How to properly ventilate a steam room. Do-it-yourself ventilation in a bathhouse: an algorithm for creating an effective system without extra costs. Prices for supply and exhaust ventilation

Ventilation in a bathhouse with your own hands? - easily, the event can be carried out by a man without professional skills. Why do you even need to pay attention to how to properly ventilate a bathhouse? The answer is obvious. Properly arranged ventilation in the bathhouse affects the maintenance of the temperature in the locker room, washing room, steam room, or relaxation room. The second, but no less significant impact, the movement of air masses has on safety wooden structureand the service life of its parts.

When designing a bath complex and its structure, it is necessary to take into account that the ventilation of the bath complex must be carried out taking into account the established rules, supplemented by subtle nuances. There is plenty of information on how to make ventilation in a bathhouse with your own hands, with detailed instructions, photographs and videos. We will outline the main stages of installing air exchange inside the bath space and steam room below.

Properly arranged ventilation in the bathhouse is guaranteed to maintain the temperature at a comfortable level inside the steam room. Extending the service life of wooden structures.

The operation of the ventilation system based on the known laws of physics, as well as the ventilation scheme, is clear and does not raise questions. To fulfill the condition of air circulation in a constant mode, we need only a couple of holes of two types:

• exhaust;
• inlet

The supply of fresh air into the room will be provided by the supply opening. The best location for the supply ventilation in the bathhouse is near the stove, at a height as close as possible to the floor. This arrangement will ensure rapid heating of the incoming air, preventing it from cooling the room, maintaining a constant temperature.

Diagram of air movement inside the steam room.

Hood slots are necessary to remove superheated humid air and carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) from the steam room. Exhaust openings should be located opposite, as high as possible, slightly below the edge of the ceiling. It is advisable to place both lugs opposite each other to effectively create and maintain continuous air exchange.

Attention! Do not plan to locate the exhaust vent directly in the ceiling! The hole for the exit of air masses in the ceiling leads to a sharp cooling of the bath, preventing hot masses from lingering.

With the concept of locating the supply and exhaust openings, everything is clear and there are no problems in organizing work on installing ventilation in the bathhouse with your own hands. But the problem of maintaining a high temperature in the steam room and at the same time effectively removing exhaust air and carbon monoxide remains open.

You should also pay attention that the ventilation in the bathhouse should work to maintain an acceptable temperature in the rooms for hygiene procedures, in the dressing room, and other parts of the room: in the dressing room, in the washroom and in the rest room. And if you are faced with the task of implementing a ventilation scheme in a steam room with your own hands, you should think about doing the job correctly.

Correct air circulation scheme in the bathhouse

Basic types of ventilation

There are two main types of ventilation:

• natural;
• forced.

Which one to choose is determined depending on the design of the bathhouse and the volume of its premises.

Ventilation using an electronic control unit

Natural ventilation of the bath

It starts up on its own due to the difference in temperature and pressure inside the room and outside. The effectiveness of natural flows depends on the placement of air inlet and outlet openings. It is better and more optimal when the supply holes are located near the floor. Place them at a height of 200-350 mm, next to the stove. It is better to place the exhaust pipes of the hood on the opposite wall, 150-200 mm below the ceiling level.

Ventilation systems with natural air movement are not suitable for ventilating a steam room or sauna, since the cold air in this room accumulates at the bottom of the floor, and the hot air at the top. We need the hot streams to linger in the steam room as long as possible.

Adjusting the air flow movement is accompanied by difficulties, but with the correct arrangement of the components of the ventilation system with your own hands, you can cope with this problem.

Natural ventilation is not desirable for a steam room; it is advisable to organize it in a recreation area

Forced ventilation

This type of air recirculation in a steam room in a Russian bath or Finnish sauna can be divided into two subtypes:

• Ventilation controls temperature and humidity using electronic system automation, by automatically adjusting flow and filtration. Such systems are expensive, and their use often does not correspond to the allocated budget.
• A combined ventilation system involves the combined use of conventional natural air exchange in combination with a forced fan.

Diagram of internal ventilation ducts in the bathhouse wall

Ventilation in the bath depends on the type of construction

Natural air movement with the correct location of the ventilation holes and their sizes corresponding to the volume of the premises works well in a Russian bathhouse assembled from round logs or timber.

The design of the steam room frame must be airtight. It is advisable to use forced ventilation in frame baths made of timber. Supply vents are installed in the outer wall of the steam room and must be additionally equipped with a blower fan. In bath structures made of brick or concrete blocks, it is possible to achieve high-quality air movement only through forced ventilation.

Depending on the material from which the bathhouse is constructed, the ventilation system is selected.

Planning ventilation in the bathhouse: subtleties and nuances

Before you move on to choosing a ventilation scheme in the bathhouse and arranging its design with your own hands, you need to understand the subtleties and nuances of the design.

Carefully! Even a slight error in the location of the air supply and exhaust holes leads to unpleasant consequences. In the steam room, the desired hot temperature will either decrease or the concentration of carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) will increase.

The ventilation system is laid out at the design stage of structures - the necessary channels are planned and the location of the intake and exhaust windows is determined. During the construction of a bathhouse, adjustable windows are installed after the decorative cladding of the room. The organization of air mass exchange in the room and the question “How to make ventilation in a bathhouse” must be resolved at the design stage.

Ventilation ducts for a dressing room, bathroom, steam room, rest room, as well as openings for the supply of fresh air and removal of a mixture of carbon monoxide, including moist air masses, must be installed at the appropriate stages of construction. At the final finishing stage of the premises, valves and grilles are installed to control the size of the supply and exhaust openings and the cross-sections of the ventilation ducts.

