| Basic Definition |
A PVDF air dome is an air-supported structure covered with flexible architectural fabric that has a PVDF-based protective finish. |
Choose a supplier that clearly distinguishes the PVDF coating from the base fabric and provides the complete material specification. |
Fabric construction, coating type, total weight, thickness, color, warranty terms, and technical data sheet. |
| Operating Principle |
Fans maintain a small, continuous positive internal air pressure. The pressure supports the membrane and stabilizes the enclosure. |
The design should include duty and standby fans, automatic pressure control, alarms, emergency power, and safe access arrangements. |
Pressure-control diagram, fan schedule, alarm logic, emergency operating procedure, and backup-power capacity. |
| PVDF Surface Finish |
PVDF finishes are used to improve resistance to ultraviolet exposure, weathering, dirt, and chemical attack compared with untreated fabric. |
Select a coating system suitable for the local climate, pollution level, cleaning method, and expected service life. |
Coating composition, UV and weathering test results, cleaning instructions, color-retention information, and surface warranty. |
| Base Membrane |
The membrane commonly uses high-strength woven polyester or similar technical textile coated with PVC or another polymer system. |
Confirm that the base fabric, coating, seams, edge cables, doors, and connection details are designed as one engineered system. |
Fabric strength, tear strength, adhesion, welding method, seam strength, dimensional stability, and fire-performance documentation. |
| Structural Design |
The dome must resist dead load, wind, snow where applicable, internal pressure, seismic effects, and equipment loads. |
Use a supplier capable of providing project-specific structural calculations rather than relying only on a standard layout. |
Design basis, local code references, load combinations, membrane analysis, anchorage calculations, and signed engineering documents. |
| Internal Pressure |
Required pressure varies with geometry, airtightness, wind conditions, door operation, and the applicable design standard. |
Avoid choosing a dome based on a single advertised pressure value. The pressure range should be calculated for the actual site and use. |
Normal and maximum operating pressure, pressure tolerance, sensor accuracy, control setpoints, and low-pressure alarm values. |
| Air Tightness |
Lower air leakage reduces fan workload and operating energy while improving pressure stability. |
Give priority to well-designed seams, sealed penetrations, airlocks, revolving doors, and properly detailed service openings. |
Air-leakage test method, measured leakage result, door-cycle assumptions, and maintenance requirements for seals. |
| Energy Consumption |
Most operating energy is used by ventilation and air-pressure fans; heating, cooling, lighting, and dehumidification add to demand. |
Compare fan efficiency, variable-frequency drives, heat-recovery options, insulation strategy, and the projected annual energy profile. |
Fan motor efficiency, airflow and pressure curves, control strategy, estimated electricity use, and climate assumptions. |
| Climate Suitability |
The design must account for local wind, snow, rainfall, temperature range, solar radiation, humidity, and corrosion exposure. |
Select a manufacturer with experience in the project’s actual climate and applicable building regulations. |
Site-specific environmental design criteria, climate data sources, snow and wind assumptions, drainage design, and corrosion protection. |
| Fire Performance |
Membrane fire performance depends on the complete fabric system, including the substrate, coating, seams, and installation details. |
Require documentation for the exact proposed membrane instead of accepting a general statement about flame resistance. |
Test standard, classification or test result, certificate validity, tested fabric construction, and local code compliance statement. |
| Ventilation and Indoor Environment |
Air-supported buildings require planned ventilation to control carbon dioxide, humidity, odors, temperature, and contaminants. |
For sports, industrial, or storage use, size ventilation according to occupancy, process emissions, equipment, and indoor air-quality targets. |
Ventilation rate, filtration level, fresh-air ratio, indoor-air-quality controls, condensation strategy, and equipment layout. |
| Doors and Access |
Large doors can cause pressure loss and unnecessary fan demand when opened, so airlocks or pressure-compensating systems may be required. |
Match the entrance type to traffic frequency, vehicle dimensions, accessibility needs, fire strategy, and required pressure recovery time. |
Door dimensions, opening speed, airlock arrangement, pressure recovery data, escape exits, and accessibility details. |
| Foundation and Anchorage |
The membrane transfers loads to perimeter anchorage, foundation beams, ground anchors, or another engineered support system. |
Confirm that the proposed anchorage is compatible with soil conditions and the existing or planned foundation. |
Anchor layout, pull-out calculations, foundation loads, soil assumptions, drainage details, and installation tolerances. |
| Fabrication Quality |
Panel cutting, heat welding, reinforcement, edge details, and penetration sealing directly affect strength and airtightness. |
Choose a manufacturer with documented production controls, traceability, calibrated welding equipment, and dimensional inspection. |
Quality-control plan, welding inspection records, material batch traceability, factory acceptance procedure, and nonconformance process. |
| Installation Capability |
Correct tensioning, anchoring, sealing, fan commissioning, and control-system setup are essential for reliable operation. |
Prefer a supplier that can provide an installation method statement, trained technicians, commissioning, and operator training. |
Installation schedule, crew qualifications, lifting plan, commissioning checklist, training program, and handover documents. |
| Maintenance Requirements |
Routine maintenance includes fan inspection, filter replacement, pressure-sensor checks, seam inspection, cleaning, and emergency-system testing. |
Evaluate the accessibility and availability of replacement components before signing the contract. |
Preventive-maintenance schedule, spare-parts list, expected replacement intervals, service response time, and maintenance cost estimate. |
| Warranty and Service |
Membrane, mechanical equipment, controls, installation workmanship, and coating may have different warranty conditions. |
Compare warranty coverage by component and ensure that exclusions, inspection requirements, and response obligations are clearly written. |
Separate warranty periods, covered defects, exclusions, service-level commitments, claim procedure, and long-term support plan. |
| Project Documentation |
Complete documentation is necessary for approval, construction, operation, inspection, and future maintenance. |
Do not evaluate suppliers by price alone; require a complete technical submission for an equivalent scope. |
Drawings, calculations, material certificates, fire documents, operating manuals, inspection records, and as-built files. |
| Total Cost of Ownership |
The purchase price is only one part of the cost. Energy, maintenance, replacement parts, cleaning, inspections, and service also matter. |
Compare suppliers using the same design life, operating schedule, energy assumptions, warranty scope, and maintenance obligations. |
Itemized capital cost, annual operating estimate, maintenance budget, replacement assumptions, and lifecycle-cost calculation. |