Sauna construction involves special safety concerns.

VENTILATION

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• The enclosed environment or a sauna creates the need for some sort of ventilation.
• If your sauna uses a wood burning or gas heater be sure the air supply comes from the outside. You don’t want to compete with your heater for oxygen.
• Be sure the heater exhaust system is 100% leak proof.
• Incoming air can be used to more evenly circulate the heat, eliminating cold spots and replace the oxygen you breathe.
• If you are going to build your own sauna see the design page for more information about ventilation placement.

  
  

  HUMIDITY

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• Löyly (steam) creates a very humid environment that can accelerate the corrosion of metal and the possibility of electrical short-circuiting. In planning your sauna construction you need to be sure all wiring will be sealed and isolated from this environment.
• Any lighting fixtures or other electrical appliances need to be approved for wet environments.
• All circuits need to be ground fault protected.
• Be extra careful in areas near the heater where water may splash when watering the rocks.
  
  
  FIRE

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• Be positive gas connections, heater ventilation and electrical connections are bulletproof.
• For easy escape in case of fire, have the sauna door open out.
• Have a clear pathway to the outside through any shower or changing rooms.
  
  
  Sauna construction; whether you put together a kit or build your own sauna, you need to keep safety in mind. In addition to all normal safety considerations the unusual environment within a sauna creates special concerns.
  
  
  
  

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