Basically, the effective functioning of bath ventilation is influenced by two factors:

• ventilation window size. Both supply and exhaust air openings are determined by the amount of space, be it a dressing room, washing room, steam room or rest room;
• location of slots relative to each other.

1. Ventilation hole size

The dimensions of the cracks depend on the number and volume of rooms: dressing room, steam room, bath room or relaxation room. It is necessary to select the optimal size of these holes, as well as to ensure the possibility of its adjustment. To adjust the gaps in the holes, install a door flap and grille. The exhaust opening is made with approximately the same dimensions as the dimensions of the supply opening. In any case, the “exhaust” should not be less than the “supply”, otherwise it is impossible to ensure a complete outflow of moist and carbon dioxide air from the steam room.

In the photo on the left. ventilation hole with a slider to regulate the amount of fresh air. Keep in mind that with a large number of ventilation windows, it is more difficult to heat the sauna room to the correct temperature.

Large ventilation windows lead to excessive fuel or electricity consumption. In addition, problems arise with adjusting the cross-section of ventilation ducts. It is difficult to relax if you constantly have to change the position of each valve.

IMPORTANT! The dimensions of the ventilation hole are calculated as 24 cm2 per 1 m3 of the volume of the ventilated area. For a good flow of fresh air from outside, the outlet lug should be larger than the inlet lug.

If the area of ​​the ventilation lugs is insufficient, the temperature, humidity and carbon monoxide concentrations in the room may rise to critical levels.

The required size of the ventilation opening is designed at the rate of 24 sq.cm per 1 cubic meter of bathhouse volume

2. Position of ventilation holes relative to each other

The functioning of any ventilation system is based on replacing a mass of hot air with cold air. The movement occurs under the pressure of cold air from outside, since it is heavier. It remains only to provide for the possibility of adjusting the direction of the flow of hot air coming from the stove installed in the bathhouse.

For this reason, ventilation in the steam room is not limited to equipping one supply hole. It is necessary to plan two windows. To optimize the heat flow, it is enough to use a valve to adjust the gaps in the holes to a certain width.

Schematic representation of the placement of ventilation holes in a steam room. Influx of fresh air and removal of contaminated air masses.

Ventilation in a Russian bath

It is easier to assemble ventilation in a bathhouse with your own hands if you follow a simple rule. Qualitative performance indicators of the ventilation system in the bathhouse are laid down at the initial stage of design work. In the bathhouse, the circulating air flows in the rooms have a pronounced temperature difference, level discomfort from this mixture is the main task.

IMPORTANT! A comfortable atmosphere in a bathhouse depends not only on the absence of sudden changes in temperature “horizontally,” that is, when moving from one room to another: from the relaxation room to the locker room or from the steam room to the wash room. Synchronous mixing of air masses in the vertical plane is necessary: ​​the air temperature near the floor should not be significantly lower than the temperature at the level of human height.

The microclimate in the bathhouse is directly influenced by the number, size and location of ventilation windows.

The uniformity of the supply, mixing and removal of air masses depends on the number of supply and exhaust openings, their size and location relative to each other, as well as heating devices and additional equipment.

Block diagram of a ventilation device in a bathhouse

Any ventilation system in a bathhouse is designed with one purpose - maintaining temperature, humidity and freshness of the air in the steam room. The bathhouse premises, especially the steam room, are exposed to water and steam, so periodic ventilation and drying are required. But ventilation and drying will be ineffective if proper ventilation in the bathhouse is not organized. Proper and continuous ventilation of the steam room significantly reduces the effects of wood absorbing moisture.

Ventilation in the bathhouse controls the temperature, humidity and freshness of the air in the steam room.

Do-it-yourself floor ventilation in a bathhouse

Air exchange in baths and saunas is also ensured by a ventilated floor.
in constant contact with water they lose their appearance and become unusable after 4 years. Ventilation requirements organized by flooring:

• it is necessary to create a flow and make a small vent in the foundation part of the building;
• The floor should be laid leaving a gap of 1 cm between the boards;
• place the supply air openings in parallel walls (remembering to protect the control grilles from rodents);
• it is advisable to make the stove work as an additional hood; to do this, you need to plan the level of the finished floor above the vent;
• After completing the water procedures, it is necessary to leave the door to the steam room open until the floor in the room becomes dry.

Ventilation in the bathhouse - general system diagram

Ventilation in the sauna dressing room

There is no direct contact with water in the dressing room. That is why, making ventilation with your own hands in the wardrobe room, armed with photographs and videos with instructions, will not be difficult.

Use natural or hybrid ventilation. Use a fan to supply fresh air. Install vents with ventilators that require direct access to the street and a power cable connection to the power supply.

Natural and combined ventilation is allowed in the dressing room.

Ventilation in the washing area

To optimize air exchange in the washing room, a forced ventilation system is used. It is driven by an electric motor. The air flow is removed in the direction of the vestibule (vestibule). The air supply and exhaust ducts are installed with the same cross-section. section. The inlet openings are located above ground level (2 m) and the outlet pipes are led to the roof.

Ventilation in a steam bath

Special requirements are imposed on the microclimate of the steam room. The steam room must be warmed up quickly, while maintaining an optimal level of humidity and without drafts. Thus, for a steam room, the actual position and dimensions of the inlet and outlet channels that are used in the construction of the bath are very important.

