Commercial Steam Room: FAQs (With Steam Bath Installation Tips)

A commercial steam room has become a go-to option for places like gyms and spas, among others. 
A steam bath installation in your commercial venture is sure to boost your business. That's because people are actively looking for wellness spaces like a steam sauna. 
You might have read about the enormous health advantages of regular steam sessions, including strong immunity and improved heart health. Not to forget how relaxed you feel after each session in the steam room. 
People prefer a steam session after an intense workout at the gym since it helps in muscle relaxation and post-workout recovery. Similarly, a steam room session after spa therapy elevates the experience.
So if you own a gym or spa, a commercial steam room facility is likely to get you more business. 
Sounds interesting, doesn't it? 
But steam bath installation is quite complex, as you need to figure out the right commercial steam generator, steam room size, commercial-grade accessories, controls, etc. 
You see, a commercial steam room is quite different from the residential one. While an in-house steam room consists of low-capacity units, a commercial steam sauna has to be a high-endurance system.
A high-capacity steam generator is a prerequisite since commercial steam rooms are large enclosures with a high footfall. 
That means installing a steam room in your commercial space is confusing. 
That's precisely why we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you build the right commercial steam room. 
So let's dive in. 

Commercial Steam Room Installation and Decor: FAQs

#1. How to include a steam room in your building design?
If you are planning on building a gym, spa, or hotel, it's good to install a steam room and grow your business. 
The best way to include a commercial steam room facility in your building's architecture is by getting it custom designed. 
You should reach out to your architect or engineer with a specific request for a custom-made steam room. That's because customized steam rooms are tailored to your business needs and requirements. 
When it comes to installation, you might need to reach out to steam and sauna contractors, along with plumbers and electricians. 

#2. How to decide on commercial steam room and generator size?
The first step in commercial steam sauna installation is deciding the size of your steam room and steam generator. 
To find the right size for your steam room, you need to multiply its inner dimensions by length, width, and height. That way, you can get the total size of your steam room in cubic feet. 
Next up, you have to factor in the right commercial steam bath generator, which is determined by the size of your steam room. 
Popular steam generators in the market include commercial units between 9KW and 48KW.
They can power steam rooms sized between 400 and 2000 cubic feet. So you can choose one based on the size of your steam room. 
Also, you don't need to upsize your steam room materials like stones and marbles, even as a commercial steam generator runs for long periods. 
You see, building a commercial steam sauna bath isn't very complex once you've figured out the correct sizes.

#3. What are the different types of commercial steam bath generators available in the market?
The standard commercial-grade steam bath generators that you get in the market are of different capacities and sizes. 
For instance, Steamist commercial steam bath generators are compatible with medium to large rooms. So you can quickly heat a large commercial steam bath facility sized between 1500 and 2000 cubic feet. 
Also, Steamist offers powerful steam bath generators running between 240 and 480 Volts, which allows you to instantly fill your room with steam. 
There's more to it.
Your commercial steam room may be small to medium-sized and intended for short sessions. 
Since you don't need a steam room for extended use, fully commercial steam generators may not be the right option for you. 
That's where a Steamist semi-commercial steam bath generator comes in handy, offering you the perfect solution for light commercial needs. 
For instance, semi-commercial generators are apt for Day Spas as you can use them for up to 6 hours every day. These are available in energy units between 5KW and 15KW, which is far less than fully commercial steam generators. So you stand to save on both upfront investment and energy bills. 
Interesting, isn't it?  

#4. Do you need to hire professionals to install and run your commercial steam room?
 Unlike a residential steam room, you can't DIY a commercial facility. That's because these are large units involving a complex installation process. 
So you need to hire a plumber and an electrician to install your commercial steam room and also operate it. 
You may wonder why exactly do you need a plumber? 
You need to hire a plumber to connect a water line to your steam generator and a steam line that runs between the generator and the steam room. 
Also, large-sized steam generators are complex to run by yourself, so you might need to hire a plumber to run them. 
You see, since commercial steam rooms are in operation for extended periods, it is critical to drain or blow down the steam room every day. The generator blowdown needs to be connected to a drain line or blowdown tank. 
An experienced plumber is best equipped to drain hot water from your steam generator. 
What role does an electrician have? 
You need an electrician to install a temperature control for the steam generator, a sensor for the steam room, and a steam line solenoid. Also, if you're not trained to operate these electrical units, it's good to hire an electrician. 

