High-tech whirlpools and saunas: CE marking for their commercialisation – Sicom Testing, Electronic product testing

Home saunas and hydromassage tubs are among the most popular furnishing products dedicated to well-being, today much more accessible to various categories of users than in the past. Whether they are more or less traditional saunas and hot tubs, their operations have changed relatively little over time. However, they have been implemented various additional technologies which have made them the most desired home wellness elements.

Especially in the most spacious and elegant contexts, the latest generation hydromassage, the Finnish sauna and the infrared sauna have established themselves, enriched with hi-tech programs that allow you to redefine the experience connected to their use. Let's explore the main types of bathroom wellness devices and related technologies.

HYDROMASSAGE TUBS: TYPES AND FEATURES

Hydromassage tubs can be a solution applicable to the vast majority of bathroom environments. They range from the dimensions of a standard tub of 170 x 75 cm, up to the 400 cm versions, mostly suitable for outdoor spaces. Whether it's one panelable tub – supplied with infill panel – or one built-in version – to be inserted into a masonry, metal or wooden structure – hydromassage tubs are divided into two macro categories, related to the operation of the vents.

The main techniques that define the types of massage are the whirlpool technique, in which adjustable jets on the side walls of the tub deliver water mixed with air, and the airpool, in which air, alone or mixed with ozone, is introduced into the tub water through a series of diffusers located on the bottom. The same tub can be equipped with just one of these systems or with both.

Among the technical details, please note that the pressure of the tank's water circuit – which generally requires between 3 and 6 bar – must be compatible with that of the domestic water supply, and that an electrical socket with a safety switch and an earth connection must be provided. As a general rule The standard domestic 3 kW system is sufficient, if we are talking about standard functioning tanks.

FINNISH SAUNA AND INFRARED SAUNA

Among the different types of sauna we distinguish those with infrared heating and those with Electric stove heating, widely available on the market. To begin with, in an infrared sauna, the temperature range is between 30°C and 50°C, whereas in a Finnish-style sauna – powered by an electric or wood-burning stove – the temperature range fluctuates between 40°C and 110°C.

For the infrared sauna A standard 220V socket is required, with 10/16 Ampere protection. For medium/small cabins, a 3kW connection to the meter is sufficient; this ensures that energy consumption they are relatively low, hovering around 1.6k Wh per seat.

The Finnish saunas they require a more powerful connection. Starting from a minimum of 4.5 kW, preferably at 380 V; energy consumption is much higher, also because these are more spacious saunas, which can be accessed by multiple people simultaneously.

In the case of infrared saunas, heating can be achieved through the use of radiators – also called heaters – a infrared. The most common are constructed from carbon, ceramic, or a combination of the two. Electric sauna heaters, on the other hand, work via heating elements controlled by a thermostat, which are located inside the cabin, protected by a shielded metal casing. Generally, both of these types of sauna feature a control unit with a thermostat, which also allows you to adjust the resistances, the internal light, the audio and the various hi-tech features which we will talk about shortly.

HI-TECH TECHNOLOGIES FOR HYDROMASSAGE TUBS AND SAUNAS

Chromotherapy, music, aromatherapy, light effects; these are some of the elements that today enrich good quality hydromassage tubs and saunas. Thanks to LED light sets, for example, different programs can be activated diffusion of colored light. They can also be used high quality audio systems – with Bluetooth or WiFi connection – with transducers, speakers and speakers that convey vibrations and audio above and below the water level, in the case of the hydromassage, and inside the cabin in the case of the sauna.

Many saunas also feature an additional steam generator, which allows the room to be transformed into a steam bath, with different humidity settings, generally defined via a control unit.

CE MARKING OF HYDRO MASSAGE TUBS AND SAUNAS: WHAT OBLIGATIONS?

To obtain the CE marking for hot tubs and saunas it is necessary identify what the requirements are defined by the European Community directives, verifying them by applying the harmonized standards. We will therefore proceed with the preparation and drafting of the Technical file, where all the documents necessary to certify the conformity of the devices will be inserted.

The affixing of the CE marking in a visible, legible and indelible manner on the products and the drafting of the EU Declaration of Conformity they will therefore indicate the compliance of the products with the requirements of the European Community.

In the process of achievement of the CE markings, the figure who is most involved is that of manufacturer of the product itself. In fact, under his responsibility there is the drafting of the EU Declaration of Conformity and the Technical File and the conservation of all documents relating to the product for 10 years. Furthermore, the manufacturer is obliged to affix the CE mark and implement corrective actions to ensure constant conformity of the product to EU directives.

The importer's duties are more related to the verification function. In fact, he will be the one to verify that the product he imports is equipped with all necessary documentation and that this - under his responsibility - does not undergo changes that could make it non-compliant. Similarly, also the distributor must ensure that the conformity of the products continues over time, reporting to the competent authorities any event that jeopardises their legitimacy.