Question 1

What is an air dome structure?

Accepted Answer

An air dome (air-supported membrane structure) is a building supported entirely by internal air pressure. A high-strength membrane is anchored to a foundation and kept inflated by a continuous low-pressure air supplying system, creating a column-free interior with no internal beams or supports.

Question 2

How large can an air dome be?

Accepted Answer

With Sinox's advanced air dome engineering and design expertise, our air-supported structures can achieve spans of up to 120 meters and virtually unlimited length. These clear-span air dome buildings provide column-free interior space with peak heights reaching 40 meters or more, depending on project requirements. From sports facilities such as tennis courts and football fields to large-scale industrial storage and environmental protection projects, Sinox air domes deliver flexible, durable, and cost-effective space solutions.

Question 3

How long does installation take?

Accepted Answer

Installation typically takes between 1 and 4 weeks depending on the size and complexity of the structure. This is significantly faster than conventional construction, which can take many months.

Question 4

What climate conditions can air domes withstand?

Accepted Answer

Our structures are engineered to withstand wind speeds up to 160 km/h and snow loads up to 450 kg/m². They operate reliably in temperatures from -40°C to +70°C with smart climate control systems.

Question 5

Are air domes energy efficient?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The membrane provides good insulation, and natural daylight transmission reduces lighting costs. Modern climate control and air handling systems are optimized for energy efficiency, and the structures can incorporate insulated membrane options for extreme climates. In addition, we integrated the air dome with Smart Control System to realized the most optimized operating status at all times. Energy will be saved from 25-35% than traditional ways.

Question 6

What is the approval process for air-supported structures?

Accepted Answer

In most of the countries and regions, air-supported structures or air domes are typically classified as temporary or semi-permanent buildings. This means that their approval procedures are genneraly simplier and faster than those of traditional concrete buildings and this will significantly shortening the early stage project preparation cycle. However, the specific approval requirements, such as fire safety, urban planning and foundation construction permits still depend on local regulations. Our team can provide you with the complete design drawings and technical specifications to fully assist you through the local approval process.

Question 7

What happens if the power goes out?

Accepted Answer

Air domes integrated with backup power systems (generators) that automatically activate to maintain power for inflation fans and emergency lights. The structure also deflates slowly and safely, providing ample time for backup systems to engage. Pressure is continuously monitored by automated control systems.

Question 8

What are the main components of an air dome?

Accepted Answer

An air dome consists of the following core engineering system working together to maintain stability and safety: Membrane System: The outter fabric that forms the shell of the dome to hold internal air pressure and create air dome internal colume free space. Usually dual layers is adopted and filling with insulation layer in between, which will save at least 30% of the energy than those only with single layer membrane. Cable System: For those larger than 50 meters on width or fighting for the heavy wind scinarios, calbe system will be sugguested to help the air dome fighting for the harsh environment. Maximum wind load can reach up to 160KMH under the help of cable system. Inflation & HVAC System: The mechanical heart and lung that supplies continuous air pressure into the internal space and climate control to keep internal fresh air at always. Anchoring System: The structural foundation that secures the fabric membranc system to the ground. Smart Control System: Different kinds of sensors will be equiped onto the air dome and integrated with a smart control system to realize automatic & remote control and monitoring of the air dome, which will minized the operational costs at the same time. Standby Power Supply System: In case of the city power shut down or any unexpected situations, we will equip the air dome with standby power supply system to keep air dome always online. Lighting System: Different kinds of lights are available to choose for different applications, which also can be integrated with the Smart Control System. Door System: Air lock doors, like revovling doors, safety doors, KFC doors, truck doors are designed to prevent air pressure loss to save energy. Please contact at jeff@sinoxindustry.com or WhatsApp +8613190008688 for any of your concerns.

Question 9

What is the lifespan of an air dome?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the application and membrane specification, our air domes have a design life of 25 to 30 years.

Question 10

Can air domes be relocated?

Accepted Answer

Yes, one of the key advantages of air dome structures is their relocatable design. They can be deflated, dismantled, and reinstalled at a new location, making them ideal for temporary or evolving needs.

Question 11

Where does the air dome can be use?

Accepted Answer

Air Domes for Sports Facilities Sports facilities are among the most common applications of air-supported structures. An air dome can cover a stadium, multi-purpose sports hall, fitness center, swimming pool, tennis court, badminton center, football field, golf practice area or professional training facility. Commercial Applications Air domes are appropriate for large, fully enclosed commercial environments such as temporary exhibition halls, event centers, product display spaces and seasonal activity venues. Their rapid installation and large clear-span interior make them suitable for projects that require flexible use and relatively short construction schedules. The shape, color, translucency and supporting structure can be customized to match the surrounding architecture and the intended commercial image. Cultural, Exhibition and Tourism Facilities Air-supported dome can be used for exhibition centers, theaters, conference halls, museums, botanical gardens, aquariums, performance centers, tourism areas, resorts, outdoor stages and music plazas. An air dome is suitable when the project requires a large enclosed space with controlled temperature, ventilation and lighting. This makes it useful for temporary exhibitions, cultural events, performances and seasonal visitor facilities. Transportation Infrastructure For fully enclosed transportation facilities, an air-supported structure may also be considered where rapid construction and a large unobstructed interior are required. Access control, evacuation routes, fire safety, vehicle clearance and ventilation must be incorporated into the project-specific design. Industrial and Logistics Applications Air domes can provide large enclosed spaces for factories, warehouses, logistics centers, processing facilities, research centers, greenhouses and large equipment shelters. The column-free interior improves the movement of vehicles, machinery and stored materials. It also allows production lines, storage zones and access routes to be adjusted without interference from internal structural columns. Greenhouses, Research Centers and Treatment Facilities Air domes can be designed for selected agricultural greenhouses, research centers, environmental treatment plants and controlled production areas. These projects require more than a standard structural enclosure. The design may need to consider natural light transmission, ultraviolet exposure, insulation, ventilation, temperature stability, humidity, chemical resistance and process-specific air quality. Rooftop Air Dome Applications Rooftop air domes make productive use of otherwise underutilized space and may reduce the need to purchase additional land. Their lightweight construction can also place less dead load on the supporting building than many conventional long-span structures. However, rooftop installation is not automatically suitable for every building. A professional assessment must verify the roof’s load-bearing capacity, anchoring conditions, wind exposure, waterproofing, access routes, emergency evacuation, fire safety and compliance with local planning and building regulations. Air domes can be customized according to the project location and intended use. Design options may include overall span and height, single- or double-layer membranes, thermal insulation, cable reinforcement, anchoring systems, entrance airlocks, emergency exits, vehicle doors, lighting, HVAC, ventilation, fire protection and automated control.

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