To regulate the inflow and outflow of air, valves in the ventilated openings are sufficient. A large volume of space will most likely require the use of a blower or exhaust fan.

Scheme: ventilation in the steam room

We have given typical schematic diagrams for designing ventilation in a bathhouse. Videos and images, attached instructions, will certainly help those who want to build a bathhouse complex on their own. We wish you a speedy embodiment of your dreams into concrete forms!

In the bathhouse, it is important to maintain an optimal level of humidity and temperature: steam, heat and the accompanying sharp temperature change have a destructive force that can deform even the latest generation of building materials. But how to make ventilation in a bathhouse so that such fundamental characteristics strengthen the durability of the entire building, and our health too? Let's consider the best options.

It has been proven that wood (the main material for building baths) will last up to 20 years in these harsh conditions, but only with intensive air exchange. And the constant insufficient flow of dry air will force us to replace the casing in the steam room within 5 years, paying a substantial amount for this repair.

Due to the lack of fresh air, wooden cladding is intensively affected by fungi and bacteria and depresses us with a persistent unpleasant odor. By the way, the use of aggressive disinfectant chemicals in a bathhouse is absolutely prohibited. Therefore, let’s figure out how to properly ventilate a bathhouse in order to completely remove this harmful “cocktail” from the room, reinforced by mold and mildew spores.

Ventilation in the bath

Ventilation is the process of removing exhaust air and completely replacing it with outside air.

The mechanism of ventilation is simple: fresh air passes into the room through one hole, and through the second (exhaust) it goes outside. The strength of the air vortex depends on the size and location of such vents. Correct calculation of parameters for a specific bathhouse will help us avoid popular mistakes.

Features of ventilation

Let's look at how to properly ventilate a bathhouse.

Projects are carried out by professionals for any baths, but during installation it is important to comply with such conditions.

• directly during construction, since it is not easy and dangerous to punch holes for ventilation in a completed building. In addition, a suitable ventilation scheme will inevitably require corresponding changes in the overall building plan.

• The exhaust hole is always larger than the supply vent: to speed up the outflow, 2 hoods are also installed. In this case, the exhaust air will leave the room faster, making room for fresh air.
• We will regulate the speed of such substitution using valves: we will close them completely when heating the bath in order to quickly reach the desired temperature. In addition, in winter we also cannot do without such containment of the natural cold flow. So, the valves perfectly regulate the intensity of ventilation.
• The cross-section of the hole is strictly proportional to the volume of a particular room: 24 mm per 1 cubic meter. m.

The photo shows a bolt on the hole.

• The supply ventilation system also involves heating the air in winter and cooling it in summer. Exhaust ventilation only removes unhealthy air from the steam room.

Note!
The exhaust vent cannot be placed opposite the supply vent: the air mass will not have time to gradually and gently mix, and a dangerous draft will form.

• A strong convection flow will freshen the air as much as possible, because in 1 hour almost 10-fold renewal of the atmosphere in the steam room is required.

Ventilation methods

Experts have developed optimal options for the location of the ventilation hatches themselves in the steam room, and the choice of a specific layout depends on the features of the construction of the bathhouse. Let's look at the most popular types.

Behind the stove

• The inlet hole will be very useful below the stove, while the heater will be in the path of fresh but cold air.
• We make exit channels directly in the floor, and the subfloor communicates with the one leading to the street.
• The exhaust air descends and goes underground through the holes, and from here escapes through the pipe.
• This scheme saves heat and drains the always damp underground, preventing the appearance of smelly and harmful mold spores there.

Above the stove

• The inlet for outside air is equipped above the heater, and the outlet is made in the opposite wall, but below the inlet.
• Then the warm flow near the stove will raise the cold one, then fall and go outside.
• Cold air will not be able to penetrate through the outlet duct.

Under the stove

• We make an inlet hole next to the stove, at the bottom.
• Cold air passing by the furnace heats up and goes up.
• We place the outlet pipes in the opposite corner, one a meter from the floor, the second under. They are connected by a single ventilation duct, which we lead into a common duct or onto the roof, or possibly into the attic.
• All openings are equipped with grilles and valves that regulate the intensity of air flow.

Stove draft

If the stove is built directly in the steam room, we will use this ingenious scheme:

• We arrange the heater so that the vent is below the floor, and we equip the inlet ventilation duct a little higher, above the floor.
• Now the draft will be provided by the stove itself, without fans.
• Exhaust air leaves through its pipe, and a low supply inlet will increase the efficiency of the heater.

Underfloor hood

• We arrange the supply inlet behind the stove, one and a half meters from the level of the heater, but we make an exhaust hole on the opposite wall 30 cm below the floor.
• We install a fan in the exhaust hole.
• The advantage of the scheme is the uniform heating of the incoming healing air: the cold flow instantly heats up from the stove, goes under the ceiling, and when cooled, rushes down to the exit.
• The lower the hood, the stronger the recoil from the stove.

Other options

• Scheme 1: a cold stream enters the steam room, heats up from the stove and is removed through the hood on the opposite wall. A fan mounted in the hood is used to pump air.
• Scheme 2: the instructions recommend that both the supply and exhaust openings be placed opposite the stove on the same wall; the entrance is 30 cm from the floor, and the exit is 30 cm from the ceiling. This is an excellent scheme if the bathhouse at home has only one external wall, and we only use it for ventilation vents.
• Scheme 3: we install an inlet opening behind the stove, 30 cm from the floor. We will place the hood on the opposite wall, also 30 cm from the floor.
• Scheme 4: for baths with a continuous cycle: here the heater vent is also an exhaust hood, so with our own hands we will equip only one supply hole near the floor, directly opposite the brazier.

