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!
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