Commercial Steam Room Equipments and Maintenance: FAQs 

#1. How to equip your commercial steam room?
Most of the steam saunas for sale in the market include steam generators and control panels.
However, it takes more than steam generators and controls to equip a commercial steam room. 
For instance, you need to install additional equipment like an automatic blowdown valve and a blowdown tank. 
Since your steam room is constantly in operation, it will ensure your steam generator is properly drained at the end of the day.  
Further, you need an aroma pump system to fill your steam room with fragrance and essential oils. 
You might even need a programmable steam temperature alert for a large-sized steam room, as it helps maintain a consistent ambient temperature. 

#2. How to maintain your commercial steam bath generator?
 It is critical for any commercial steam room operator to regularly maintain the steam bath generator. 
A daily blowdown of your steam generator is needed to keep the unit running smoothly. 
Even though you can blow down or drain the generator manually, installing an automatic blowdown system is wise. That's because an automatic blowdown with a pre-set timer ensures everyday drainage without the additional costs of hiring a plumber. 
Apart from that, you need to run a monthly inspection of the pipes to detect any possible leakage. Also, you should check the generators every three months to make sure sediments or debris haven't been built in.  
You see, a steam bath generator is the most vital component of your steam room, the reason it needs to be maintained well. 

Tips For Installing a Commercial Steam Room:

#1. Your steam bath should be a well-insulated and enclosed space
You should ensure that your commercial steam room is enclosed and properly insulated, as that would prevent heat and steam from flowing out. So your steam shower interiors should be built using non-porous materials like glass, tiles, marbles, etc., along with a water-tight door. 
You see, any loss of heat or steam from the steam room would prevent it from attaining the desired temperature, thus resulting in a poor steam bath experience. And that can affect your business, as a bad experience might keep people from visiting your steam sauna. 
Also, a lack of proper insulation burdens your steam generator and results in higher energy bills. 
On the other hand, you can get the most out of your steam room by insulating it well. 

#2. Don't build your steam bath in a room with a high ceiling
When building a commercial steam room, you should keep the ceiling height up to eight feet. 
That's because a ceiling higher than eight feet is sure to put an additional burden on your steam bath generator. So you may need to install a generator with a high energy rating to fill the extra space. 
A low-ceiling steam room, on the contrary, is efficiently heated with a small-sized steam generator. Thus, you stand to save on steam generator investment as well as its running costs. 

#3. Install sloped and foldable seating for your commercial steam room
It is important to figure out the seating for your commercial steam room, as the right seating can elevate visitors' experience. 
We recommend built-in sloped seating for your steam bath facility since they are known to enhance comfort in the steam room. 
Further, foldable seats are a go-to option for commercial steam saunas as they maximize space in the bath enclosure. You see, a commercial steam room is mostly crowded with people, so you need to have as much space as possible. 

#4. Your commercial steam generator should be UL listed
The commercial steam generator that you buy for your steam room is used extensively, so you should always go for UL-listed ones. 
You see, UL-listed products are rigorously tested for quality and safety standards, and the same goes for steam generators with UL listing. That means with a UL-listed commercial-grade steam generator, you can rest assured of high performance and long service life.
Amazing, right? 
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#5. Use vapor sealed lights in your steam room
When it comes to lighting installation, most commercial steam room owners tend to be confused. That's because there are multiple options to light up your steam bath installation, from classical filament lamps to advanced LED lights. 
But, no matter what kind of lighting you install in your steam room, it must be vapor sealed. 
You see, lighting fixtures in a steam room are exposed to high moisture content, which damages the lights and, in some cases, even causes electrocution. 
You don't want your steam sauna lights to be dangerous and vulnerable to damage. Do you?
You can make your lighting system full-proof against moisture damage and electrical mishaps by installing vapor-sealed lights. 

Conclusion
A commercial steam room facility is something you need in your gym or wellness center to take your business to the next level. 
You'll be surprised to know that almost every gym-goer looks for a steam shower facility, and it's the same story for all personal wellness centers. 
So by providing the soothing relaxation and reinvigoration of a steam room, you stand to benefit from a booming steam sauna market. 
At Steam and Sauna, we provide expert solutions to your commercial steam room needs. We've got you covered, from complete steam room installation to high-end steam bath generators, controls, and accessories.