A fireplace basically refers to a device in which heat is generated by burning fuels. This includes, for example, boilers, ovens, cookers and fireplaces. Typically, fireplaces burn fuels such as wood, gas or oil.
With regard to sauna heaters, the classification as a fireplace depends on the type of fuel used. A sauna heater that is powered by electricity does not burn any physical fuel and generates heat through electric current. Therefore, an electrically powered sauna heater is not considered a fireplace in the traditional sense.
A wood-burning sauna heater, on the other hand, burns wood to generate heat. Therefore, it falls into the category of fireplaces. These wood-burning sauna stoves are mainly used in traditional saunas to heat the air and stones. They produce the high temperature and specific humidity characteristic of the sauna.
As wood-burning sauna stoves are considered fireplaces, they are subject to approval in Germany. This means that they must comply with certain safety regulations and be approved by a chimney sweep. The chimney sweep checks that the stove and the associated chimney are safe and properly installed and that the exhaust gases are discharged correctly. It is therefore important that you contact your responsible district chimney sweep before installing a wood-burning sauna stove.