Saunas Considered "Bathrooms" for Sprinklers?

3/21/2024

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.

However,
Causes of sauna fires over the years have included:

Electrical malfunction
Drying of clothes or towels over the heating element
Newspapers or magazines being left in the sauna
Charring of the wood in the sauna to a point where risk of it catching on fire is increased (pyrolytic decomposition)

286 Degree Heads are typical......
As it is a higher heated room/area/space than a common "bathroom"

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?

James Phifer

3/21/2024 08:22:16 am

Seems to fit the definition of a compartment dedicated to personal hygiene.
The following definition is from the Oxford language dictionary.

Sauna- a small room used as a hot-air or steam bath for cleaning and refreshing the body.

Anthony

3/21/2024 08:36:36 am

Saunas =/= bathroom.

Many saunas are built out of combustible construction (wood) and pose a higher fire risk. Bathrooms 'generally' do not carry as heavy a load of combustible material.

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.

See this NFPA Journal article.
https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/nfpa-journal/2011/11/01/nfpa-13-and-permissible-sprinkler-omissions

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.
I'm curious to hear more by other areas around the country.

Todd E Wyatt

3/21/2024 09:01:03 am

You did not identify what the OCs (Occupancy Classifications) are included in the building and/or what the scoping Code (e.g. IBC--2021 vs IRC-2021) is.

The adopted scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2021) determines WHERE an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is required to be installed based on the building’s Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) and/or Specific Building Areas and Hazards (per IBC-2021 903.2.11).

The “Referenced Standard” (e.g. NFPA 13-2019, NFPA 13R-2019) per the scoping Code identifies HOW the ASPS is to be “designed and installed.”

The “exempt location” you referenced is per IBC-2021 903.3.1.1.2 Bathrooms : “In Group R occupancies sprinklers shall not be required in bathrooms that do not exceed 55 square feet (5 m2) in area and are located within individual dwelling units or sleeping units, provided that walls and ceilings, including the walls and ceilings behind a shower enclosure or tub, are of noncombustible or limited-combustible materials with a 15-minute thermal barrier rating.”

Since “saunas” do not meet the intent (e.g. limit combustibles) of this exemption, an ASPS would be required UNLESS it is in an OC that does not require an ASPS.

Todd E Wyatt

3/21/2024 09:01:33 am

REFERENCES
IBC-2021
Chapter 35 Referenced Standards
User note:
About this chapter: The International Building Code® contains numerous references to standards promulgated by other organizations that are used to provide requirements for materials and methods of construction. This chapter contains a comprehensive list of all standards that are referenced in this code. These standards, in essence, are part of this code to the extent of the reference to the standard.
This chapter lists the standards that are referenced in various sections of this document. The standards are listed herein by the promulgating agency of the standard, the standard identification, the effective date and title, and the section or sections of this document that reference the standard. The application of the referenced standards shall be as specified in Section 102.4.

IBC-2021
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.2 Where Required
Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12.

903.3 Installation Requirements
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections 903.3.1 through 903.3.8.
903.3.1 Standards

903.3.1.1 NFPA 13 Sprinkler Systems
903.3.1.1.1 Exempt Locations
903.3.1.1.2 Bathrooms
In Group R occupancies sprinklers shall not be required in bathrooms that do not exceed 55 square feet (5 m2) in area and are located within individual dwelling units or sleeping units, provided that walls and ceilings, including the walls and ceilings behind a shower enclosure or tub, are of noncombustible or limited-combustible materials with a 15-minute thermal barrier rating.

903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems
903.3.1.2.1 Balconies and Decks
903.3.1.2.2 Corridors and Balconies in the Means of Egress
903.3.1.2.3 Attics

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.

I would argue against a Sauna being "Bathing Capable" due to the "convenience" factor of the unit going beyond the normally required bath/shower.

One big difference is the heat source located within the room. A closet that complies with omission requirements of a sprinkler, still requires a sprinkler as soon as a water heater/washer/dryer/ is placed within the space. I see the direct correlation between the two approaches and would provide protection.

Jack G

3/21/2024 09:14:11 am

Consider the following:
Most saunas have a top temperature of 194 degrees F.
Sauna is combustible - most municipalities require a 1 hour separation or sprinkler protection.
Human skin starts to feel pain at 113 degrees. Sauna temperatures could boil a person. A fire ( from electrical or wood charcoal or towels ) would definitely cook a person whether they were conscious or not.
Sauna manufacturers ( steam rooms also) indicate fire sprinklers should be installed ( that’s good enough for me) 286 F or higher head.
So it’s best to protect them ( domestic water - sprinkler ) is ok if installed with proper protection from back flow- expansion)
Opinion.

RayJ link

3/21/2024 11:06:56 am

Bottom line, it would be really cheap and petty to place the value of a life over the cost of 1 fricking sprinkler head.

Franck

3/21/2024 11:31:05 am

Definetly not a bathroom.
As indicated above : saunas have an electrical heating system, they are made of wood (as wood does not heat up as much as metal or some other surfaces), the combustible load is far more important than in a bathroom and sources of ignitions are more present as well.
Definetly require sprinkler protection.

Note that situation is slightly different with Hamam where moisture is at a higher level and wood is not used for constrcution (but tiles, instead of wood). Mostly for hygienic purposes.

Saunas Considered "Bathrooms" for Sprinklers?

Leave a Reply.

ALL-ACCESS

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY

YOUR POST

PE EXAM

FILTERS

ARCHIVES

PE PREP SERIES