Sauna Room Require Fire Alarm Notification?

4/23/2025

Does a Sauna room require fire alarm notification?

Is there any code requirement on this one way or another?

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5 Comments

Glenn Berger

4/23/2025 08:34:17 am

Is this a Sauna Room within a private residence or in a overall bigger occupancy?

The requirement would be covered under General Provisions of where notification devices must be provided.

Bart Meinhardt

4/23/2025 09:44:50 am

International Fire Code Section 907.5.2.3.1 requires visual alarm are to be provided in public use areas and common use areas.

With alarm notification devices in sauna's the high heat environment, it will exceed the temperature operating range of the strobe and usually the device warps/melts and causes ground faults or failures. The best solution is if there are windows in the sauna is to position strobes outside the window on an adjacent wall and set the strobe to the 110 or 115 cd.

Todd E Wyatt

4/23/2025 10:26:30 am

Fire Alarm and Detection Systems (FADS) are required based on the scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2024) per 907.2 WHERE REQUIRED—New Buildings and Structures, SECTIONS 907.2.1 THROUGH 907.2.23 ...

IBC-2024
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 907 Fire Alarm and Detection Systems
907.2 WHERE REQUIRED—New Buildings and Structures
An approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with SECTIONS 907.2.1 THROUGH 907.2.23 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5, unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code.
Not fewer than one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or waterflow detection devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due to sprinklers, a single fire alarm box shall be installed.
Exceptions:
1. The manual fire alarm box is not required for fire alarm systems dedicated to elevator recall control and supervisory service.
2. The manual fire alarm box is not required for Group R-2 occupancies unless required by the fire code official to provide a means for fire watch personnel to initiate an alarm during a sprinkler system impairment event. Where provided, the manual fire alarm box shall not be located in an area that is open to the public.

... based on the following Occupancy Classification (OC) that the sauna is located ...

907.2.2 Group B
907.2.3 Group E
907.2.4 Group F
907.2.5 Group H
907.2.6 Group I
907.2.7 Group M
907.2.8 Group R-1
907.2.9 Group R-2
907.2.10 Group S

... and/or the following special conditions :

907.2.11 Single- And Multiple-Station Smoke Alarms
907.2.12 Special Amusement Areas
907.2.13 High-Rise Buildings
907.2.14 Atriums Connecting More Than Two Stories
907.2.15 High-Piled Combustible Storage Areas
907.2.16 Aerosol Storage Uses
907.2.17 Lumber, Wood Structural Panel and Veneer Mills
907.2.18 Underground Buildings With Smoke Control Systems
907.2.19 Deep Underground Buildings
907.2.20 Covered and Open Mall Buildings
907.2.21 Residential Aircraft Hangars
907.2.22 Airport Traffic Control Towers
907.2.23 Energy Storage Systems

The referenced standard (NFPA 72-2023) prescribes HOW the FADS is to be designed, installed, tested, and maintained but it is the scoping Code that prescribes WHERE the FADS is required.

Jack G

4/24/2025 11:28:13 am

There are detectors, horns, strobes, alarm bells that are rated for the sauna heat. The saunas I m familiar with also alarm if the heat inside gets too high.
This ( sauna) could also catch fire inside by the electrical elements heating the water .
NFPA requires they be protected.

Shihab Sha

4/28/2025 07:57:02 am

Not typically inside — They should be placed outside the sauna in an accessible area. Ensure that the audibility of the audible notification appliances is at least 15 dBA above the ambient sound level. If notification devices are provided inside the sauna room, ensure that they do not exceed their operating temperature limits in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.

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Sauna Room Require Fire Alarm Notification?

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