Building Your Dome 101

Building an air dome with Herox is a streamlined and cost-effective alternative to traditional construction, though it requires specific expertise. Herox collaborates with clients, ensuring they understand each stage of the process, from planning to long-term maintenance.

The development of a dome involves 13 key steps:

(1) Project Site Visits:‍

We invite potential clients to visit our previous projects to observe the exceptional quality of our installations. Recognizing the value of experiencing our product in real-world settings, these visits demonstrate the seamless operation and superior setup of our air domes in various clubs and will help the beneficiary in the project design phase.

(2) Project Design:

This initial phase involves understanding client needs, dome usage, and financial goals. Herox customizes each dome's design, clarifying project requirements and working with a team of professionals, including general contractors and architects, for related projects like adjacent buildings and landscaping. This phase typically takes several months, followed by a permitting process that can last up to a year. During this process we create a detailed design of your prospective air dome. This design includes all critical aspects: dimensions, door placements, inflation units, lighting, membrane features, energy efficiency of both the membrane and inflation units. Following the design finalization, our structural engineers complete the drawings and ensure the dome is compliant with the local wind and snow load, paving the way for production and can provide stamped drawings if needed.

(3) Air Dome Manufacturing:
Upon approval of the final design, we commence the manufacturing of the air dome, incorporating all agreed specifications, including accessories, doors, and inflation units.

(4) Site Construction:

After obtaining permits, the general contractor prepares the site, including building a concrete foundation to anchor the dome. There are 4 major ways of anchoring a dome, Grade Beam, L-profiles, Tubes or Earth Anchors. This phase also involves setting up utilities for inflation, HVAC, and lighting systems, along with site improvements like parking and stormwater management.

(5) Production and Delivery:‍

Production timelines range from 1 to 6 months, based on dome size and manufacturing capacity. When production finalises, we arrange transportation to your location.

(6) Unloading and Safety:‍

Upon arrival, immediate unloading and correct placement of components are crucial. Strategic positioning of the Inflation-Heating System is vital for noise reduction and maintaining distance from residential areas. ‍The journey begins with the delivery of the air dome components. These include the fabric membrane, anchorage system, lighting, HVAC units, and all necessary hardware.

(7) Preparing the Surface:‍

Prior to installation, removal of nets and other obstructions is required. A protective plastic layer is typically placed to safeguard the membrane and protect it from dirt. ‍

(8) Dome Installation:

Herox's team can provide a tehnician to supervise the installation of the dome or can install turnkey.

(9) Spreading the Membrane:

The fabric membrane, the heart of the air dome, is then carefully unrolled and positioned.

(10) Connecting the Membrane to the Anchorage System:

Accurate alignment and connection of the membrane to the anchorage system is crucial for dome stability. In this step the membrane parts are connected to one another and the membrane is connected to the anchorage system and doors.

(11) Inflating the Dome:

‍Post-anchoring, the inflation process begins. It is imperative to ensure the availability of triphase power and gas connections for the inflation and heating unit.

(12) Installing Lights:

Concurrent with inflation or after the inflation has finalised, the lighting system is integrated into the dome.

(13) Enjoying Your State-of-the-Art Facility:

‍The final step is the most rewarding – enjoying your new, state-of-the-art air dome facility. Whether it’s for sports, events, or any other purpose, the air dome offers a weather-resistant, versatile space. Its installation marks the beginning of a new range of possibilities, from hosting year-round sporting events to providing a unique venue for community gatherings.

Conclusion:

‍The installation of an air dome is a seamless process that leads to the creation of a dynamic and adaptable space. By following these steps – from receiving the delivery to the final enjoyment of the facility – owners can ensure a successful and efficient installation, paving the way for endless opportunities in their new, innovative space.

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