How far from a building can a sauna tent be placed? Everything you need to know about safety distances

Many who are considering buying a sauna tent wonder how close to the house they can place it. Since a sauna tent is a temporary structure and not a permanent building, the rules are more flexible than for fixed sauna buildings – but fire safety must still be taken seriously.

What applies to sauna tents?

A sauna tent is not a building in the traditional sense – it is a movable structure that does not require a building permit or notification. But if you are going to have a fire in it, there are important safety aspects to consider.

Safety distance – consider sparks and smoke

The most important thing when placing your sauna tent is to think about what can happen when you have a fire:

Smoke and sparks from the chimney

• Sparks can fly from the chimney when you have a fire
• Place the tent so sparks cannot reach combustible materials on buildings
• Recommended distance: at least 4-5 meters from houses and other buildings
• Consider the wind direction as sparks follow the wind

Chimney height

• The chimney should be at least 1 meter above the tent’s highest point
• The higher the chimney, the lower the risk of sparks near the ground
• Make sure the chimney smoke does not enter ventilation openings or windows of nearby buildings

Protection under the stove

The ground under and around the stove needs protection:

Stove base:

• Create a fire-safe surface under the sauna stove (stone slabs, fiberglass mat, metal sheet, or tiles)
• The plate should be larger than the stove to catch any embers that may fall out through the door
• This protects against heat and embers igniting grass, dry leaves, or other ground vegetation
• Especially important during summer when it’s dry!

Around the tent:

• Keep the area around the tent free from dry grass, leaves, and other flammable materials
• Avoid placing directly on dry planks or similar
• At least 1 meter of free space around the entire tent is a must.

Safe wood storage

Store the wood properly:

• Never directly next to the stove or near direct heat
  
• Store the main wood supply outside the tent, and only what you need for the session inside the sauna tent itself

Practical tips for safe placement

• 4-5 meters from buildings – provides safety from sparks and smoke
• Free from overhanging branches – both for sparks and chimney height
• Fire extinguisher close at hand – keep it outside the tent
• Water supply – good to have water nearby
• Never leave the fire unattended
• Extinguish properly – check that no embers remain before leaving to further reduce fire risk

Our recommendation

For a wood-fired sauna tent, we recommend:

✓ At least 4-5 meters distance from houses and other buildings
✓ Fireproof plate under the stove (fiberglass mat, stone, or tile) 
✓ Chimney at least 1 meter above the highest point of the tent
✓Safe wood storage – no wood directly next to the stove
✓ Keep the area clean of dry grass and leaves
✓ Fire extinguisher easily accessible in case of unexpected events. 

With these basic precautions, you can enjoy your sauna tent safely and securely!