Raising the Bar for Code Compliance in American Sauna Design
The sauna market in America is rapidly changing. A once-niche wellness trend has now become a burgeoning segment of residential architecture, and outdoor areas. With increased demand comes increased demand for better materials, better engineering, and more reliable sources of supply. This current trend is the emergence of domestic sauna heater manufacturers, and it will change how saunas will be designed, built, and serviced throughout the United States.
US-made sauna heater manufacturers has impacted domestic sauna builders and has changed the way they do business.
Less Time and Less Risk in Their Supply Chains
Historically, sauna heaters were manufactured overseas. Although they performed well, they typically had long shipping times, limited availability, and uncertain delivery timelines. Customers frequently had to wait months for their sauna to be installed or completed.
The emergence of domestic sauna heater manufacturers such, as Kuuma and Scandia, has changed this paradigm. By manufacturing sauna heaters in the US, sauna builders utilize a more reliable supply chain for components and respond more quickly to customer requests. Quicker lead times allow for a much more efficient transition from the designing phase of a sauna project to the installation of a sauna without loss in the quality of the product.
Made for American Homes, Codes, & Conditions
A distinct advantage of US-made sauna heaters is that they are manufactured to meet American construction regulations and to work in US environments. The manner in which an electrical system is designed, the different requirements to make an electrical system safe, and the installation methods differ significantly in compared to Europe and other parts of the world.
Heaters manufactured in the United States take these items into consideration from the beginning of the design process. Therefore, the heater will be designed to better comply with the US electrical code, provide for an easier permitting process, and allow for easier installation by professional builders.
What Does the Building Code and Standard Practices Say About Saunas?
As we are located in the state of Minnesota, here saunas are classified by state/local building codes as either an auxiliary structure or a permanent heated room. Thus requiring Minnesota state/local building code compliance, and compliance with the National Electrical Code. Sauna heaters will be subject to inspection and approval for use as sauna warmers, which have a required minimum clearance, a dedicated circuit, and an electrical disconnect device.
Kyler and Jayson, sauna builders at BW Sauna, consider the harsh cold climate and moisture control when designing and building saunas. Proper air sealing, vapour barrier, and R-value insulation will help eliminate heat loss and condensation from both outdoor (not attached), and indoor (attached) sauna systems.
Planning for the Near Future
BW Sauna is committed to monitoring the latest technology and trends as they build saunas to today’s codes, inspection standards and proven best practices.
If you would like advice on purchasing a sauna and selecting a builder who will provide assistance with design, construction, and obtaining approvals, we are available to help with these issues from start to finish!
