Sauna fire safety guidelines

Saunas provide a relaxing environment for your club members and guests, so long as they are properly installed, operated and maintained. Follow these guidelines to reduce the chance of a sauna electric heater-related fire and contribute to the safety of your sauna facilities.

• Heater installation and any subsequent maintenance should be done by a licensed, qualified electrician, following manufacturer requirements. The unit must be grounded and proper clearances to combustible materials maintained. Electrical equipment used in wet areas such as saunas should be equipped with ground fault protection.
• Check the sauna at regular intervals, including opening and closing, for materials that may have been left on the heater.
• A steel, mesh guard should be in place on top of the unit. Replace immediately if missing or damaged. The sauna should not be used without this guard in place.
• Placement of towels or other combustibles over the heater should be prohibited using signs and instructions from your staff to members and guests.
• Heater rocks that surround the heating elements should be replaced at least annually. Rocks will crumble with repetitive heating and cooling, reducing airflow and increasing heater temperature.
• Sauna heating systems should be separated from all other areas by a one-hour fire rated barrier. The use of open flame heating devices inside saunas should be prohibited.
• Never install additional benches or shelving over the heater.
• Never install locking or latching devices on doors leading into saunas.
• Heaters need to be equipped with an automatic high temperature shutoff switch to prevent overheating  the unit. The switch should never be bypassed or removed.
• Check on sauna air inlets and outlets to verify they are clear and unblocked.
• If you have a sprinkler system in your facility, consider having a licensed sprinkler contractor extend the sprinkler system to include the sauna interior. Sprinkler head designs for normal sauna temperatures are available.

To learn more about Hanover Risk Solutions, visit hanoverrisksolutions.com

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.