Steam shower systems

by Elaina Adams | December 11, 2011 2:11 pm

By Bart Gorelik
Steam therapy is far from a new phenomenon. For thousands of years, many different cultures have used the healing powers of steam to soothe the body and relax the mind. However, modern societies are now rediscovering for themselves the many benefits of steam and reinventing the ways in which people experience it.

A growing number of owners and managers of commercial and institutional properties have embraced steam therapy—hotels and resorts, golf and health clubs, day spas, and timeshares.

All of them recognize the health benefits steam can deliver to their members and clientele, including:

• rejuvenating tired muscles after an intense workout or a long day of work;
• relieving everyday stress and restoring energy;
• naturally detoxifying and removing impurities through perspiration; and
• opening the pores and hydrating the skin, leaving it softer and more supple—an especially notable benefit in Canada, where people must cope with long, dry winters.

Modern commercial steam systems
These health benefits are further bolstered by technological improvements in modern steam systems, making them more attractive and affordable for commercial applications.

Fewer components
First and foremost, steambathing requires a generator to produce and disperse water vapour at a preselected temperature around the body. Beyond the generator itself—properly sized for a particular application—and the steam head in the shower, the remaining essentials include:

• a temperature and a time regulator for controlling the warmth and duration of the steam session;
• a floor-to-ceiling gasketed door for containing the steam within the showering space; and
• a floor drain.

Working with construction materials
Most commercial installations feature ceramic-tile construction on both the ceilings and the walls. However, steam showers can actually be constructed from any number of nonporous materials, so one may come across a light-commercial application that also includes marble or granite or another water-resistant material. (For more on waterproofing, see the article “Building Waterproof Showers in High-rise Structures” by Dale Kempster, CSC, CTC, TTMAC, in the October 2011 issue of Construction Canada).

Easily customizable
Steam is about more than simply sweating; aromatherapy and music players help make it a special experience. Steam is truly customizable in terms of the room temperature, the amount of time spent in the shower, the various amenities selected, and the speed at which these add-ons are programmed to change during a steam session. The combinations are numerous.

For example, maybe one prefers to listen to Frank Sinatra while savouring a lavender-scented steam with the temperature set at 41 C (106 F). After 10 minutes, one is done and on his or her way. Or maybe one prefers being blasted by Led Zeppelin and enjoying the pungent aroma of eucalyptus with the temperature cranked to 44 C (111 F). Maybe he or she likes to remain in the shower longer—for at least 20 minutes.

Not all these options can be found in commercial applications as readily as they are in home systems, although smaller day spas and clubs tend to offer members and customers more ‘bells and whistles’—and more control over their use—than, say, a large hotel application. However, today’s technology makes these upgrades and the various choices they present more available and affordable than ever.

Sustainable steam
There is one other important ‘green’ advantage to steam that will likely become more prized in the years ahead. Steam uses less water than a multiple-head shower system or a whirlpool tub. A typical commercial system, for example, will consume roughly 9.5 to 11 L (2.5 to 3 gal) of water in a 20-minute session. Even a single standard showerhead, with a flow rate of 9.5 Lpm (2.5 gpm), will consume roughly 190 L (50 gal) during that same period.

Additionally, there are steam-generators with stainless-steel jackets that resist rust and, therefore, last longer, even in the type of wet, corrosive environments these units are typically installed. Due to its stainless steel construction, when that unit is finished, it will be 100 per cent recyclable and will not languish in a landfill.

System selection
Commercial steam applications typically call for one of two system types, depending on the size of the space and the frequency of its use. A commercial steam system is required if the steam room is:

• larger than 19 m³ (675 cf);
• in operation more than six hours per day; and
• designed to accommodate three or more bathers at a time.

Conversely, a light-commercial or day spa steam system is recommended if the steam room is:

• smaller than 19 m³;
• in operation fewer than six hours per day; and
• designed to accommodate only one or two bathers at a time.

A true commercial steam system will likely operate 12 to 18 hours per day. In such a heavily used system, steam should be available on demand. With 24-7 programming, this always-on status is critical for a large health club or resort with clientele walking in and out of the space in unpredictable numbers and frequencies.

