Legal & compliance
Electrical safety for saunas and ice baths: EICR, PAT, RCDs and IP ratings
By ThermaCare team · Published 2026-09-16 · Reviewed 2026-09-16 · UK guidance
A recovery room needs an in-date Electrical Installation Condition Report from a qualified electrician (typically every five years, sooner if recommended), 30 mA RCD protection on every circuit feeding a bath, chiller, sauna heater or shower, portable appliance testing for plug-in equipment, and every powered unit UKCA or CE marked with an enclosure rated for its position (IPX4 or better where it can be splashed). Keep the EICR, PAT records and each unit's declaration of conformity, and have staff do a visual electrical check every day.
The fixed installation
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require the installation to be safe and maintained; BS 7671 is how electricians judge that. The EICR is the evidence. For a wet commercial room ask the electrician to state the RCD protection on each relevant circuit and to note the IP ratings of fittings near water. Fix any C1 or C2 observations before opening.
The equipment
Chillers, pumps, heaters, controllers and lighting must carry UKCA or CE marking under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016. Ask the supplier for the declaration of conformity and keep it with the manual. Check the data plate for the IP rating and confirm it suits where the unit actually sits; a chiller on the floor beside a tub is a splash zone.
Daily and periodic checks
A daily visual check by staff: damaged cables, water on equipment, tripped RCDs, warning lights. Test the RCD test button as the manufacturer or electrician advises. PAT test plug-in equipment on a sensible cycle for the environment.
Questions operators ask next
How often does a gym or recovery room need an EICR?
Commercial premises are commonly on a five-year cycle; wet or high-use environments may be given a shorter interval on the report. Follow the date the electrician writes on it.
Does a sauna need RCD protection?
Yes. Circuits feeding heaters and controls in a hot, sometimes humid room should be 30 mA RCD protected, as should anything near the shower or bath.
See where your room stands
ThermaCare tracks every requirement on this page against your own records, with the daily checklist, water tests, certificate reminders and asset history to prove it. Start with the free five-minute risk score, or create your account.
This guide summarises UK legislation and HSE guidance as understood on 2026-09-16. It is a working guide, not legal advice; decisions about your premises rest with you and your professional advisers.