Mechanical ventilation

Let’s clarify how to make the ventilation ideal in a bathhouse: it is the electric heater that will ensure an intensive supply of fresh air through the ventilation.

Artificial steam injection using a steam generator is widely used in modern Russian baths. Similar ventilation is used in a Turkish bath with a mandatory humidity of 100%. Mechanical exhaust here is done under a dome, but an air dehumidifier is inserted into the pipe, removing moisture into the sewer.

Advice!
In Russian baths, where steam is prepared manually, we will use traditional methods of ventilation: we will sew the bottom of the doors with a ventilation grill.

High-speed ventilation evenly warms up and comfortably refreshes the room. Special fans are made of heat-resistant glass polyamide and can withstand heating up to +130 degrees, consuming from 18 W. The protection class of such a device is IP-44 and higher.

Conclusion

Organization of soft, gentle, but fresh airflow in the steam room while maintaining a pleasant microclimate - in a special arrangement of supply and exhaust openings, as well as specially arranged auxiliary equipment for them.

Ventilation depends on:

• direction and amount of warm air;
• lack of waste;
• economical fuel consumption.

Mechanical ventilation involves the use of software devices that control and independently maintain the specified parameters of temperature, humidity, and fresh air. But the cost of such an ideal is significant. However, the choice is ours.

Combined ventilation is based on the patterns of placement of vents, and the pressure difference is given to us by mechanical devices that extract air - fans. This is the best option for bath ventilation.

The video in this article will clearly demonstrate to us the process of creating an optimal air environment in a bathhouse.

In order for bath procedures to bring only benefit and pleasure, two conditions are necessary:

• high level of temperature and humidity in the steam room;
• the presence of sufficient oxygen.

These seemingly mutually exclusive tasks are solved by ventilation in the bathhouse in general and in the steam room in particular. Despite the fact that high humidity and temperature must be maintained in the steam room of a Russian bath, it is impossible to do without access to fresh (cold) air: oxygen is processed by our lungs, partially burned out by the stove, and carbon monoxide gradually accumulates in the steam room (CO is the chemical formula carbon monoxide).

How to properly ventilate a bathhouse. In the figure, red arrows show the movement of hot air, blue arrows show cold air.

If you do not organize the replacement of “waste” air with fresh air, instead of improving your health and increasing your performance (this is what we go to the bathhouse for), you can get, at best, lethargy, weakness and headaches, and at worst, a hospital bed or even a place in the cemetery.

Properly arranged ventilation ensures air circulation, while oxygen is supplied in sufficient quantities, and carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. After completing the bath procedures, with good ventilation, the vapor is actively removed outside the building, and the rooms that previously had high humidity dry out. If this aspect has not been given enough attention, after a couple of years in the steam room, and then in other rooms, the lining rots, the smell of mustiness and sweat appears and gradually intensifies, and the wood turns into dust. Now, I hope, it is clear whether ventilation is needed in the bathhouse...

Warming up and ventilating the bath. Please note that the exhaust vent is located at a small height from the floor - as a rule, no higher than 50 cm. With this scheme, exhaust steam is released into the atmosphere. Moreover, the floor in the steam room warms up well

Ventilation in a bathhouse is not needed only in one case: if it is all built of wood and has not been insulated anywhere - neither from the inside nor from the outside. In this case, air exchange occurs due to the fact that the wood “breathes”. In this case, they also talk about the presence of natural ventilation in the bathhouse: any wood has pores and cracks through which air flows out/flows and temperature and humidity are regulated. But if the bathhouse is made of rounded logs or has insulation or moisture/steam insulation, then the creation of additional ventilation holes is necessary.

There are three types of ventilation:

1. Mechanical ventilation. In this case, the inflow and outflow of air masses occurs due to artificially created air movement. Air parameters are controlled by technical means.
2. Natural ventilation: circulation occurs due to the difference in pressure inside and outside the room. This method is only possible if there are “breathing” walls or thoughtfully arranged ventilation vents.
3. Combined ventilation: simultaneous use of the natural movement of air masses and technical devices (in the simplest case, fans).

The video below shows the combined ventilation option.

In a specific case, aluminum foil with a thickness of 100 microns was used in the construction of the ventilation duct.

Ventilation device in baths

In its simplest form, the ventilation system for a steam room or bathhouse consists of two (sometimes more) openings in the walls and/or foundation: supply and exhaust. The trick is in choosing the location of these holes and their sizes. Sometimes, to ensure more active air exchange, fans can be installed.

Warming up and ventilating the bath. In the simplest case, the exhaust vent is located near the ceiling

There is no single ventilation scheme for a bathhouse: they are too different both in design features and in the materials from which they are made. But there are general rules and several of the most common schemes, following which you can choose the optimal ventilation specifically for your case.

The size of the ventilation holes is calculated based on the volume of the steam room: per cubic meter of ventilated area, the size of the holes should be 24 cm 2.

Despite the fact that the main task in the bathhouse is to maintain high humidity in the steam room and a sufficient temperature level, the ventilation holes should not be made too small: they will not provide the necessary level of air exchange. Exhaust ventilation openings must correspond to the size of the supply ventilation openings: if the proportions are not correct, the air exchange will also be insufficient. In some cases, to speed up the removal of exhaust air and speed up the drying of the bath, you can make two exhaust holes.

