The dream of any homeowner or summer resident is to have their own bathhouse. Here you can relax and take a steam bath, as well as heal your body after hard everyday life. However, this is only possible if you observe normal conditions. There should be no drafts in the steam room, there should be a certain level of humidity and a fairly high temperature.
Lack of humidity in the room, excess carbon dioxide can cause irreparable harm to health. Is ventilation needed in a steam room? To ensure the required circulation of fresh and hot air, you simply cannot do without it.
Does a steam room need ventilation?
Let's imagine a picture: there are several people with brooms in the steam room. They're steaming with great pleasure, actively breathe, thereby releasing carbon dioxide, which, in turn, mixes with hot steam and air. It gradually becomes harder to breathe, the flow fresh air absent. To swallow it, you need to leave the steam room. Is there enough strength for this? What needs to be done to ensure comfortable conditions in the steam room?
Ventilation options in the steam room
Properly executed ventilation creates comfortable conditions in the steam room. This occurs due to the effective movement of air flow, which comes from the oven and from the outside, and also exits through special openings to the outside. In most cases, ventilation in a steam room is based on the principle of natural removal of exhaust steam-saturated air from the room and an influx of fresh air. This is very important in wooden buildings, because excess moisture leads to rapid deterioration of the walls of the structure.
Steam room with small area do not require special expensive equipment. If the walls of the steam room are made of brick, and the room can freely accommodate 10-12 people, then installation will be required supply valve or exhaust fan. With help supply ventilation You can automatically regulate temperature, humidity and Ventilation in the steam room is necessary for the following reasons:
- An unpleasant odor appears in the room.
- Mold and fungi on wooden structures.
- The appearance of condensation on the surface of walls and ceilings.
- Mechanical ventilation - air inflow and outflow is carried out using fans. This system allows you to create comfortable air exchange in any room. But in a steam room this will be associated with large financial costs.
- Combined ventilation - the outflow of exhaust air is carried out using an exhaust fan, the influx of fresh air is carried out naturally through the inlet.
Mechanical or natural ventilation - which is better?
Mechanical ventilation can be used, but its use is associated with some inconveniences:
- To increase or decrease the air exchange rate, you will need to close the exhaust valve to create additional load on the fan.
- Air extraction can be carried out with such intensity that in order to maintain the required steam temperature, it will be necessary to additionally heat the sauna stove.
Therefore, let us dwell in more detail on natural ventilation. How to make ventilation in a steam room without spending a lot of money?
Ventilation device in the steam room
The simplest option is a supply and exhaust opening in the foundation or walls. In this case, the location and size of these holes plays an important role. Sometimes, ventilation equipment can be installed for more active air exchange.
There is no single ventilation scheme for a steam room, since they differ not only in the design features, but also in the materials from which they are built. In this case, there are some rules, following which you can choose the most optimal ventilation for a particular case.
The holes must be calculated based on the volume of the steam room: so for 1 m3 of ventilated area, the hole size should be 24 cm2.
The main task in the bathhouse is ventilation in the steam room, which is necessary to maintain a sufficient temperature level and high humidity, however, do not make the ventilation holes too small size, since as a result the required level of air exchange will not be provided. The size of the exhaust openings must correspond to the size of the supply openings, otherwise air exchange will be disrupted. In some situations, to quickly dry the bath and quickly remove exhaust air, it is allowed to make two exhaust holes.
Location of supply and exhaust openings
In most cases, the stove is located in a steam room. The inlet must be located near the stove at a distance from the floor of no more than 30 cm. This is the most popular, but not the most the best option organizing ventilation for the steam room. In this case, it is much more effective when the supply openings are located under the floor in the foundation. To prevent the entry of rodents, it is advisable to equip these openings with metal grilles.
Such ventilation in the steam room will solve two problems at the same time: it will deliver fresh air to the bathhouse, and also effectively dry the walls and floors after completion of the procedures. In this case, it is advisable to lay with a small gap to ensure free passage of air flow.
Ventilation vents
To ensure the required air conditions during the steam room heating process, ventilation ducts equipped with special plugs (lids) that can be closed (opened) from the steam room, thereby regulating air exchange, temperature and humidity.
Effective moisture removal
To make ventilation in the steam room with your own hands effective, it is forbidden to do the following:
- Install ventilation vents that are smaller in size than designed.
- Place the exhaust and supply openings opposite each other - after all, the incoming air flow is removed almost immediately, without having time to give off oxygen, as a result a draft is formed, which is contraindicated for a steam room.
