Be sure to follow these guidelines when designing a new sauna or steam room or servicing an existing one.
Jari Ristola, President of ThermaSol, and Paul Hackett, CSP, OSHCR, who served on the IHRSA-led expert panel, contributed to this article and developed key considerations and risk assessment tools to help clubs reopen and stay open.
Adding a sauna or steam room to your fitness center can help your business stand out from the competition and be a great selling point for your members! Saunas and steam rooms have been around for centuries and are popular in many cultures and countries. Saunas and steam rooms provide much-needed relaxation and recovery after a workout, and they also provide health benefits, including:
When designing, building, cleaning, and maintaining a sauna or steam room, it is important to follow best practices. Of course, follow proper temperature recommendations.
We have divided these guides into two parts, discussing saunas in the first part. When it comes to saunas, there are five main recommendations:
1. Follow all local and national health guidelines regarding temperature ranges, which are typically 165–203 degrees Fahrenheit/74–95 degrees Celsius. Recommendations vary internationally, so ranges can vary significantly.
2. Provide adequate insulation, i.e. a minimum of R12 insulation in walls and R16 insulation in ceilings. In some countries the minimum insulation level required by law is considerably higher.
3. Energy efficiency should be considered when designing, and the optimal ceiling height is 84 inches/213 cm and should not exceed 96 inches/244 cm. Lower ceilings save energy and heat the room faster.
4. Install two vents: one 4 inches/10 cm from the floor behind the heater and one 6 inches/15 cm from the ceiling on the other wall.
5. When choosing flooring, choose tile, sealed concrete/cement, or durable vinyl. Avoid wood floors, as they absorb moisture, fade easily, and are difficult to clean thoroughly.
8. Place the stones around the heating element so that it is completely covered. When water hits the stones, they accumulate heat and create steam.
9. Use stones specified by the manufacturer. They should be able to withstand high temperature changes without breaking, be large enough to allow air circulation but rough enough to retain water, and should not emit any odor.
14. Do not paint or varnish inside. Cork needs to breathe, and paint or varnish will create odors and make the bench hotter.
A steam room is a unique service that can add value to your establishment if designed and maintained correctly. To provide your members with a high-quality service, be sure to follow these three guidelines when operating your steam room:
16. Follow all local and national health guidelines regarding temperature ranges, which are typically 110–120 degrees Fahrenheit/43–49 degrees Celsius.
17. The building must be watertight and damp-proof. This can be achieved using a number of under-tile methods, such as Wedi Vapor 85 building panels or equivalent. These materials must be lightweight and capable of being fixed directly to the frame. The material must be easy to cut with a utility knife or saw and not require a separate coating. The products must have fully integrated moisture protection throughout the entire assembly process.
18. Build the bench on site using 2″ construction boards or choose a pre-made bench depending on your desired configuration.
21. Install the steam generator no more than 50 feet/15 meters away from the steam room and connect it to the steam head in the steam room using copper pipe. Place the steam head at a safe distance from seating areas. Do not install the steam generator in a steam room or outdoors in areas prone to icing.
22. Commercial steam generators operate on three-phase electricity. The voltage is 208/240 volts or 480 volts. In Canada, you can find 600 volt models, but not all manufacturers make 600 volt units. The size of the generator and the power output are based on the cubic feet of the room, and each manufacturer has their own methods and recommendations for sizing.
23. Design for energy efficiency, with an optimal ceiling height of 96 inches/244 cm or less.
24. Avoid installing vents or fans inside the steam room, but install an exhaust hood near the steam room door.
25. Consider installing a fragrance diffuser system. A pump system adds fragrance through the steam line, and a separate system sprays the fragrance.
27. Spray the walls and all seating areas with an antibacterial cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the walls with a brush or a stiff sponge. Use a mop or stiff-bristled brush to wipe floors covered with an antibacterial cleaner. Hose down the room and rinse thoroughly. When finished, ventilate the room with the door open and the steam generator turned off.
This article is part of a series called “28 Best Practices for Fitness Center Management.” In future articles, we will discuss topics such as spa services, center layout and design, nutritional consultations, and more.
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