A smaller day-spa steam system in a less busy club environment works like a furnace or boiler in a home, activating only on demand. Of course, the clientele of smaller clubs and resorts probably will not want to wait for steam, either. In that instance, one wants to design a system that keeps the water at a temperature—usually around 82 C (180 F)—that is low enough to save energy when not in use, but high enough to generate steam within a minute or two of actual demand.

Sizing the system
Creating a well-functioning commercial steam room is a relatively straightforward affair, but only if one avoids two major pitfalls—improper generator-sizing before the room is constructed and improper maintenance once it is finished.

As previously noted, most large commercial steam rooms—that have on-demand steam requirements—are built with ceramic tile. In such instances, the first step to successful generator-sizing is simply to measure the steam room’s length, width, and height, and then to multiply these three figures to calculate the room’s volume. Using a generator manufacturer’s specification charts, one can match the volume calculation with the right model number. Since most commercial steam applications use a pressure vessel, it is important to specify a generator built to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) requirements.

However, a smaller, light-commercial application is more likely to use wall and floor coverings other than, or in addition to, tile. If some type of porous, natural stone (i.e. marble, shale, granite, glass block, or concrete) is employed, one should double the room volume calculation before selecting the appropriately sized (i.e. larger) generator. To make the proper allowances, one should directly consult with the manufacturer. If ceramic or porcelain tile is mounted on cement board or a mortar bed, another 30 per cent should be added to the room volume result. Finally, if the steam room is constructed of nonporous acrylic or synthetic materials, one may be able to use a smaller generator than what the volume calculations indicate.

One of the most important aspects to create the ideal steam room is temperature consistency. The amount of steam delivered into the room should be regulated to maintain the preset temperature—typically between 40 and 45 C (105 and 112 F). The steam room temperature should never rise above 50 C (120 F), while cooler temperatures than 40 C may lead to user complaints.

Guidelines for locating the steam generator itself can be found in “Dos and Don’ts of Locating the Steam Generator”. There are also a few other important considerations to keep in mind:

• always check electrical wiring in the structure to determine the incoming electrical power (single-phase systems require a different generator model, even with the same kilowatt capacity, than three-phase systems);
• if the pipe runs from the generator to the steam head in the shower, and extends longer than 15 m (50 ft), a larger generator will be required; and
• a single generator can handle two rooms if their combined volume is no more than 40 m³ (1400 cf), but it is equally critical the two spaces be at least roughly the same size to avoid a serious temperature imbalance.

Room construction
A steam system’s long-term performance depends directly on the quality of the design and construction of the shower room itself, as well as the components included within.

Ceilings and walls
One must consider not only the construction materials in front of the wall (e.g. tile, marble, granite, and acrylic), but also what is behind these surfaces. To keep steam from escaping the room, a waterproof membrane must be constructed around the entire space, sealing not just the walls, but also the ceiling.

Figure 1 show the two options—a vapour-proof membrane using cement mortar, and a waterproof membrane with thin-set. Either is permitted in a commercial steam application as it mainly depends on local preference.

Proper room design also necessitates the ceiling be sloped 160 mm/m (2 in./ft), although the smoother the surface, the smaller the slope needs to be. This is an especially crucial consideration for commercial applications in which the generator is running out all the time. Under such conditions, large amounts of condensation will inevitably form on all surfaces. If the ceiling does not slope to allow the water to run down the wall, the room becomes a ‘rainforest,’ depositing hot droplets on unsuspecting and unappreciative bathers below. Consideration must also be given to seating areas. All benches and other seating locations must be sloped to allow the condensation to run off.

Shower doors
To retain the steam in the space, a gasketed floor-to-ceiling glass door is mandatory. While this door must be sealed on all four of its sides, the showering space needs a small amount of air infiltration—not for performance reasons, but so the room looks like a steam room. Just as a cloud in the sky needs air particles to be seen, a steam room needs air particles to render the steam itself visible to the bathers. Generally, there are enough gaps around the door hinges to create the proper esthetic effect. People moving in and out of the steam room, opening and closing the door, will help as well. However, if clients complain they cannot see the steam, the space needs a little more air.

Steam components
Figure 2 shows a fairly typical commercial installation, with the generator in a location remote from the room. Although it may seem perfectly obvious, the generator itself must be positioned on a solid surface and upright.

As previously noted, the system pipeline to the steam head in the room should extend no more than 15 m (50 ft). The longer the run, the more critical the insulation around the pipe to prevent heat loss. It is almost important to remember this line will be transporting steam, so the insulation must be rated at 100 C (212 F) or above.

