What are the fire safety rules for placing an oven in a kitchen?

Good question! Fire safety rules are important when planning your kitchen layout. In general, ovens and cooktops should be placed at least 300 mm (about 12 inches) away from windows, doors, or any surface that could have curtains, blinds, or other flammable materials. If your window only opens on one side, it’s still best to keep that distance — this helps prevent heat damage or fire risk if the window is open while cooking. Also, make sure there’s enough ventilation and clear space around the oven for safe use and maintenance. If you’re unsure about local building codes, it’s a good idea to check with a licensed contractor or building inspector.

You’re right that the general guideline is to keep at least 300 mm of clearance between a cooker or oven and any door or window opening. This distance helps prevent heat damage to nearby surfaces and reduces the risk of curtains, blinds, or drafts interfering with cooking. Even if your window only opens on one side, it’s still best to follow the 300 mm rule to allow safe ventilation and avoid accidental contact with hot surfaces. Building regulations don’t usually make exceptions for partially opening windows, so maintaining that clearance is considered good practice for both safety and appliance performance.

Generally, Canadian building and fire-safety guidelines don’t give a single universal number like 300 mm, but they do require that ovens and cooktops maintain safe clearances from combustible materials and from anything that could interfere with safe operation. In short: the 300 mm clearance is a good rule of thumb, but partially fixed windows don’t automatically exempt you from keeping safe distance. The key is eliminating combustibles and ensuring safe airflow.