Are Saunas within dwelling units considered bathrooms?
Bathroom: within a dwelling unit, any room or compartment dedicated to personal hygiene, containing a toilet, sink, or bathing capability such as a shower or tub. Would saunas fall under the definition of bathroom, since they are dedicated to personal hygiene and contain a bathing capability? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
12 Comments
L GOLDEN
3/21/2024 08:15:19 am
Saunas by Websters Definition are hygiene/bathing areas.
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Anonymous
3/21/2024 08:15:20 am
Is this a sauna that would be found in a public gym, or a stand alone unit like...a sound booth? If it's a public gym, I would and have protected them as any other room (mine was over 55 sq. ft.). What type of construction; wood or tile?
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James Phifer
3/21/2024 08:22:16 am
Seems to fit the definition of a compartment dedicated to personal hygiene.
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Anthony
3/21/2024 08:36:36 am
Saunas =/= bathroom.
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Chris N
3/21/2024 08:38:04 am
Generally saunas are constructed of wood. While Webster dictionary says its for cleaning, generally bathrooms are constructed of tiles, porcelain, and gyp. So the rational doesn't seem to match with the intent.
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S
3/21/2024 08:55:52 am
Hopefully this is helpful. I work in a 12 Jurisdiction area and in all cases we have had to put a 286F (typically use black poly or white if the lighting is white) sprinkler inside the sauna. We even had one case the sauna was out the back door installed next to the house and the AHJ required a sprinkler inside the unit. It is fully combustible, plus all the exact reasons listed above by L Golden.
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Todd E Wyatt
3/21/2024 09:01:03 am
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Todd E Wyatt
3/21/2024 09:01:33 am
REFERENCES
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Dan Wilder
3/21/2024 09:04:10 am
The reference provided is the NFPA 13 definition and if the room complies with 9.2.4.1.1 (13-22' Ed.) for noncombustible finishes possibly. As these units are typically independent of the room (pieced together), the 15 min thermal barrier may not typically be available for the front of the unit into the rest of the compartment so if the install can be the Sauna and the adjoining room all within 55ft², there may be a chance to argue.
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Jack G
3/21/2024 09:14:11 am
Consider the following:
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Franck
3/21/2024 11:31:05 am
Definetly not a bathroom.
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