FAQ

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Technology & Innovations

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Frequently Asked Questions

HOW AIR DOMES WORK

The ventilation system provides a slight overpressure inside the air dome, ensuring a proper inflation in every climate condition. The same ventilation system can have a heating and/or cooling option which provides the desired temperature inside the dome. The membrane’s role is identical to walls and roof in conventional structures.

SAFETY

The ventilation system inflates the air dome and in case of a power outage, the emergency back-up system can keep the air dome up for up to 100h. In the unlikely scenario that the power outage is longer than 100h, then the air dome will slowly deflate over the course of 60-120 min and can be easily be inflated back up in a matter of minutes.

COMPLETE PROJECT SUPPORT

  • Get a free estimate
  • Book a call to review
  • Customise your future air dome
  • We build your dome
  • You enjoy your new dome

TAX AND DEPRECIATION ADVANTAGES

Air domes are considered equipment and are taxed like any other equipment purchase, instead of being considered as real property. In areas where personal property tax is not applicable, or is only minimally applicable, the buyer may not have to pay taxes on the air dome itself, but only on the property it sits on.  Additionally, the air dome's depreciation schedule is typically shorter, around 7 years, compared to the 39-year depreciation schedule for traditional buildings. It is important to note that each jurisdiction may have different tax laws, so it's best to consult with a financial or tax professional for more specific information.

VENTILATION / HVAC SYSTEM

The ventilation and heating system provides a certain amount of air in the structure continually. Simultaneously, this provides fresh airflow to the airdome to keep a healthy, fresh and cool environment for the visitors inside the dome. Depending on your needs, the units can also heat or cool the air that goes in to achieve the desired climate conditions inside the dome. The heating options are natural gas, LPG, oil, electricity and heat pump.

EMERGENCY BACKUP SYSTEM

Reliability and safety are the most important features of air domes and the constant power supply is a critical item that must not be left to chance, our equipments have reliable engines which have a service network globablly if ever fast interventions is required.

LIGHTING SYSTEM

Our air domes come with a lighting system, typically made from LED projectors. The LED lights are usually direct or indirect, fixed on the air dome ceiling aimed down or aimed up. These lights lead to unprecedented energy savings and have a high quality of life with long-lasting performance.

APPLICATIONS

An air dome is versatile and ideal for applications needing a clear, unobstructed span. It's adaptable for various sports, including football, tennis, volleyball, handball, badminton, basketball, swimming, and more. Beyond sports, air domes are also suitable for a range of other uses such as warehouses, industrial spaces, event hosting, military purposes, agricultural activities, and more.

ANCHORING

Every structure needs a solid foundation to keep it anchored and secure. Our structures can be anchored with rings + metal tubes, metal L profiles or grade beams. We can offer also more advanced foundations options which are classified as 100 percent temporary, can be relocatable and repurposed on other location. This anchoring option is environmentally sensitive, as the anchors can be removed without disturbing the surrounding area, typically without a requirement for a building permit

EXTERIOR DESIGN

In the past, air-supported domes were commonly built with a white exterior. However, we now provide a wider range of colors and patterns for our clients to choose from. For instance, green is a popular choice for those who want the dome to blend in with a forested environment, while sandstone can effectively conceal dust accumulation in arid areas. In addition, we can integrate prominent corporate logos onto the dome's exterior to increase brand exposure, particularly in high-traffic areas. Air domes can even be fitted on top of buildings or on verticle walls. In the example below the air dome was fixed at 1.6m in height on a vertical wall on 2 sides and fixed at 1.4m in height on the other side.

SKYLIGHTS

Skylights are translucent panel sections to bring in natural light during daytime hours that will improve the interior aesthetic of the building and reduce costs associated with operating all or some of the interior lighting. The skylight can be altered to be larger or smaller depending on needs and local climate.

OPTIMAL PRESSURE

Under typical conditions, the internal pressure within the air-inflated structure ranges from 150 to 250 Pascals (Pa), varying based on the dome's size and specific design features.

TIME TO EVACUATE

Air domes are designed with numerous emergency exits, facilitating efficient evacuation in case of an emergency. Additionally, unlike conventional buildings, air domes do not collapse abruptly. Instead, they deflate gradually, providing ample time for individuals inside to safely evacuate.

MEMBRANE PRODUCTION

The membrane system is constructed using two or more layers of membrane material, joined together through high-frequency (HF) welding technology. The external membrane, crafted from high tenacity polyester fabric and coated with a special lacquer, is robust and designed to withstand various external forces and influences. The internal membrane is lighter and serves as an insulating layer. Approximately every 2-3 meters, the membranes are securely bonded using HF welding. This process ensures reinforced strength both vertically and horizontally. These standard membranes are UV-resistant, and their durability and quality are further enhanced by special coatings like Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or Titanium dioxide (TiO2).

