2. Sauna Room Construction - General Information
1. Instructions for Use
11/10
Pub. No. 573-B
- 3 -
Instructions for Installation and Use
1.5. Instructions for Bathing
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Begin by washing yourself.
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Stay in the sauna for as long as you feel comfortable.
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According to established sauna conventions, you must
not disturb other bathers by speaking in a loud voice.
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Do not force other bathers from the sauna by throwing
excessive amounts of water on the stones.
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Forget all your troubles and relax.
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Cool your skin down as necessary.
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If you are in good health, you can have a swim if a
swimming place or pool is available.
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Wash yourself properly after bathing. Have a drink of
fresh water or a soft drink to bring your fluid balance
back to normal.
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Rest for a while and let your pulse go back to normal
before dressing.
1.6. Warnings
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Sea air and a humid climate may corrode the metal
surfaces of the heater.
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Keep away from the heater when it is hot. The stones
and outer surface of the heater may burn your skin.
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Do not throw too much water on the stones. The
evaporating water is boiling hot.
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Do not let young, handicapped or ill people bathe in the
sauna on their own.
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Consult your doctor about any health-related limitations
to bathing.
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Parents should keep children away from the hot heater.
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Consult your child welfare clinic about taking little
babies to the sauna.
- age?
- temperature of the sauna?
- time spent in the warm sauna?
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Be very careful when moving in the sauna, as the
platform and floors may be slippery.
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Do not smoke, use alcohol, or exercise in the sauna!
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Do not exceed 30 min. in the sauna at one time, as
excessive exposure can be harmful to health. The
sauna should not be used as an endurance test!
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Persons with poor health should consult their physicians
before using the sauna!
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Do not place any combustible material over the sauna
Heater (towels, bathing suits, wooden bucket or dipper)!
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Use only clean tap water on the stones – do not use
pool or spa water, as chlorine gas can be produced and
the heating elements can be damaged!
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Hyperthermia occurs when the internal temperature of
the body reaches a level several degrees above the
normal body temperature of 98,6 ºF. The symptoms of
hyperthermia include an increase in the internal
temperature of the body, dizziness, lethargy, drowsi-
ness, and fainting.
The effects of hyperthermia include:
A. Failure to perceive heat
B. Failure to recognize the need to exit the room.
C. Unawareness of impending hazard
D. Fetal damage in pregnant women
E. Physical inability to exit the room
F. Unconsciousness
WARNING
– the use of alcohol, drugs, or medication is
capable of greatly increasing the risk of fatal hyperthermia.
1.7. Troubleshooting
If the heater does not heat, check the following points:
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The current from the control unit to the heater has been
switched on.
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The desired temperature programmed in the control
panel is higher than the temperature of the sauna.
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The breaker is switched on. Also, breaker should be
correct size.
A. Framing
2” x 4” dry Douglas Fir, 16” o.c.
B. Ceiling height
No higher than 7’0”.
C. Insulation
R11 Fiberglas with foil back in walls and ceiling, foil facing
into room.
D. Drywall
See local codes. Is not required in most residences. See
local codes for commercial. If drywall is used, apply 1” x 2”
nailers so that wall and ceiling boards can be attached to
solid wood.
E. Paneling
Use kiln-dried, clear, T & G softwood such as California
Redwood, Western Red Cedar, Alaska Yellow Cedar, with
moisture content not exceeding 11 %.
F. Benches
Use matching wood of vertical grain with 2” x 2” tops – ½”
spacing – and 2” x 4” facing, fastening from bottom to
prevent burning of bathers.
G. Heater fence
Is necessary for safety and should be constructed of 1” x 2”
or 2” x 2” softwood to match sauna interior. See figures 2-4
for clearances from sauna heater. Fence should attach to
wall and should not be placed higher than top of heater
below rock line.
H. Door
Must open out and should not have a lock. Size – 2’0” x
6’8” with fir rails and double sealed, tempered glass.
I. Flooring
Concrete, ceramic tile, or heavy duty Vinyl with walking
area of removable SuperDek or Duckboard.
J. Ventilation
Should be provided by lower vent close to heater, 4” from
floor, and upper vent on opposite wall (if possible) 6” from
ceiling or as low as 24” from floor. Vents should be
adjustable and should allow air to change 5 times per hour.
Sauna shall be provided with intended ventilation as
required per the local code authorities.
K. Light
Should be a vapor proof, wall-mounted type, with rough-in
box mounted flush with inside paneling. It should mount
6’6” from floor, not directly over sauna heater, and not over
upper benches; light bulb should not exceed 75 watts.
L. Accessories
Bucket, ladle and thermometer are essential. Thermometer
should be placed over the sauna heater, 6” from ceiling, for
correct temperature reading. Other accessories such as
hygrometer, sand timer, brushes, etc. are available.
M. Maintenance instructions
Included at the end of this manual.
N. Warning signs