To ensure the required air conditions when heating the steam room, special covers/plugs are made on the ventilation ducts, which can be opened/closed from the steam room, thereby regulating the humidity/temperature/air exchange. Generally speaking, the presence of plugs or covers on any ventilation hole facing the street is mandatory: in winter, cold air actively strives into a warm room and the presence of covers or regulators to block it is necessary.

Where can there be supply and exhaust openings?

Most often, it is at least partially located in the steam room. In this case, the supply hole is made near the stove at a distance no higher than 30 cm from the floor. The incoming cold air quickly heats up from the stove and rises. This is quite popular, but not the best way to organize ventilation for a bathhouse. Ventilation is much more effective when the supply openings are located in the foundation under the floor (to prevent rodents from entering through them, the openings are equipped with metal gratings). This option solves two problems at once: it delivers fresh air to the bathhouse, and also effectively dries the floors and walls after completing the procedures. The floor boards, in this case, are not laid closely, but with a small gap for free passage of air. If you don’t want to leave gaps in the floor (although this is very good for a bathhouse), you can make several ventilation holes in the floor, covered with wooden grates. In this case, the air movement will not be so active; more powerful fans may be needed, but the circuit will remain operational.

When planning supply ventilation holes in the foundation, keep in mind that air into the bathhouse should come from the street, and not from the underground, otherwise it will have a musty smell. To organize air intake from the street, a box made of wood (often homemade), plastic or metal (ready-made) is placed in the hole, and it is also taken out near the stove. Typically, the inlet openings are located in an area that is protected by a metal or asbestos sheet from coals and firebrands.

Ventilation holes in the foundation are provided at the planning stage. If the foundation is already ready, but there are no holes for ventilation, you can ventilate the floor in the steam room differently: lay the floor boards on the joists, but not close to each other, but with a gap of 0.5-1 cm. In the gap between the rough (earth/concrete) floor and the finishing floor, an outlet is arranged, which goes into a ventilation pipe that discharges exhaust air to the roof (but not to the attic). This option provides for the presence of only one supply hole, which is usually located below the heater. The exhaust pipe under the floor is installed on the opposite side of the room (but not opposite, but diagonally).

It is impossible to make an exhaust pipe in a steam room from plastic boxes for ventilation - they cannot withstand high temperatures, but it is permissible to use them in a locker room or washing department.

With this ventilation scheme in the steam room, cold air warms up near the stove, rises, then, cooling, falls down, seeps under the floor through cracks in the floor and is discharged through the outlet pipe. These two options effectively remove moisture after a bath; they can also be considered floor ventilation schemes in a bath.

Exhaust openings can be located on the wall opposite the supply opening (if both of these walls face the street) or on the same wall, but in the opposite corner. There is a scheme in which they are located at the top on the wall opposite (30 cm from the ceiling), sometimes they are located at the bottom (30 cm from the floor). If the exhaust vent is located below or on the same wall as the supply vent, a fan is needed to create air flow.

To ensure that ventilation in the bathhouse remains effective, you must not:

• make ventilation vents smaller than the calculated ones;
• Place the supply and exhaust openings one opposite the other - this way the incoming air is removed almost immediately without releasing oxygen, a draft is formed, which is contraindicated for a bath.

Steam room ventilation schemes

Let's consider several of the most common ventilation options in a steam room:

These are the most commonly used ventilation schemes for steam rooms in a bath; there are many more variations and combinations of them. Based on these four options for organizing ventilation, you can develop a scheme for your steam room.

Ventilation in the washing compartment of the bathhouse

In a washing room, high humidity is common, and to prevent the lining from rotting or creating an unpleasant odor, it is necessary to provide ventilation for the floors. It is arranged similarly to floor ventilation in a steam room: an exhaust hole is made between the rough and finished floors, which can be equipped with a fan. The exhaust pipe leads to the roof.

With this floor ventilation scheme in the washing compartment, the coldest exhaust air is removed, and warmer air from the upper layers is lowered in its place. In this way, an increase in the comfort of the people staying here is also achieved.

The principle of ventilation in all other rooms of the bathhouse is the same. You need to decide on the optimal ventilation system specifically for your conditions and select/develop the most suitable scheme. Ventilation in the washing compartment differs only in that, due to lower air temperatures, plastic ventilation ducts can be used here (which cannot be done in a steam room) and fans can be installed that are not heat-resistant, but only those that can withstand high humidity (moisture-proof).

Ventilation of brick and Turkish baths

When planning a ventilation system for a brick bath, you need to take into account that its efficiency should be many times higher than that of a wooden one. Indeed, in this case, you will have to dry not only the inner lining of the steam room/washing room/locker room, but also the walls: brick is a very hygroscopic material. To remove all moisture, it is necessary that the inflow/outflow of air during drying be very active, and the vents have reliable dampers that allow you to regulate the intensity of air movement.

When installing ventilation with its 100% humidity, exhaust ventilation must also be very effective: in an hour of operation it is necessary to ensure a six-fold change of air in the room. In addition, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of removing condensate, which forms during cooling in large quantities. This problem can be solved in two ways: install an air dryer in the pipe, which discharges condensate into the sewer system, or provide a channel in the ventilation pipe for discharging condensate (it also goes into the sewer).

Conclusion: it is necessary to plan ventilation at the bathhouse design stage, placing inlet vents in the foundation. If necessary, you can make vents in finished walls, but this is quite troublesome and complicated.