Let's consider the most popular options for ventilation systems in the steam room:
Ventilation in the steam room of a bathhouse, diagram - which one to choose?
The schemes listed above are the most commonly used in steam rooms, but there are many combinations and variations of them. Based on the ventilation system options presented above, you can develop your own scheme for a specific steam room option.
Ventilation in the bathhouse is simply necessary. First of all, ventilation is intended to ensure the safety of people who take bath procedures.
Everyone knows that when breathing a person inhales oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide. In a tightly closed room, after some time he will begin to suffocate. And in a steam room, where the temperature and concentration of water vapor are high, this will begin to happen even faster.
Relaxing on the shelf, you won’t have time to get to the rescue one. The cost of an incorrect ventilation device can be prohibitive.
The second important factor is wood rotting. Enjoying and benefiting from bath procedures while smelling rot and mold is very problematic. Therefore, proper ventilation in a Russian bathhouse is the key not only to its benefits, but also to the health of vacationers.
The photo shows wood rotting due to insufficient drying of the wood
Experts believe that a ventilation device in a bathhouse in which the air in the room is changed three times in one hour can be considered correct. The ventilation scheme in the bathhouse is selected depending on the type of structure and materials used in the construction of the walls.
General principles of ventilation in a bathhouse
The correct design of a bathhouse and ventilation in it, regardless of the type of structure, is based on the following basic principles:
- The fresh air that enters the steam room should not disturb its temperature regime;
- Exhaust air, which contains the most carbon dioxide, must be removed from the room;
- The arrangement of air in the steam room should be layered: the hottest air is under the ceiling, on the bench it is as comfortable as possible and the coldest air is near the floor.
Note!
There should be no draft in the steam room!
If all these principles are followed, then bath procedures will bring the maximum effect for which they are designed - restoration of mental and physical strength.
Ventilation device in a free-standing wooden bath
Wood is considered an ideal building material for a bathhouse. Wooden walls“breathe”, so the issue of air exchange is partially solved naturally.
However, even in wooden building In the steam room, ventilation is necessary. At a minimum, for quickly drying the wood after taking bath procedures.
Work plays a major role in air exchange processes sauna stove. When water is poured onto a column of hot steam is created, which rises upward. As it cools, it lowers, pushing the used air out of the steam room.
Together, the above factors allow you to create in the steam room required humidity and temperature, and ensure normal air circulation.
Let's take a closer look at the ventilation system in wooden baths. The main tasks for us, naturally, will be to ensure the flow of fresh air and the removal of exhaust air. Our instructions will help you cope with these tasks.
Ensuring air flow
The correct frame is laid in such a way that the lower crowns are free. With this installation, access to fresh air from the street is ensured.
In addition, around the steam room door, in any case, there will be gaps sufficient for its entry. The stove in such baths is placed closer to the door so that it heats up immediately.
If the steam room is designed for 6 or more people, a separate air duct is connected to the heater, which supports the combustion process. If you make this air duct double, then the problem of fresh air supply is solved once and for all.
Exhaust air removal
If the heater is heated directly from the steam room, then the exhaust air is exhausted through the firebox into. At correct installation oven, no additional holes required.
In order to dry the room after completing the bath procedures, a small hole (up to 200x200 mm) can be cut in the wall. During the heating and operation of the steam room, it is closed with a special plug.
If the steam room has a window, such a hole is not needed. Sometimes a window from the steam room is cut into the washing room, and in the washing room either a through hole to the street or another window is made. Thus, when drying, two birds are killed at once, both the steam room and the washing room are dried.
Thus, the myth that ventilation is not needed for a wooden bathhouse is confirmed if the following conditions are met:
- The steam room is designed for 2-4 people;
- Lower crowns log frames are laid freely;
- The stove-heater is heated directly from the steam room;
- There is a hole or window in the wall for ventilation.
Actually, such family baths are usually built on personal plots.
Ventilation device in a free-standing brick bathhouse
A brick structure, as well as a structure made of foam concrete, expanded clay blocks and other permanent structures, is another matter. Ventilation in brick bath more complex.
The first difference is the floors in brick building must be ventilated. The thing is that the floors in the bathhouse are constantly in contact with water, and if they are solid, then the boards will have to be replaced approximately every three to four years. You don’t even have to talk about unpleasant odors and mold.
Ventilation of the floor in the bathhouse is laid at the stage of foundation construction. To do this, special holes are made in the foundation on opposite sides. These holes will provide through air circulation under the floor and drying of the joists.
The second difference is the mandatory presence of special supply and exhaust openings in the steam room. There may be several of them. Two supply holes are made at floor level and covered with grates to prevent rodents from entering.
