SteamSaunaBath Glossary

ADA - The acronym for the Americans with Disabilities Act, issued by the Department of Justice, as published in the Title III regulations (28 CRF Part 36, revised July 1, 1994) which, sets the standards for accessible design in appendix A of the Title III Regulations http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Adjusted Cubic Feet (ACF) - The adjusted size (in cubic feet) of a particular steam shower enclosure determined by a calculation which considers many variables including construction materials, unique room features and actual cubic footage to arrive at a corresponding Kilowatt rating and model of a steam shower generator

Ambient Room Temperature - The inside air temperature of the enclosure when not in use

Base Cubic Feet - The resulting cubic feet of an enclosure when calculating length, width and height only (see Adjusted Cubic Feet above)

Blind Fastened - A term used to describe an invisible method of joining or attaching two or more items. Where in woodworking, a fastener (screw, nail or other) is not visible

Board Joints - The visible area or space created by the joining of two or more boards

Combustible material - A substance that can be burned

Cubic Feet - The three-dimensional volume measurement of a lineal foot

Door Jamb - The material and/or area a door is hung or hinged to (see diagram below)

Finished Opening - A final or completed opening resulting when the finishing steam shower wall materials such as ceramic tile or natural stone have been applied

Framed Room Dimensions - Measurements of interior sauna room wall framing material (rough dimensions) used for the purpose of ordering a custom-cut sauna room (e.g., measured from stud to stud, furring strip to furring strip, etc.)

Furring Strips - Strips of wood applied to wall studs to provide a level mounting surface to attach sauna boards to

Heat Loss Factor - The ability of an elements presence in a steam shower to affect the heat loss associated with the environment

Horizontal Wall Board Direction - Parallel or in the same plane as the sauna room ceiling (see diagram below)

Infrared (IR) - Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths greater than those of visible light

Insulating Factor - A value assigned, and used in a steam room sizing calculation, for a materials capacity to lessen or prevent the leakage of heat from a steam shower environment

Kiln Dried - Drying by means of an oven. A process to reduce the moisture existing in wood

Kilowatt - 1000 watts and the universal distinguishable measure (power) of the electric steam generator

Kilowatt Rating - The unit by which steam generator, steam heat (power) capability is measured

Mass - The extent of a material's bulk, size and weight

Natural Stone - A surface material that forms naturally and is not man made

Radio Frequency - A frequency in the range within which radio waves may be transmitted (10 kilocycles/second to 300,000 megacycles/second)

Rough Opening - 1. The opening provided for the installation of a pre-hung sauna door consisting of wood framing and located in the exact area where the door is to be installed. Commonly referred to by the construction industry and in print as R.O. 2. The overall width of a door including its jamb material

S4S - An Industry acronym for “Smooth four sides,” which is commonly used when referring to wood characteristics. If a piece of wood is referred to as S4S, it will have four, finely sanded sides

Serviceable Area - An acceptable and appropriate steam generator installation location which considers convenient access to the front and two adjacent sides including the plumbing, electrical and steam generator’s service access panel

Steam Generator Reservoir - The assembly inside the steam generator that houses the heating element and necessary water to make steam

Thermal Conductivity - The ability of a material or substance to transmit or diffuse heat

Tongue & Groove - A term used to describe a wall materials type interlocking/mounting system. Board Tongue slips into adjoining board's groove upon installation

Vapor Proof - Impervious to the vapor associated with a steam shower environment

Vertical Wall Board Direction - Upright or perpendicular to the sauna room ceiling (see diagram below)

Volume - The three-dimensional measure of the size of a space

Wall Framing Materials - Material used and arranged for the purpose of rough construction of a room (e.g., studs, furring strips, etc.)

Water Feed System - The system by which water is metered into a steam generator reservoir

Water Level System - The system by which the water level inside the steam generator reservoir is maintained

Water Proof - Impervious to the direct spray of water and vapor associated with a seam shower environment

Watt - A unit of power equal to one joule per second or about 1/746 horse power