A visit to the bathhouse is not only a way to get rid of a week’s dirt, but also to lose extra pounds or remove waste and toxins from the body. However, the beneficial effects on the body can only be felt with proper ventilation in the bathhouse, which in most cases is far from ideal.

It would seem that in order to preserve heat and increase the rate of heating of the room, it is necessary to seal all the cracks, and lay a seal around the perimeter of the doorway so that the door closes tightly and does not serve as a source of cold air. However, everything is exactly the opposite, since well-planned ventilation contributes to:

• creating a comfortable microclimate by getting rid of excess heat, humidity levels, and reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide;
• rapid heating of the room due to the mixing of air masses, which is also accompanied by minimal fuel consumption;
• protecting the interior decoration, as well as the floor of the building, from the appearance of various types of mold and fungi, which contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant odor;
• high-quality ventilation of all rooms of the bathhouse, extending the service life.

Thus, ventilation in the bathhouse plays a very important role both for the safety of the bathhouse structure over a long period of operation and for health benefits. At the same time, choosing the required type of ventilation system will not be difficult, since you will have to choose from only 2 standard systems.

Types of ventilation systems, their characteristics

Before you learn how to make ventilation in a bathhouse, you need to familiarize yourself with the main types and types of ventilation systems.

Based on the method of air inflow/outflow, there are 2 types of ventilation systems, each of which has undeniable advantages and disadvantages.

Natural ventilation

Air exchange with a natural ventilation system occurs under the influence of natural factors without the use of additional equipment in the form of fans or electric motors.

Among natural factors, the following are of no small importance:

• Wind pressure. The influx of fresh air into the bathhouse is carried out under the influence of the force of the wind through cracks in the walls, in doorways or windows on the windward side. In this case, the intake of air is accompanied by the simultaneous displacement of discharged air masses through the existing cracks, which accumulate inside the bathhouse at the top of the opposite wall.

An increase in wind pressure leads to an increase in the mass of rarefied air, thereby improving the ventilation of the bathhouse.

• Aeration. Cold air entering the heated bathhouse through cracks or specially constructed openings at a small height from the floor gradually displaces hot air masses downwards, promoting uniform heating of the room due to the mixing of air layers and the outflow of polluted air from the bathhouse.

The advantages due to natural ventilation in the bath are as follows:

• security associated with the absence of devices operating from the network;
• simplicity, since small gaps in the doorway or on the wall are an integral part of a wooden bathhouse;
• low cost, since there is no need to purchase additional materials, as well as pay the costs of operating such a system.

Among the disadvantages it is worth highlighting:

• the effectiveness of ventilation depends entirely on external natural factors;
• inability to adjust the degree of ventilation.

Thus, natural ventilation in a wooden bathhouse is quite enough for one family, since wood itself is a breathable material, and cracks still form in the wooden structure during the drying process. At the same time, for complete ventilation in a brick bathhouse, it is better to opt for an artificial system, since the formation of gaps when using such a building material is quite rare.

Mechanical ventilation

Air exchange in the bathhouse occurs regardless of the influence of external factors of nature using various types of fans, pumps and other equipment that promote renewal and faster heating of the air.

Advantages of artificial ventilation:

• maintaining the microclimate in the bathhouse at a given level;
• possibility of filtering incoming air;
• adjustment of the uniform distribution of heated air masses indoors.

Flaws:

• higher cost relative to natural ventilation;
• complexity of installation;
• noise during operation;
• costs for energy consumed by appliances.

The forced ventilation system in the bathhouse, based on its inherent task, involves the use of such types of ventilation as:

1. Supply air – provides access to the required volume of clean air into the room. A typical mechanical ventilation system includes an air duct, an air intake grille, a filter and an air valve. However, the greatest effect from the construction of fresh air ventilation in the bathhouse is achieved by installing an electric fan.

2. Exhaust - helps remove exhaust air from the bathhouse through a system consisting of an air duct, grille, electric motor, and fan.

3. Supply and exhaust – a combination of the functions of supply and exhaust systems. In this case, the distribution of air masses inside the bath occurs by:

• displacement of hot air outside the room as a result of the gradual rise of air masses newly entering through the supply ventilation;

• mixing of hot and cold air due to the constant flow of fresh air.

Regardless of the type of ventilation, the cross-section of the ventilation opening should be 24 cm per 1 m³.

Thus, forced ventilation is several times higher than a natural ventilation system. Based on this, an artificial ventilation system is the most optimal solution for arranging ventilation for a frame bath. At the same time, we should not forget that the supply and exhaust openings have a strictly ordered arrangement relative to each other, and not a chaotic one.

Ventilation hole placement options

The intensity of air exchange inside the bathhouse largely depends on the correct distribution of ventilation holes in relation to one another. Despite the variety of options for alternative arrangements of openings for air inflow/outflow, the following bath ventilation schemes have gained the most popularity:

1. The air flow is carried out behind the heater through a hole located at a distance of 30-40 cm from the floor level. In this case, the exhaust vent has a similar height, but is located on the wall opposite the air flow and is equipped with a fan. The cold air entering the room hits the wall of the heater and rushes upward, gradually warming up as it rises. At the same time, the exhaust air begins to move downwards and is discharged outside under the action of a fan. This mixing of air masses leads to uniform heating of the air.
2. The principle of moving air in a bathhouse is similar to the first option, with the only difference being that the height of the supply opening is taken about 50 cm from the floor surface, and the exhaust opening is located at a distance of 10-20 cm from the floor line. In this way, even more intense air exchange is achieved.
3. The supply hole is created at a distance of 30 cm from the finished floor in the wall located opposite the stove. In this case, the functions of the exhaust hood are performed by the smoke exhaust, along with the furnace vent. However, such a scheme is valid only during the operation of the furnace.
4. The distance from the floor to the supply opening located in the wall opposite the stove is taken to be 20-30 cm. In this case, the hood equipped with a fan is located on the same wall at a distance of 20-30 cm from the ceiling. The air entering the room hits an obstacle in the form of a stove and begins to rise, heating up and displacing polluted air as it rises.
5. The air flow occurs at a distance of 20 cm from the floor in the wall located behind the stove. The newly arrived air masses rise, gradually warming up, to the ceiling. As the air cools, it sinks down and leaves through the floor cracks, after which it enters the ventilation pipe, and from there outside the building.

