Otis Singleton
Electric ranges are susceptible to tipping over if they are not equipped with anti-tip brackets. These safety devices are designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping over by securing them to the floor or back wall. They are usually attached to the rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it. Since the late 1980s, anti-tip brackets have been included with electric ranges, but many installers and homeowners fail to install them. As a result, there have been numerous incidents and fatalities caused by ranges tipping over. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your electric range has an anti-tip bracket installed to prevent accidents and injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is an anti-tip bracket? | A metal device designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping over. |
| When did anti-tip brackets become a requirement? | 1991 |
| Do anti-tip brackets come with electric ranges? | Yes, anti-tip brackets come with all ranges. However, they are often thrown away without being installed. |
| How to check if an anti-tip bracket is installed? | You can look behind the range with a flashlight. You can also carefully tip the range forward. If it is properly secured, it will only tip forward slightly. |
| What to do if an anti-tip bracket is not installed? | Contact the dealer or builder who installed the range and request that they install one. Alternatively, you can purchase an anti-tip bracket at a hardware store or from the manufacturer and install it yourself. |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric ranges are susceptible to tipping if they are not equipped with anti-tip brackets
- Anti-tip brackets are safety devices that prevent freestanding ranges from tipping over
- They are normally attached to a rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it
- Anti-tip brackets are required by appliance manufacturers, but not directly referenced in the building code
- If your range doesn't have an anti-tip bracket, contact the installer or a reputable handyman to install one
Electric ranges are susceptible to tipping if they are not equipped with anti-tip brackets
Electric ranges are heavy appliances that can tip over if enough weight is applied to their open doors. This can cause scalding, burning, or crushing injuries, and in some cases, even death. In fact, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 38 fatalities associated with ranges tipping over between 1980 and 2008, with most of the victims being children.
To prevent these tragic accidents, anti-tip brackets were introduced in the late 1980s and became mandatory for all ranges manufactured after 1991. These brackets are metal devices that secure freestanding ranges to the floor or back wall, preventing them from tipping forward when excess weight is applied to the open door. They are usually attached to the rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it.
Despite the mandatory requirement, many ranges are still sold without anti-tip brackets being installed. In 1999, retailer Sears estimated that only 5% of the gas and electric units they sold were equipped with anti-tip brackets. This failure to comply with safety regulations resulted in lawsuits, and Sears was forced to secure ranges in nearly 4 million homes at a significant cost.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your electric range is properly secured with an anti-tip bracket. If your range does not have one, you can contact the dealer or builder who installed it and request that they install one. Alternatively, you can purchase the part at most hardware stores or directly from the manufacturer, and install it yourself or with the help of a handyman.
By taking this simple and inexpensive precaution, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries associated with electric ranges tipping over.
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Anti-tip brackets are safety devices that prevent freestanding ranges from tipping over
Anti-tip brackets are safety devices designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping over. They are usually attached to the rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it. These brackets are essential to the safe operation of the range, providing protection when excess force or weight is applied to an open oven door.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) created standards in 1991 that require all ranges manufactured after that year to be capable of remaining stable while supporting 250 pounds of weight on their open doors. This was in response to the dangers posed by ranges tipping over, which caused incidents and fatalities, especially among children and the elderly. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 143 incidents caused by range tip-overs from 1980 to 2006, with 33 resulting in death, most of them children.
To prevent these tragic accidents, anti-tip brackets are necessary. They can be purchased at most hardware stores or ordered from the manufacturer. Some companies, like General Electric, provide their customers with an anti-tip bracket for free. The installation process is straightforward and can be done by a handyman or the range owner themselves.
It is important to note that while anti-tip brackets are included in installation kits, they are not always installed. Home inspectors are advised to check for the presence and proper installation of these safety devices. If a range is not equipped with an anti-tip bracket, it is at risk of tipping over, potentially causing injuries or fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that these brackets are installed correctly to provide stability and prevent accidents.
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They are normally attached to a rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it
Electric ranges are susceptible to tipping over if they are not equipped with anti-tip brackets. These safety devices are designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping over and are included in all installation kits. They are usually attached to the rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it.
Anti-tip brackets are small clips that attach to the wall or floor behind the range, interlocking with the back leg of the range to prevent it from tipping forward. They are essential for the safe operation of the range, providing protection when excess force or weight is applied to an open oven door. This is particularly important for preventing injuries to children who may stand on the open oven door to see what's cooking or try to get something from the stovetop.
