Fire safety in the banya

October 1, 2021

Many people build saunas (banyas) at their dachas and country houses. Every banya uses a stove for heating – either wood-burning or electric. Any high-power heating appliance is inherently a fire hazard. In this case, every steam room becomes an object of increased fire risk. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to specific rules, the violation of which can lead to very regrettable consequences.

Many people build saunas (banyas) at their dachas and country houses. Every banya uses a stove for heating – either wood-burning or electric. Any high-power heating appliance is inherently a fire hazard. In this case, every steam room becomes an object of increased fire risk. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to specific rules, the violation of which can lead to very regrettable consequences.

Cracks in the stove itself, as well as in the chimneys, and the soot accumulated in them often become the cause of fires in the banya. We remind you: it is very important to monitor the proper functioning of stoves and chimneys. Wooden or other easily flammable items should be kept at a sufficient distance from hot parts of the stove and chimneys or be well insulated. Since soot and combustion products tend to accumulate in ash pans and smoke passages, it is necessary to regularly clean the stove and promptly eliminate any defects that appear. In addition, in pursuit of hot steam, do not overheat the stove – overheating is another common cause of fires in the banya.

Before lighting the stove, it is essential to check for draft. If there is no draft, the chimney is heated by burning a small amount of firewood. If it still does not appear, all smoke channels of the stove need to be cleaned. When operating the banya, one must ensure that glowing embers do not fall out of the firebox, and when leaving the banya, one should make sure that all fuel has burned out.

There are cases when people simply forget that the banya is being heated. And simple oversight can also lead to a fire. So, you need to constantly monitor the stove.

Damaged or improperly installed electrical wiring is a frequent cause of fires. Therefore, the installation of electrical wiring, especially if you have an electric banya stove, should be taken very seriously.

First and foremost, proper and correct installation of electrical wiring is mandatory. The wire cross-section must correspond to the declared power of the heater. The wire brand must be suitable for high-temperature operation. The electric heater control unit should be installed outside the steam room, in a dry and non-aggressive area.

The temperature in the sauna should be maintained automatically and should not exceed 110 degrees Celsius. If the automatic control fails, the malfunction must be rectified as soon as possible. The power of the electric heater should be selected based on the size of the steam room. It should not be purchased with a large margin. This can adversely affect fire safety.

Natural supply and exhaust ventilation is as necessary for electric heaters as it is for wood-burning stoves. Protective thermal screens on the walls and ceiling are a mandatory indicator of a safe steam room.

Do not forget about the basic "rules": do not drink alcohol in the bathhouse, do not smoke, do not dry clothes over the heater, and do not leave it unattended.

Remember, the fire safety of the bathhouse is almost entirely your responsibility!