There are 4 most popular schemes for ventilation in a bathhouse, from which you can choose the most suitable one for you.
- Scheme No. 1. The supply hole is located behind the stove at a distance of 50 cm from the floor. An exhaust hole is cut in the opposite wall no higher than 30 cm from the floor. A bath fan is installed on it, which will ensure air circulation.
According to this scheme, the air in the steam room is heated evenly, the incoming air is heated by the stove and rises. As it cools, it falls down and exits through the outlet. The lower it is located, the stronger the air flow will be. When using a fan, the outlet can be installed ventilation valve.
- Scheme No. 2. Suitable for those baths where the stove is heated from the steam room. In this case, the influx is made directly under the stove. The flow of fresh air is sucked in by the stove, supporting combustion, and provides an influx directly into the room.
The exhaust vent is located above the floor and a corrugated pipe is connected to it, which rises up to the level of the roof and goes outside. In other cases, the ventilation duct is made in the wall.
Note!
If the walls of the bathhouse are made of expanded clay concrete blocks, then it is best to install ventilation ducts during construction.
- Scheme No. 3. According to this scheme, ventilation for the bathhouse is arranged through cracks in the floor. In this case, the supply hole is made in the wall near the stove at a height of 30-50 cm from the floor. The air, heating up, rises and exits through the cracks between the floor boards into the basement. It is thrown out from the basement space using a special pipe.
Note! For the normal functioning of this type of ventilation, it is necessary to leave 5-10 mm gaps between the floorboards.
- Scheme No. 4. This scheme is suitable in cases where the stove also heats other rooms.
Fresh air is sucked in by the stove through holes in the floor and, passing through the firebox, goes out into the steam room and into the washing room. It is removed from the premises through openings located below, above the floor level.
There are also combined ventilation schemes, but to install them yourself, you need to consult with a specialist.
The video in this article will help you understand clearly how ventilation is arranged in a bathhouse.
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Proper implementation of the appropriate project improves performance characteristics object and provides high level safety and comfort. Properly designed ventilation will help extend the life of the building. After reading this article, you will find out whether ventilation is needed in the bathhouse, you will be able to create necessary design with my own hands. Here you will find information about materials and individual components, installation and construction technologies. Professional recommendations will help eliminate errors and reduce costs.
High-quality ventilation is one of the most important components of a good bath
In order to accurately determine the parameters of the project, it is necessary to clarify its intended purpose. Creation for a bathhouse allows you to solve the following practical problems:
- a supply of fresh air is ensured;
- combustion products, carbon dioxide, and other harmful substances are removed;
- The destructive processes of rotting and corrosion are prevented.
Of course, the operation of this system should not worsen other consumer characteristics of the building. For example, if the supply of cold air is excessive, the cost of maintaining a high temperature will increase.
This list of actions will help you figure out how to do ventilation so as not to miss important points:
- Determine the path of air flow (through ducts and indoors).
- Find out how to organize ventilation in different rooms buildings.
- It is necessary to take into account the combined influence of ventilation and heating, the characteristics of wall materials and other characteristics of the building.
- You should find out which nodes and finished goods will be useful for creating an effective modern ventilation system.
How does high-quality ventilation work in a bathhouse: diagram and design, features of different rooms
For electrical wiring, an appropriate cable is used, which ensures reliable insulation even when immersed in liquid. The switch is installed in the rest room, or in another room with a normal level of humidity.
For ventilation in the bathhouse sink, you can use a small window or a special channel. In any case, you need to configure the system in such a way as to eliminate drafts. You can combine the air supply parts here and in the steam room to increase the air temperature and ensure ventilation of wooden floor coverings.
Ventilation design in the dressing room
In this room, the organization of access to fresh air does not differ from a similar system in a regular living room. Natural and forced ventilation in various combinations. We must remember that hypothermia provokes the occurrence of colds and other diseases.
For your information! Log houses have special abilities. They create comfortable temperature conditions in rooms without special technical means due to natural micro-ventilation of the walls. For intensive ventilation, you can open doors and windows.
Related article:
In a separate publication you will learn about the most successful layouts baths with an extension in the form of a veranda or terrace.
How to properly ventilate a bathhouse: differences between buildings made of different materials
This section examines in detail architectural features buildings. Proper ventilation in the bathhouse should not have a negative impact on structural parts. Moreover, it creates favorable conditions for extending service life without overhaul. In order to avoid mistakes and unnecessary actions, the appropriate system must be created at the design stage. Example with concrete foundation explains the convenience of installing holes using embedded parts. Drilling them in a frozen block will be accompanied by significant difficulties.
