Although a vent hood is recommended, it is not stated as a requirement.

I'm just so frustrated b/c the Wolf specs clearly state "30 inches from countertop" and my range of choice has to bury me in semantics with the grates.

I called Thermador to see if they could just provide something (an email)stating that our set up is acceptable. They declined, said the inspector sounds like a jerk, and suggested I go over his head. Gee, thanks.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Again, I really appreciate the input.

Katie

"I called Thermador to see if they could just provide something (an email)stating that our set up is acceptable. They declined,"

Just another reason for folks reading this NOT TO CHOOSE Thermador.

Way to go BSH .

...The website offers the choice of Exclusive models featuring all new porcelain cooking surface or stainless steel. The grates are cast iron...

A reasonable inspector would have to agree with the logic presented by histokitch. Unfortunately, we all seem to agree that the inspector is on a power trip and is unlikely to reverse his position. Nevertheless, you might want to copy the info mentioned and go to the village hall to present it to the inspector. It's worth a try!

NFPA 54-79 (2009)
10.15.1.2(2)

Allows a 24" clearance when there is a sheet metal ventilating hood as one of the listed exceptions to the 30" requirement.

You can log in to the NFPA for free and read it there.

Here is a link that might be useful: National Fuel Gas Code

Unfortunately, many municipalities use specs for individual appliances as the primary source for code approval above and beyond the NFPA code. Thermador's specs are badly worded. It is clear to me from the drawing and the features section that they intend the term "cooking surface" to be the portion flush with the countertop. "Cooking surface" sounds like the grate, so that reading by the inspector makes sense to an extent. If the OP can get BSH to define "cooking surface" as the top, or maybe if she can show him the page on the website advertising the choice of stainless or porcelain, she may not have to take down the hood. Sounds like he may be difficult. Has your contractor worked with him before? It might be something the contractor can help explain to him.

Is the hood a Modernaire? I just put an order in for one that's quite similar. It's stunning.

Too bad Thermador didn't do like Electrolux. The manual and even their website states" 30 inches clearance with combustables and 24 inches with non combustable---they even go to the trouble to show you how to install a heat shield --should you have a combustable material over the cooktop.
Hope all worksout ok for ya.

Gary

I'm sorry I can't help with your issue, but your hood is MAGNIFICENT! Where is it from?

Always remember that even an almighty inspector has a supervisor who can overrule him. I'd lodge a complaint or request for appeal at the county/city offices.
We got a plumbing issue resolved this summer on an appeal.
Casey

Katieob,
I'm sorry you are having a problem with the inspector. I hate to trouble you at a time like this, but I am very impressed with your hood. Can you tell me how wide the lower banding is on the hood? Is it a full six inches or less (more like 4)?
Thank you.