Thus, the exhaust vent can be located below the supply vent only if there is a fan.

Several different ventilation schemes in the bathhouse, the video of which is presented below, will help you make a final decision regarding your own design.

Ventilation device in the bathhouse

Every year the design of the bathhouse becomes more complex, creating more comfortable conditions for those who like to take a steam bath or simply wash in the bathhouse. If previously the bathhouse included a dressing room and a washing room combined with a steam room, today the bathhouse consists of 3-4 rooms:

• dressing room;

• washing;

• steam room;

• restroom.

Of course, the most important of them are the steam room and the washing room. However, a ventilation system must be installed not only in these rooms, but also in the dressing room, as well as the rest room, since humidity also spreads into the rooms adjacent to the steam room.

Steam room

Any of the above schemes is suitable for ventilating the steam room of a bath. However, before firing the stove, it is necessary to completely ventilate the steam room by opening the door and all ventilation holes for 5-10 minutes. After ventilation is completed, the door and exhaust openings are closed. When the temperature in the steam room reaches the required limit, you can slowly open the exhaust hole, regulating the intensity of air exchange using the valve. In this case, the diameter of the exhaust hole cannot be less than the supply hole, otherwise reverse draft will occur, as a result of which the air flow will be reduced. However, it is necessary to ensure that the air flow does not disturb the temperature regime inside the steam room.

Washing

Along with the steam room, the washing room of the bathhouse is also associated with a large amount of moisture, the timely disposal of which is very important, since mold and dampness have a detrimental effect on both the human body and the duration of operation of the building. Due to the fact that a large amount of water accumulates under the floor, an asbestos pipe placed in the corner of the sink can be used to provide ventilation in the washing bath. In this case, one end of the pipe should be located between the finishing and subfloor, and the second should be led to the roof and equipped with a deflector.

If the stove is located in a washing room, then the stove vent, located below the finished floor, will also act as a good hood.

Foundation

When planning a construction, you must immediately think about the ventilation of the bathhouse foundation, since the installation of ventilation holes occurs at the stage of concrete reinforcement. To create holes for ventilation, asbestos pipes are quite suitable, which are fixed strictly horizontally in the intended places using wire and reinforcement rods, after which the pipes are covered with dry sand. In this case, the distance from the ground level to the pipe should be at least 10-15 cm, so that when groundwater rises during the off-season, you do not have to worry about the possibility of flooding. After securing the pipes, the foundation is poured with concrete. In this case, the sand is removed only after the concrete has completely hardened. For normal ventilation of the foundation, 2-4 holes with a diameter of 10 cm, located in places opposite to each other, are sufficient. To keep insects out, the openings are protected by installing mesh grilles over the ventilation openings.

Waiting room

An integral part of any bathhouse is the dressing room, where a mini-changing room is arranged. In addition, a stove is often placed in the dressing room. In most cases, this is due to the small area of ​​the steam room or in order to prevent the accumulation of debris directly in the steam room. At the same time, the stove copes remarkably well with the functions of ventilation in the sauna dressing room, because the condensate that appears as a result of opening the steam room door must be disposed of.

If there is no stove in the dressing room, then after the bath procedures you can simply open the window or door to the street and thoroughly ventilate the room.

An alternative ventilation option is to install an exhaust vent equipped with a fan at the top of the wall bordering the street.

Based on the specific situation, one of several options for ventilating the room is used. However, it is necessary to think through all the details of arranging the dressing room during the planning period.

Thus, building ventilation in a bathhouse with your own hands is not so difficult. The main thing is to carefully approach the planning process and choose the right type of ventilation system, which largely depends on the design features of the structure and the location of the bathhouse.

The ventilation system in the steam room is one of the most important components of comfortable water procedures and a pleasant pastime. If in a living space its main task is to provide the space with fresh air, then in a bath it not only removes excess moisture, but also regulates the temperature. In some cases, it may be necessary to quickly cool the steam room (if the procedures are performed by overweight people or children). How to make ventilation in a bathhouse so that it sets the required temperature in a few minutes?

Today’s article is devoted to such an important issue.

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Air exchange device for a bath: rules and recommendations

The ventilation device in the bathhouse depends on the design features and architecture of the building. No special hole is required in cases where there are small gaps in the floor for drainage of liquid. Obviously, they will be enough to supply fresh air.

Most steam rooms are equipped with small windows. When open, they are delegated the role of a simple air exchange device. An effective way to change air is to adjust the position of the damper. But this rule is only valid in cases where the stove firebox is located in a steam room.

Experts state that the listed options are the most affordable and effective for organizing a ventilation system in a bathhouse. But what to do in cases where air does not penetrate from the underground, due to the absence of cracks, and the firebox is in the next room? I would like to dwell on such pairs in more detail. So, is ventilation needed in the steam room and why exactly?