Frame construction
The gaps between the frame elements are filled with mineral wool. It is covered with a polymer film to prevent moisture from entering. Outside - install lining, paint, and other finishing coatings.
Such a design can be created quickly and at minimal cost. For light structure you don't need a strong foundation. The multilayer wall structure has low thermal conductivity, which reduces operating costs. In order not to break their tightness, the ventilation channels in frame bath installed in advance, along with the installation of power structural elements.
For your information! If you use slabs of polyurethane foam, the cost of the project will increase slightly. But in this case no special precautions are needed. The insulating properties of these materials do not deteriorate in conditions of high humidity.
Nuances that are taken into account when equipping a log house
For correct definition ventilation parameters in wooden bath The following features must be taken into account:
- Buildings made from these materials have natural ventilation. But its performance is not enough for a bath.
- Supply and exhaust system created in such a way as to ensure rapid removal of moisture after completion of a session of wellness procedures.
- If forced ventilation is selected, electrical wiring will be installed taking into account the proximity of flammable materials. The rules of specialized regulations must be strictly followed.
- Treatment with anti-rotting agents and others chemicals carry out carefully to prevent them from entering the indoor atmosphere. It is advisable not to use potential hazardous substances for creating decorative and protective coatings in the washing room and steam room.
For your information! Such buildings are installed on strip foundation. The base of the floor is made of concrete. Holes are created in these elements at the stage of pouring the solution.
Related article:
In a separate publication you will find interesting ideas for finishing steam rooms and relaxation rooms, and also learn the main stages of installation.
Correct installation of ventilation in a brick house
Structures made from these materials are highly resistant to various external influences. They can withstand heavy loads without damage. They are not destroyed by changes in temperature and humidity, harmful insects and microorganisms. In the absence of flammability, no special measures are required when installing power supply routes.
In order to avoid such heavy operations, the necessary passes are made during the laying process. To ensure the work is carried out accurately, marks are made in the design documentation. At the project preparation stage, the parameters and installation lines of electrical networks are determined.
Application of bastu for a bath: diagram, operation
This technology has been used in Sweden for hundreds of years. It provides effective ventilation of rooms without electric drives. Additional benefit is economical consumption of thermal energy.
The figure shows a system for two rooms. In the steam room, air is supplied to the space under the stove. Using a special casing, the basic principle of the technology is implemented: “inverted glass”. A heated air stream under pressure enters the rooms. Output paths - as in standard version, through a box, with a fence made of lower parts rooms. The use of bastu ventilation in a Russian bath will allow you to quickly dry the floors. Pay attention to the separate inlet installed in the rest room. With the help of a dosed supply of cold/warm air, you can maintain comfortable temperature conditions at any time of the year.
Ventilation device in the bathhouse: selection and correct use of the main structural components
Before you start studying individual elements, it is necessary to note the operating principles of different types of ventilation:
When choosing forced ventilation, it is necessary to correctly use the appropriate electrically driven equipment.
Window in the bathhouse: where to place it, what are the requirements for materials
When choosing suitable products, take into account climatic conditions in the region. For northern regions, triple glazed windows with good insulating characteristics are installed. If you purchase plastic frames, you need to check the number of cameras.
To eliminate fogging, you can use the data from the following table. The values in it correspond to the temperature outside, at which inside droplets of moisture condense on glass:
| Room temperature, °C | Humidity, % | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 30 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 | |
| 0 | -20 | -15 | -12 | -6,9 | -3,1 | 0 |
| 5 | -15,8 | -11 | -7,5 | -2,2 | 1,8 | 4,8 |
| 10 | -11,8 | -6,8 | -2,8 | 2,7 | 6,8 | 10,1 |
| 15 | -7,6 | -2,5 | -1,4 | 7,4 | 11,7 | 15,8 |
| 20 | -3,7 | 1,8 | 5,9 | 11,8 | 16,3 | 20,1 |
| 25 | -0,4 | 6,1 | 10,4 | 16,6 | 21,2 | 24,8 |
When choosing an installation location, enter the dimensions of the block in the opening with the following gaps:
- bottom: from 40 to 60 mm;
- top: from 15 to 25 mm;
- on the sides: from 15 to 25 mm.
It is necessary to take into account a significant change in the size of the opening in a wooden structure. To prevent damage to the frame, special damping elements are installed. IN brick buildings such precautions will not be necessary. The doors should open freely. If necessary, other curtains are installed from the inside.