The steam head, which delivers steam to the room, should be positioned 152 to 305 mm (6 to 12 in.) above the floor on the opposite wall from where bathers will be standing or sitting. The temperature sensor or probe should be placed on the opposite wall, away from the steam head.

The sensor’s function is to monitor and help maintain the preselected room temperature. Locate the probe too close to the head where it comes in contact with fresh steam, and one will get a false reading that is too hot. A better position is where the bather will sit or stand and at head or shoulder height—the ‘comfort level,’ or usually 1.2 or 1.5 m (4 or 5 ft) above the floor.

Add-ons
Commercial facility management should always retain readily accessible control of the device for setting the steam temperature and managing the various aroma, sound, and even colour therapies incorporated into their systems. The smaller light-commercial applications—such as those found at spas, resorts, and high-end hotels—lend themselves to these add-ons. After all, their clientele tends to want the complete steam experience that, for example, an aroma oil delivery system can provide.

Aromatherapy
This particular add-on is one of the most popular ways to create the right mood in commercial steam rooms. An automatic electronic dispenser, which typically includes a control pump and an oil atomizer, connects directly to the steam line and is controlled either by the user at the shower or, more likely, by management from a remote onsite location. These devices envelop the room with specially made aromatic, essential oils such as the eucalyptus and lavender. Some dispensers can regulate the rate of oil flow to create a better balance within the steam room.

Lighting
Poorly lit steam rooms appear uninviting and may even contribute to traffic problems if visibility is poor. A vapour-proof light can be a beneficial addition, but one should ensure the light is not too bright. After all, steam rooms are supposed to encourage rest and relaxation.

Steam stops
Lastly, many installations also include a steam stop in the shower so the system can be quickly shut down.

Proper maintenance
Aside from improper generator-sizing, the primary problem for any steam installation is sediment buildup. Even if the application draws its water north of the Arctic Circle, once the water is heated, sediment is created.

A commercial system that runs many hours each day is particularly vulnerable. Left unchecked, this sediment leaves a thick coat on the generator element, undermining performance and even risking premature failure. It can also cake up inside the generator tank, displacing the water. In short, removing this sediment quickly and efficiently helps sustain the system’s performance and longevity.

The best way to do this is by flushing the system on a regular basis. Light commercial systems often employ an automatic flushing system after each use to remove any impurities from the generator and its tank, while providing the next bather with fresh water for steam.

Larger, heavy-duty commercial systems employ a similar and equally essential device—an automatic blowdown drain kit that can be programmed to flush the entire system at preset intervals, such as when the unit is shut down overnight. Certain municipalities require the blowdown discharge to be 60 C (140 F) or less. Under such circumstances, a companion blowdown tank that conforms to Section VIII of BPVC, “Pressure Vessels,” is used to cool the hot water until it reaches the permissible temperature.

Even with these automatic flushing devices, a highly active commercial steam system demands a regular maintenance schedule. Frequency depends on use, and every generator manufacturer has a set of recommendations to be followed to keep its tank free of sediment. However, a thorough inspection and cleaning of the system every 30 days is highly recommended in hard water areas (at least every 90 days in soft water locales). The pipes leading to the blowdown drain should also be checked regularly for sediment buildup.

Attention to fundamentals
As commercial and institutional facilities and their patrons become increasingly aware of the powerful health benefits of steam therapy, demand for these systems will only grow. Creating a high-performance commercial steam system—including one that incorporates aromatherapy and other user-friendly enhancements—need not be an especially complicated or difficult affair.

However, to ensure success, one must pay close attention to numerous essentials—most notably, proper generator-sizing as well as regular care and maintenance of the system. Faithful adherence to these fundamentals will enable clients to build first-rate steam therapy systems that will perform reliably and at a high level for many years.

Bart Gorelik is the regional sales manager for Mr. Steam, headquartered in Long Island, N.Y. A 36-year veteran of the plumbing and heating industry, he joined Mr. Steam in 2008 after more than three decades as an independent manufacturers representative. Gorelik is a member of the Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Association (DPHA) and a registered trainer for continuing education unit (CEU) courses for both the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC). He can be reached via e-mail at bgorelik@sussmancorp.com.

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/steam-shower-systems/

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