In 1991, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) created standards requiring all ranges manufactured after 1991 to remain stable while supporting 250 pounds of weight on their open doors. Despite these standards and manufacturers' instructions, many ranges are not equipped with anti-tip brackets. Retailer Sears, for example, estimated that only 5% of the gas and electric units they sold had anti-tip brackets.
If your electric range does not have an anti-tip bracket, you can contact the dealer or builder who installed it and request that they install one. Alternatively, you can purchase the part at most hardware stores or directly from the manufacturer, and install it yourself. It is a simple and inexpensive fix that can help prevent accidents and injuries.
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Anti-tip brackets are required by appliance manufacturers, but not directly referenced in the building code
Anti-tip brackets are metal devices designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping over. They are attached to the rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it. These safety devices first appeared in the late 1980s, and since 1991, appliance manufacturers have required them. This was in response to the danger posed by ranges tipping over, which caused 38 fatalities between 1980 and 2008, with many more injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Over half of the fatalities were children under five, and the other large age group was elderly adults.
Despite this requirement, anti-tip brackets are not directly referenced in the building code. However, the building code does state that "Equipment and appliances shall be installed as required by the terms of their approval, in accordance with the conditions of the listing, the manufacturer's installation instructions and this code". In other words, if the manufacturer recommends something as part of the installation, it must be installed. Therefore, while not explicitly mentioned, the inclusion of anti-tip brackets is, in fact, a requirement by extension.
The Minnesota Mechanical Code, chapter 3, section 304.1, states that appliances must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. This means that if you buy an appliance that comes with an anti-tip bracket, it must be installed, even though the building code does not specifically mention these brackets.
If you are unsure whether your range has an anti-tip bracket, you can try to look behind the range with a flashlight. However, some floor-mounted brackets may be difficult to see. Another method is to carefully tip the range forward; if it is properly secured, it will only move slightly. If you cannot find an anti-tip bracket and are concerned about safety, you can purchase one from the manufacturer, big box stores, online, or at appliance stores. They are inexpensive and easy to install, but you will need to move the range out of the way and have someone assist you due to the weight of stoves.
In summary, while anti-tip brackets are not directly referenced in the building code, they are required by appliance manufacturers and are an important safety feature to prevent injuries and fatalities, especially among children and the elderly.
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If your range doesn't have an anti-tip bracket, contact the installer or a reputable handyman to install one
Electric ranges can tip over if they are not equipped with anti-tip brackets. These safety devices are designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping over when excess force or weight is applied to an open oven door. They are usually attached to the rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it.
If your range doesn't have an anti-tip bracket, you should contact the installer or a reputable handyman to install one. If a dealer or builder installed your range, contact them directly and request that they install an anti-tip bracket. Many manufacturers, such as General Electric, will send their customers an anti-tip bracket for free. Alternatively, you can purchase the part at most hardware stores or directly from the manufacturer.
If you wish to install the bracket yourself, you can refer to the manufacturer's installation instructions. There are different types of anti-tip brackets, so be sure to use the correct instructions for your specific bracket. For example, General Electric provides both short and long anti-tip bracket installation instructions.
It is important to confirm that the anti-tip bracket has been properly installed. You can do this by carefully pulling on the range from the rear. If the bracket is installed correctly, the range should not tip more than 4 inches from the wall. If it tips forward more than 4 inches, the anti-tip device is either absent or incorrectly installed.
Anti-tip brackets are essential for the safe operation of your electric range. They help to prevent accidents and injuries that can occur when a range tips over. By taking the necessary steps to install an anti-tip bracket, you can ensure the safety of yourself and others who use your electric range.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, electric ranges come with anti-tip brackets. These brackets are essential safety devices that prevent ranges from tipping over. They are usually attached to the rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind it.
Yes, anti-tip brackets are required on electric ranges. Since 1991, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) have mandated that all ranges be capable of supporting 250 pounds of weight on their open doors. Anti-tip brackets help ensure this stability.
If your electric range does not have an anti-tip bracket, you can contact the dealer or builder who installed your range and request that they install one. Alternatively, you can purchase the bracket at a hardware store or directly from the manufacturer and install it yourself.
You can visually inspect behind your electric range to see if an anti-tip bracket is present. You may need to use a flashlight, especially if the bracket is floor-mounted. You can also carefully tip the range forward; if it is properly secured, it will only move slightly.
Anti-tip brackets are available at most hardware stores, big box stores, online retailers, and sometimes at appliance stores. You can also purchase them directly from the manufacturer. Some manufacturers, like General Electric, will send customers an anti-tip bracket for free.