For your information! To avoid damage by high temperatures and to prevent deterioration of the atmosphere, windows are not installed in the steam room.
Video: technology for installing windows in a bathhouse with your own hands
Parameters of a suitable fan
A forced system is installed for large premises. It will be needed in a building made of brick or other materials that do not allow air to pass through.
When choosing a fan for a bath, check the following parameters:
- To calculate productivity, multiply by 5. A reserve (20-40%) is added taking into account the characteristics of a particular room.
- The housings and impellers of high-quality specialized equipment are made from polymers (composite materials) that are resistant to high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation.
- Rubber gaskets reduce noise and Negative influence vibrations on the integrity of the structure.
- The shaft is mounted on durable ball bearings, which perform their functions fully without lubrication or other routine procedures.
- All electrical components reliably protected from moisture.
- When equipped, air movement in the opposite direction is prevented when the equipment is turned off.
The video below explains the DIY fan installation process. These instructions can be used for installing equipment in a bathhouse, bathroom, or toilet.
Types of valves for ventilation ducts
A non-return ventilation valve for a bathhouse does not let cold air in from the outside. Similar phenomena can occur, for example, when strong wind. The figure shows that the damper is moved by a counterweight. There are no electric drives or other complex components, which explains the relatively low cost.
Valves are selected taking into account different needs:
- The corresponding modifications are designed for vertical or horizontal installation.
- They produce special products for round and square air ducts.
- To increase resistance to corrosion processes, metal valves are coated with a layer of zinc.
- Some models are designed specifically to work with a fan.
Installing a vent in a bathhouse
The optimal path for air movement helps to correctly determine the installation parameters of the inlet and outlet openings. If the vents in the bath are installed at the same level, the required uniform heating effect will not be obtained. The flow will be directed along the shortest path, creating a draft. It is also recommended to consider the following points when planning:
Cute, resistant to high temperature diffusers
Article
To determine the value of ventilation in the bath you should know its purpose:
- Rapid heating of the room, uniform distribution of heat. Savings in heating costs.
- Constant air renewal while vaping. This is necessary for the comfort and health of vacationers.
- Quick removal of moist air. Carrying out mandatory drying of the room.
- Preservation of the building for more for a long time. No fungus or mold appears. Objects do not deform or change color when exposed to moisture.
No or insufficient ventilation Unpleasant odors gradually accumulate in the room and the air becomes damp. There is no fresh air coming in, it becomes more difficult to breathe. There is a risk of poisoning from accumulated carbon monoxide. Without ventilation, gradually the entire warm air will go up, and cooling will accumulate below.
Proper ventilation system in baths
In saunas made of natural logs any cutting of holes to provide ventilation is considered unnecessary. The lower crowns of the walls are laid with holes installed, through which a moderate amount of fresh air passes. If you have a stove-heater in which the vent is also designed to vent air outside, you can limit yourself to its presence. Air is let in through an open door; a gap of 5-7 mm is sufficient.
Ventilation is designed for regular intake of fresh air into the bathhouse and outflow of cooled and humid air. For fresh air flow need to build vents. If they are not there, then you can use windows and doors. Exhaust also occurs through special holes; a stove ash can be used; the chimney is of great importance in the outflow of steam. To ensure complete control of air exchange, the openings are equipped with shutters, which can be adjusted to stop or resume the flow and exit of air.
There is a large list of ventilation systems:
- For inlet and outlet openings located opposite each other, one level is used. In some cases, placing the inlet low can help retain heat longer. To activate air exchange, a fan is installed; an air duct or deflector can also be used. Holes cannot be positioned exactly at the same level. As a result of the rapid release of air, accumulations of cold air may form at the bottom and warm air in the rest of the bath.
- Air flows directed by an operating ventilation device reduce the pressure inside the duct. The exhaust air is drawn out due to a decrease in pressure inside the bath. To raise the pressure again, fresh air is introduced.
- The vents can be positioned in this way: the supply air vent is 30 cm from the floor, the outlet located opposite does not reach the ceiling 30 cm. Fresh air is immediately heated from the stove, rises, gradually leaving the room.
To ensure constant control over the speed and volume of incoming and outgoing air, dampers are created. It is advisable to make them retractable, opening them to the required distance. The length of the air duct is determined by the size of the bath, as well as the maximum volume of required incoming air.
When the room is just being heated with a hot stove, all openings should be covered. When the temperature becomes optimal for vaping, the valves are opened slightly and immediately adjusted so that the exchange of air does not change the temperature in the room. Both inlet and outlet openings should have a connector close to the same. To increase the flow of fresh air, you can slightly enlarge the outlet.
