Hello everyone, hope you all had a good holiday.We are having a discussion in our office about what constitutes a kitchen island. We have 2 scenarios.
One is a structure totally isolated from kitchen counters that is a cabinet only and a flat top.
The other is a knee wall built out of 2x4's along the front and cabinet built around it. This unit also has a raised backsplash and is isolated from other cabinets.
This is the defintion out of the mirriam webster dictionary:
a kitchen counter that is approachable from all sides
I think I just answered my own question,both instances would apply to islands.
Any other input would be appreciated

Scenario 1 that you describe is most definitely an island.

Scenario 2 -- I would consider kitchen countertop and wire according to 210.52(C)(1). The reason for this is that a knee wall is still considered to be a wall. Check the blueprint. If it shows a knee wall on the framing plan, then I don't see how it can be anything but that, and wired according to "wall counter space." I have seen some instances where inspectors classify this as an island but I personally think that they are wrong. There is even a backsplash. For me, if there is framing involved, then it's a wall.

Any other opinions?

You hit the nail on the head Nick!

I concurr

I love debate. Nick, I don't agreee that if it has a backsplash it doesn't constitute an island.Exception B of 210.52 (C) (5) says on islands that don't have backsplashes, you don't have a height requirement above the counter,so evidently they consider there could be islands with backsplashes.I am in half agreement with the wall argument, if your using definitons, but it also meets the definition of island, what say you?

You are correct! I shouldn't have made the comment about the backsplash. I just sort of threw that in there... and you checked me on it, and you are right.

I have seen island cabinetry created that does in fact have a backsplash where there is no knee wall.

You get another star, and thanks.

(As soon as I figure out how to do it)

Nick, Thanks, I wasn't looking for praise but thanks any way,I just like getting good interpretations of codes and doing it right.
This is one of those codes that leave it up to the AHJ to decide as you have two definitions,wall and island. Thanks for your help