DIMENSIONS

Each dome is made to measure for the site. We recommend a minimum gap of 0.5m with the ideal gap being 3m, between the fence and the dome. All dimensions can be customised, the length, width, height, air pocket, insulation rating, plasement of lights and doors and even the marketing banners and skylights.

INSTALLATION

We provide worldwide installation services. No matter if you're seeking a dome that will be permanently installed or a seasonal one that will be set up and taken down numerous times, our skilled installation technicians will collaborate with you to ensure that your facility is professionally installed, regardless of your site's location.

TIMELINE

As fast as 5 weeks from contract to completion of installation, although 12 to 26 weeks is typical. Seasonal installations can be completed in 2 to 7 days depending on size.

PORTABILITY AND SEASONAL USE

Can be designed for permanent, seasonal, or temporary installation. Able to be relocated at a later date, although foundation work will need to be repeated at new site.

LESS WASTED SPACE

Due to the designed slope of the roof profile, an air-supported building will feature significantly less surface area than most conventionally-built structures of the same height. As the image below depicts, there will also be much less unnecessary interior space which would otherwise require additional energy to heat or air-condition.

FUNDING

In the UK, the LTA & Sport England, local authorities have all provided funding for air domes in the past and we can guide you on the process.

In the US typically our clients get an SBA loan to finance their dome at great rates.

We also have financed domes through 3rd party financiers that have a global presence and we can help with an introduction if needed.

OPERATIONAL COSTS

To operate the inflation fans of all domes, an electrical source is necessary. In addition, some air domes come equipped with heating, which can be powered by either gas or fuel. Please contact us through the website and we can advise further regarding the initial supply and install of an air dome as well as operating costs for the fans and lights. The type of dome, dimensions, location and usage are all relevant factors.

CONDENSATION

When an air dome is initially set up or re-inflated over a wet ground, there is a possibility of condensation formation. In case the dome is equipped with heating, the condensation will dissipate rapidly. However, if there is no heating available, the moisture can be eliminated by using dehumidifiers.

DOORS

Door come in many shapes and sizes, most air domes need a tunnel door or revolving door and an emergency door. More doors can be added and in special cases vehicle/truck airlock access doors can be fitted.

STORAGE

If you decide to only use the air dome seasonally, 6 months per year, it is recommended to have a storage shed positioned alongside one end of the covered surface, to easily fold the dome onto.

WARRANTY

Our exterior fabric carries a pro-rated 7 or 20 year warranty against degradation of the material, depending on the supplier chosen. All other components (lighting, doors, HVAC & inflation systems) carry a 1 to 2 year warranty.

DEPRECIATION

A significant advantage of HeroX air-supported buildings being classified as personal property lies in the distinct depreciation methods permitted. For taxation purposes, personal property can be depreciated over a shorter period of 5 to 7 years using accelerated methods. In contrast, real estate property generally undergoes depreciation over a longer span of 39 years with straight-line depreciation. This means that HeroX's air-supported buildings, due to their classification as personal property, not only benefit from a shorter depreciation period (5 to 7 years as opposed to 39) but also from the possibility of accelerated depreciation, offering dual tax benefits compared to traditional construction methods. It is important to consult with a financial advisor for specific advice.

CLASSIFICATION

A number of key elements play a role in the designation of HeroX air-supported buildings as personal property in the context of real estate taxation. These buildings are constructed off-site and then put together at the intended location. The cost to disassemble them is less than 20% of their replacement cost. Furthermore, the way HeroX's air-supported buildings are attached to their foundations facilitates easy dismantling. Given these considerations, when assessed against the IRS's criteria for permanence, as established in the federal tax court case Whiteco Industries Inc. v Commissioner, 65 TC 664 Dec 33, 594, air structures like these are typically not categorized as real estate property.

TEMPORARY

IRS regulations 1.81-1 and 1.1245-3 are pivotal in defining whether a building structure is classified as real estate property or personal property. The IRS categorizes personal property as any tangible property that is not land or land improvements. According to the IRS, buildings and their structural components are regarded as real property (IRC sec. 1250). A structure is deemed a building under Regulation 1.48-1 if it is assessed to be “inherently permanent.” Conversely, if a structure does not meet the criteria of being inherently permanent, it is treated as tangible personal property and is thus exempt from real estate taxes.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

State and local tax authorities classify taxpayer-owned property into two categories: real estate property and personal property. Real estate property encompasses land, building structures, and any other items permanently affixed to land or a building. In contrast, personal property consists of all items that do not fall under the real estate property category. Real estate property is subject to taxation by state, county, and local governments. Personal property, however, is either not taxed or taxed at a lower rate. An advantage of HeroX air-supported buildings is their potential classification as personal property by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as outlined in IRS service code section 1245. This classification means that personal property, including such buildings, is exempt from real estate taxes.

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