The supply connector should not be larger than the output connector. This leads to reverse draft, which promotes the exit of fresh air from the bathhouse, rather than its active circulation.
Ventilation in a Russian bath
In a classic bathhouse, created according to the Russian model, no special holes are made, so air exchange should be done in a more natural way. Typically, conventional ventilation is used to introduce a flow of fresh air. You can open the door leading to the street and the window opposite it. Sometimes used forced exhaust at open door. To better get rid of accumulating dampness, you should promptly sweep away the leaves from the broom. Benches and other wooden objects that become very wet can be dried; sometimes, flaps of sheets are used. These procedures will not allow heavy steam to form and will remove unpleasant odors and decay products from the room.
After the bathhouse has been ventilated and dried, need to start steaming. To do this, pour water in small portions onto the stones. The prepared steam quickly rises up and remains there for a long time, so it may turn out that it is already very hot at the top, but still cool at the bottom. If there is a strong temperature difference, you can wait until the steam drops or use artificial methods to lower it.
It is enough to work with brooms to create movement in the steam room, the air will immediately mix. Swings of a towel or broom should be carried out closer to the ceiling.
You can make a fan: on the wooden handle there is a loop of of stainless steel, on which the fabric is stretched. Horizontal or vertical movements this device to move warm and cold air. Sometimes people start using it when making steam. To do this, one person pours water on the stones, and the second works with a fan.
In the steam room
In classic bath ventilation schemes it is assumed air flow in the steam room from below. The hole is usually located below half a meter from the floor. The hood can be placed close to the ceiling by making a hole on the opposite wall. Regulation of the level of humidity and heat of the air is carried out by extending or closing the valves.
The best option, especially for small steam room, is to create an inlet opening next to the stove. This is necessary to instantly warm up the incoming fresh air. This arrangement will not allow the formation of strong drafts and helps to avoid large temperature differences in different parts steam rooms Heat from the steam room can not only be removed outside, but also transferred to other rooms for high-quality heating.
Proper ventilation works by bringing fresh air under the box. Air masses leave the device through the upper opening. The steam room warms up quite evenly until the warm air reaches the bottom of the box. Hot air will gradually displace colder air, providing warming before leaving the room. The steam room heats up and dries out at the same time.
In the waiting room of the bath
The ventilation channel is directly connected to the duct, the diameter of which usually exceeds the chimney by no more than 20%. With these parameters, oxygen fills the room rather than leaving it. There is no need for air flow from the underground.
The walls of the stove, if there is one in the dressing room, needs to be placed close to the floor. The shelves are not necessarily placed in a strictly horizontal position. They are able to slow down the rise of heat to the ceiling. To better absorb warm air, it is better to equip the stove with several chimneys.
Sometimes, when heating a bathhouse, a large amount of smoke is formed and retained in the room. This means that the air inside the dressing room is colder than outside. environment. Cold air is somewhat more massive than warm air, so it often creates a shell in chimneys. In order to push out this air, you need to equip an additional door for burning ash.
Forced ventilation
Ventilation in the bathhouse using electronic systems carried out, if you ensure good air circulation natural ways impossible. Fans can be installed on both the supply and exhaust vents. They accelerate the movement of air masses, providing the room with fresh air and quickly removing humid air.
Exhaust ventilation
The design of this ventilation always includes exhaust fan. For air circulation, a supply air supply must be constructed. Sometimes cracks in the walls are used to bring in fresh air, or windows or doors are opened slightly. The advantage of exhaust ventilation is the reduction of pressure in the bathhouse. The action must be compensated by a constant flow of air from outside.
Ventilation with powerful exhaust perfectly removes harmful gases, wet air With unpleasant smell. You can build such a ventilation system not only in the steam room, but also in showers, washrooms, areas with a swimming pool or in bathrooms. Typically, a basic exhaust ventilation system kit includes a fan and a duct. If the device is too noisy, you can use a silencer.
Forced ventilation
Installed according to the exhaust principle, however the fan must be placed on the inlet. When the work is activated supply system ventilation, there is an increase in pressure in the room, which must be compensated in a timely manner by the release of air through the hood or gaps in the walls, floor, ceiling, vents, and doors.
Supply fans are not considered comfortable if they operate at cold temperatures. In winter, they supply ice-cold air, which must be additionally heated by pre-installed air heaters. If cleaning is necessary large quantity filters can be used for incoming air.
