Soffits in kitchenettes - fire safety block?

no re your family

regardless, give youve a ktichenette and are likel light on storage, why dont you rip the soffit and configure so youve cabinets all the way to the ceiling--use either talllll wall cabinets, or normal with short guys up top

I'm actually a fan of soffits, if you're not going to have cabinets all the way to the ceiling; it gives the cabinets a nice built-in look, and makes them look like they actually belong there.

Nothing looks worse than that blank "unfinished" area between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling; makes the cabinets look like they were just randomly slapped up.

You didn't say whether you live in NYC. If you do, and since you've done a lot of research, you've probably already seen this section of the NYC code:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/download...ode/bc27s5.pdf

You can do anything you want, but if you violate the code and get caught you'll pay and probably have to rip it out and start over again.

Many people think they can ignore the code -- e,g, a new Corcoran listing I saw this morning in which only half the rooms they list as rooms are actually legal rooms according to the building code -- and oftentimes they get away with it. In this case, you probably will.

There's a reason for everything in the code. You can decide to roll the dice if you like. I don't like rolling the dice when it comes to the safety of my children and grandchildren, but everyone's different.

"http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/download...ode/bc27s5.pdf"

"This page is not available."

It's not the kind of soffit that fills in the space between ceiling and top of cabinets.

If it's like others in his line, it's like this: http://img.streeteasy.com/nyc/image/49/28762549.jpg

Just a thickish wall, on a line with the front of the base cabinets and coming 2' down from the ceiling. Behind it is a sort of open void where people put lights, etc. It might keep some smoke that doesn't get caught by the hood from hitting the LR ceiling, but would fill right up in a real fire. Looks more like a style thing to sort of set off the kitchen.

"http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/download...ode/bc27s5.pdf"

"This page is not available."

That's odd, because I can get to it using this url. But it's Title 27, Subchapter 5 of the building code, "Fire Protection Construction Requirements."

NWT, it's exactly that. I put in Ikea cabinets on the wall so the soffit doesn't look as bad now, but having it removed gives a more open look. Hey, we have to do what we can to maximize air space.

I doubt it'd do much in a fire. Would keep smoke in there for a bit, but that's why we have the extractor hood.