1. 1. For high-quality connection of air flows. Natural convection is not able to balance the temperature regime over the entire area. The walls have one meaning, the ceiling has another, and the floor has yet another. The difference can reach 10-20 °C. In such conditions it is not very pleasant to take any water procedures.
2. 2. To ensure the influx of masses from outside. For a sauna with only 1 person for no longer than 25 minutes, forced ventilation is not required. There is enough oxygen supply. In other cases, fresh air is an important component.

The most difficult cases arise when careless developers have an irresistible desire to realize the impossible. For some, the ventilation of the steam room is so powerful that the room simply does not warm up. Others do not have a corresponding system at all. There can only be one piece of advice here - don’t go to extremes!

Properly implemented ventilation in a Russian bathhouse, which takes into account regulatory requirements and the characteristics of each room, is inexpensive, and its benefits are enormous. The main task is to take into account all the nuances: wall thickness, material, cladding, etc.

If air exchange is not provided in principle, there is a high risk of oxygen starvation. In combination with high humidity and temperature, people can even be poisoned by gases. Excessively productive can contribute to longer heating of the room. Fresh air is directed inside very quickly, the floor remains constantly cold.

Bath ventilation



Where is the air exchange system installed?

Experts say that air supply solutions are installed in 2 zones: under wooden deck chairs or behind the base of the stove. Let's consider these options in more detail.

The World Wide Web contains a huge number of schemes for the movement of air masses, but in most cases they are implemented by amateurs and do not deserve any attention. Professionals recommend fulfilling just a couple of conditions:

• the hood is done exclusively at the top;
• air intake holes - in the lower part of the walls;
• ventilation ducts are located diagonally.

Such solutions will be sufficient for good oxygen circulation. Any other reasoning on this matter is the fruit of a sick imagination, nothing more. The corresponding valves can be located at different levels, in fact, as well as the holes for removing air masses.

Ventilation of the bathhouse in the form of a small hole under the ceiling is used exclusively after completion of water procedures, when it is necessary to completely ventilate the room. As for the second opening, it is advisable to arrange it 40 cm lower. The optimal period of use is during the washing process.

Advice! Some novice builders, answering the question of how to make ventilation in a steam room, advise connecting adjacent openings of the system into separate internal air ducts. Then 2-3 valves are installed. This complication does not in any way improve comfort when taking water procedures. Don't experiment - simplicity is everything!

A well-organized air exchange system for a bathhouse is the simplest, in which there are no common channels under the casing. The optimal solution to the problem is to make several holes for each of the walls located in different rooms and place small tubular elements in them. Grill valves can be used as a plug. This option is successfully used both in the case of a traditional Russian bath and exclusive steam rooms.



Natural air exchange

One of the most affordable options for organizing ventilation in log baths. The main advantages are efficiency, safety, simplicity and minimal cost. The corresponding holes are placed taking into account the location of the stove, the material from which the building is made, and the number of shelves.

A general recommendation will help to make ventilation correctly - the recesses should be located at different heights - the inlet opening is enough to be raised from the floor by only 0.2 m, and the outlet - 0.25 m below the ceiling. When choosing, it is necessary to take into account their position not only inside the building, but also near the external walls. We do not recommend disturbing the façade composition of the property.

As for the size of the holes for natural ventilation in the bathhouse, they are chosen in the range from 300 to 400 cm2. If you are in doubt about a specific value, it is better to go with the larger option. An incorrect system can lead to excessively rapid air exchange, and as a result, cooling in the steam room. In this case, you cannot do without dampers.

Advice! Ventilation in a steam room or bath will look aesthetically pleasing if the openings of the system are covered with decorative grilles.



Forced ventilation

Forced ventilation in a bathhouse is more difficult from the point of view of independent implementation, since it involves the installation of special electrical equipment. Often, competent implementation requires drawings, individual calculations of the power of the exhaust fan, intake, etc. During the installation process, you will also have to solve the problem associated with the special microclimate of the steam room.

Electrical equipment is incompatible with high air humidity and severe temperature conditions. For these purposes, it is better to use fans installed in a protected housing. To make the ventilation in the bathhouse with your own hands as high-quality and safe as possible, we recommend that you study the relevant instructions, regulations and recommendations of the PUE. Preliminary theoretical preparation is the key to successful endeavors.

Forced ventilation of the steam room allows you to flexibly regulate the input parameters of the rate of renewal of air masses in the room. It does not depend on the environment or weather. Floor ventilation in the bathhouse using the forced principle has also proven itself to be excellent. It remains effective regardless of the strength and direction of the wind.

Option for forced ventilation in a bathhouse (video)

Ventilation in the bath

We make the system ourselves

So, the main question is ventilation in the bathhouse with your own hands - how to implement it, what should it be like? First of all, you shouldn’t rush and cut from the shoulder. Secondly, carefully study the source data. In most buildings, holes and cracks in the floor, doors and windows are simply not provided. This is a typical situation for a modern Russian bath.

The corresponding holes must be made by hand. Do-it-yourself ventilation in a sauna should include recesses for the intake and removal of air masses. A building made according to traditional standards does not include external and internal cladding, since the main building material is sawn timber.

Step 1: Determine the areas where the input and output channels will be located

We have already talked about how to make ventilation in a sauna . If you forgot, we remind you: from the floor at a height of 0.2 m - entrance, under the ceiling diagonally - exit. This is an effective way to distribute air masses inside a Russian bath. Particular attention should be paid to the availability of channels.