Supply and exhaust ventilation
Combination of artificial inflow and exhaust air is often equipped with recuperators, silencers, and filters. Additional devices provide comfort while in the bathhouse, while at the same time there is constant, good air circulation. In order not to worry about ventilation, you can equip it with an automatic control unit.
Creation of supply and exhaust design artificial ventilation often causes difficulties. It is necessary to calculate the optimal air exchange in all rooms of the bathhouse at the design stage. The amount of air coming out must match the amount of air coming in. Sometimes air flows are not deliberately balanced. To prevent the spread of excessive humidity or unpleasant odors from a certain room, the pressure in it is artificially reduced. To do this, a hood is installed with greater intensity than in other rooms.
When arranging ventilation in the bathhouse, you should take care not only of the steam room, but also of other important rooms. To save on heating costs, you can use the warm air generated in the steam room, venting it through other rooms rather than outside. By adapting the ventilation system to specific needs, you can make the most successful option.
Since ancient times, people have believed that the bathhouse can heal the body. It is not for nothing that the people have a saying: “The bathhouse soars, the bathhouse rules, the bathhouse will fix everything.” To really get a boost of vivacity and health, it is necessary to create the most favorable microclimate for this with sufficient oxygen content. This is what ventilation in the steam room serves, where the air must be renewed at least 2 times every hour. When we talk about a bathhouse, we also mean a steam room.
The quality of bath procedures and our well-being directly depend on whether the ventilation scheme in the steam room is correctly implemented. Before we look at how to make ventilation in a steam room, let's look at its functions.
Functions of natural ventilation of a steam room
The bathhouse needs ventilation, because... it performs 3 main functions:
- Saturation of the steam room with oxygen.
- Creation of optimal bath processes for managing steam and air exchange.
- Drying the bath after washing to prevent the formation of mold and fungi that destroy wooden structures.
In order for steamers to breathe easily, a constant supply of fresh air is required. Many argue that steam room ventilation is not necessary, because... After washing, ventilate the bathhouse through the door and window.
In the human body, at the moment of soaring, the process of oxygen exchange in the blood increases several times. During one visit to the steam room (up to 2 hours or more), an adult secretes 0.5-1.5 liters of sweat, which is a concentrated toxin. Without an influx of fresh air, we are poisoned by the products of our own vital activity. An air mixture low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and lethargy. People perceive this as intolerance to the bath, and do not realize that they themselves created such conditions. The reason is that there is no ventilation in the steam room.
How are steam regimes created? In order for the air flow to quickly heat up, it is introduced at the bottom of the furnace, from which it heats up and, mixing with steam, rises to the ceiling and to the soaring zone.
A layer of steam is created there, which, when cooled, begins to settle in the form of condensate. On the wall, opposite the stove, opposite side Below, under the bathhouse shelf, a hole is made to allow exhaust air to escape. Due to internal circulation, fresh air is actively mixed in and unnecessary air is removed. Valves are installed on the channels to adjust the air exchange in the steam room. This is how the steam is controlled, and bathing procedures take place in more comfortable conditions.
On the wall opposite the inlet in the upper part, another exhaust hole is made, which is closed for the period of heating and washing. The upper hood is not for steam modes. It is only needed to dry the bath after washing. After taking bath procedures, it is necessary to open both the upper and lower openings in order to thoroughly dry the room.
Many people are mistaken, claiming that you can dry a bathhouse with a stove at behind closed doors and windows. It's an illusion. If there is no air exchange, it will not be possible to dry the bath well. When heated, air can hold a lot of water (steam). When it cools, the opposite happens: the air cannot hold much moisture and begins to release it in the form of dew. As a result, a lot of dampness will remain in the bathhouse. With organized ventilation, with each new flow it is carried out into the street and excess moisture. Any steel oven can handle this, because the cooling process takes up to 3 hours.
Steam room ventilation through the foundation
The design of the building influences the choice of the type of ventilation system.
An example of steam room ventilation through the foundation
Previously, there was no ventilation in log baths, or it was used in its simplest form. The air from the steam room exited through the vent of the furnace, which was installed here. Fresh air was supplied through a door slightly open by 5 mm. The design of the bathhouse was as follows: a steam room, a washing room and a stove in one room.
In order for the stove to work as a hood, it must be installed so that the vent is below the floorboards. It should be taken into account that ventilation through the stove ashboard occurs only while the fire is burning in the stove. If ovens are used for short periods of time, an improved ventilation system is essential.
