In the article “What is a Finnish sauna like”, I explain the basic features of a safe sauna. When I have been living abroad, I have come across many different saunas. Many of them are not build according to Finnish standards.
What is a Finnish sauna like
First of all, a Finnish sauna is built correctly and safely. The sauna’s ceilings and stepstool are sturdy. The nails should not stick out and should not be visible.
The heater is correctly installed by an electrician. The heater is always installed with a proper power cord.
The heater must not be too close to the wall or boards. There must be a non-combustible underlay under the wood-burning stove.
Nothing flammable should be placed near the heater.
The electric heater or the resistors of the electric heater may catch fire if they break. It is therefore important to check the stones and resistors of the stove once a year.
The stones of the heater must be reloaded with air and checked for any bulges, for example at the back of the heater.
There is one unfortunate case of this from last autumn. The stove had not been checked and maintained. And the sauna was on at night when a fire broke out and five people died. There was a bulge behind the stove which, when it hit the wall, set the sauna on fire.
For example, it is the responsibility of the tenant to check the stove at regular intervals. It is not the owner’s responsibility.
For a wood-burning stove, it is important to follow the repair instructions and advice of the chimney sweep. These must be repaired immediately.
The heater must not be left unattended while the sauna is being heated.
Similarly, when heating an electric sauna, make sure that there is nothing on the stove that can catch fire.
Is it allowed to have a socket in the sauna?
There must be no sockets or other switches inside the sauna. The sauna heater may have fixed operating switches such as a thermostat and a timer. The sauna light switch must be outside the sauna.
The sauna is not a storage room
This is an important rule to remember, the sauna is not a storage room or a place to dry your laundry. There must be nothing extra in the sauna that could catch fire. For example, do not hang or dry anything on the clothesline or on the stove.
Nowadays, there are saunas that can be lit remotely, so that the clothes are not forgotten in the sauna and the risk of fire is increased.
Always remember to check that there is nothing in the sauna or on the stove that could catch fire.
Ventilation
Ventilation in the sauna should be adequate and continuous. There must be oxygen in the sauna when you are taking a sauna. Ventilation of the sauna should be easy and effective after a sauna. The air should also be changed between sauna sessions. Otherwise you will be confronted with a stale smell.
Can the sauna heater explode?
The heater itself cannot explode, but the resistors can. However, in one case it was due to ceramic stones that were not compatible with the stoves of the company in question.
Fortunately, no one was in the sauna when the explosion occurred. The stones were thrown all over the sauna.
However, this is an exceptional case so no worries about taking a sauna as long as the stove and stones are the right ones. Be sure to check with the heater manufacturer’s instruction manual.
Read more: How to light a wood burning sauna
Safe sauna bathing
Don’t overdo it and heat the sauna too hot or throw the sauna so often that you get burns. Or stay in the sauna too long. Remember to listen to your body, don’t watch what others are doing and leave if you feel uncomfortable.
People with cardiovascular disease should take it easy when starting a sauna and talk to their doctor first. Remember to listen to your body.
Throw the steam so that the hot water vapour does not attack your hands or face. Remember to create the steam in a calm way.
What do you think about this article on What is a Finnish sauna like?
And if I missed something important, please send me a message or comment.
With love,
Sauna-Kati