Here is another diagram that will help those who have a metal stove. The basis for steam room ventilation is the burning stove itself. It should ventilate not only the bathhouse, but also the entire foundation. Bad air with an unpleasant odor usually accumulates under the bathhouse if everything is not arranged correctly. A vent placed in the foundation facilitates the flow of air under the floor.
With underground ventilation
In the heating (furnace) mode of the bath, air circulates between the washing room, steam room and the space under the common floor. To do this, a window with a latch is made in the partition between the steam room and the sink to regulate the ventilation mode.
From the stove chimney there is a draft to the surface. For her, air comes from all possible cracks.
5-10 l/sec of flue gas passes through a metal pipe with a diameter of 115 mm, which is equivalent to the suction air of the furnace - 300-600 l/min, which means the furnace pumps out 2-3 barrels of air into the chimney per minute.
Therefore, if your stove vigorously smokes through a chimney, it means that it absorbs the same amount of air through the ash pan from the bathhouse, while giving off a colossal amount of heat.
If your stove takes air with its blower from your steam room, it first of all ventilates your steam room, then the underground and through it the air gets back, because has a total volume. There must be a common underground space under all sections of the bathhouse. If the floors are made independent of each other, then there will be no ventilation. Floor boards should not be laid tightly, 5-10 mm apart from each other.
Within 15 minutes, the entire bath air changes completely, 100% air exchange occurs through chimney. For additional thermoregulation, you can also open the door of the main room to the dressing room so that the air goes out there and then outside.
Optimal layout for a steam room
There are many schemes with different advantages. Here is one common scheme according to which ventilation in a steam room can be arranged with your own hands. It also allows you to adjust the air flow to maintain one or another mode.
Let's take a closer look. Stove and door on one side. Air flow behind the stove and through the bottom slot of the door. Opposite, two exhaust ducts are mounted (one under the ceiling, the other above the shelf), connected to each other by a pipe or duct.
- During the heating period of the steam room, both exhaust openings are closed, and the supply openings remain open.
- During the soaring period, the upper exhaust valve is closed and the lower one is opened. The circulation of air masses begins: from the stove it rushes to the ceiling, resting against the wall and descends. It is partially pulled outward by the lower flap, and the remaining part continues to move lower to the floor and back up.
- After steaming, to dry the bath, open both exhaust valves.
Application of mechanical and combined ventilation
In paired rooms, ventilation can be arranged in several ways. In addition to natural ventilation, mechanical and combined ventilation is used in the steam room. This depends mainly on the layout, for example, if the bathhouse is attached to residential building. When only one wall borders the street and all the valves are installed on it, then ventilation in the bathhouse in the steam room cannot be done without mechanical stimulation.
In mechanical and combined ventilation system special devices are used to control air exchange.
The lower the ventilation holes are placed, the more heat will be retained in the steam room. In order to achieve good result it is necessary to additionally equip the ventilation system with mechanical devices. For this purpose, deflectors or simple fans are used in air ducts. Air exchange follows the same pattern, only the removal of unnecessary air from the room is carried out by a fan. This is a combined system. With the mechanical type of ventilation, a fan is installed in both the supply and exhaust ducts.
A different type of system is selected individually for each room.
What conditions must be met?
- Must not be violated temperature regime in the steam room. Ventilation should properly distribute air flows without violating the set temperature: hot air at the top and cooler closer to the floor.
- To change the speed of air movement, adjustable valves should be installed on the channels.
- The entry of new air masses into the steam room should come directly from the street. Based on the features of the building, air ducts can be installed.
- To avoid reverse draft, do not allow a difference in area between the exhaust and supply ducts.
- To protect floors from fire, an inlet duct under the floor is installed near metal sheet oven, blowing cold air over it.
- At the end of the bath, thoroughly dry the floors and all rooms.
- Cover ventilation openings on the outside with grilles to protect against rodents.
Microclimate measurements in the steam room
Each steamer has individual requirements for temperature and humidity conditions. They are based on personal feelings. You can achieve the creation of certain parameters using instruments.
Measure the temperature in the steam room with an alcohol thermometer. Cannot be used mercury thermometer. You can use an electric thermometer. The thermocouple is placed in the steam room, and the indicator is placed in the dressing room or rest room.
Air humidity can be measured with a hygrometer. Based on the individual preferences of the steamer, you can use this device to set a certain mode.
What's the result?
Comfortable vaping conditions and ultimately satisfaction are determined by a balanced regime of humidity, heat and the presence of fresh air. To create such conditions, supply and exhaust ventilation are used. The main thing is to organize it correctly.
A suitable microclimate and the correct air ventilation scheme create conditions for better vaping.