Structural Air Dome Components
Fabric Membrane
The dome's membrane is made from two or three layers of fabric and each project's computer designed pattern is engineered to create the domes shape.
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The outer layer is manufactured using architectural grade vinyl coated polyester fabric and can offer self cleaning coatings. They are also treated and tested to meet the most stringent international fire safety standards. Sourced from the world's leading manufacturers such as Du Pont and Seamans (Shelter-Rite) they come backed by 20 year factory warranties and the reassurance of decades of proven durability.
The outer layer's seams are heat welded to leave the seams stronger than the original fabric itself. The interior layer comprise different liners, which provide thermal and acoustic qualities for the dome. Dependent on the dome purpose and uses, complete blackout options can be provided.
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We can supply our fabrics in a wide range of colours or the ability to print almost any pattern, logo or text.
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ASATI Full Bias Cable Net
Bias Harness Cable Net
ASATI invented and patented the full bias-harness cable net system and since has applied this revolutionary system to many hundreds of air-supported structures.
This latticework of vinyl-coated galvanised cables mean our structures can cope with extreme conditions with the loads being evenly distributed across the entire structure net and to the foundation anchorage system taking pressure off the fabric membrane.
The cable net system is designed to flex with changing directional loads by allowing a dynamic response via the use of sheave (pulley) blocks to disperse the forces evenly across the net and the foundation. This greatly increases the overall strength and stability of the dome to prevent swaying or movement of the structure in windy conditions.
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The Full Bias Cable Net Advantage:
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Will withstand 241 km/h winds
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250 kg/sqm of roof snow loads passively and unlimited snowfall with ASATI's newly patented thaw system
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Provides up to 30 safety systems where alternative systems only provide 6
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Prevents Tear propagation allowing easy repair if needed
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Extends the Longevity of the Fabric Skin by many years
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Seismic performance.
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Insulation & Acoustics
ASATI offers three different levels of thermal construction built into its multi-layer membrane. Our standard option of R-.7 is more than 2.5 times the thermal efficiency of double glazed windows. For most applications in New Zealand this is more than adequate, but we can also provide insulation levels of up to R-2.1 if required.
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In real terms when comparing similar R ratings between a dome and a traditional building the efficiency of our structures is significantly enhanced by the domes shape which has significantly less exterior surface compared to traditionally constructed clear span buildings as demonstrated in the graphic.
Our thermal liners use a proprietary tab system to ensure a consistent thermal value across the entire structure to minimize heating/cooling loss. Without this patented system the thermal value for our competitors domes can be reduced to as little as half of what ASATI thermal liners achieve.
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In extremely hot or cold environment, or where required for cold storage a polyethylene and foil bubble film in-between aluminum polyester sheets is used.
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Our multilayer designs which achieve this also provides sound insulation to reduce noise escaping from or entering into the dome and most importantly to reduce reverberation to enhance user's comfort and enjoyment and ability for multiple purpose uses.
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Foundation
The main forces acting on the structures are lift from the internal pressure and shear from wind or seismic activity.
The foundation most often used is a grade beam specifically designed for your dome to deal with local conditions and codes. The ASATI advantage comes from a holistic design where all components from the foundation up are designed to work in harmony to spread the forces evenly across the entire structure. This comes from the careful integration of the foundation, anchoring system, bias harness net, computer optimised architectural fabric pattern and their heat welded seams, section joiners, and control systems that automatically increase internal pressure if forces acting on the structure intensify.
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The aluminum or steel profile anchors are cast into the top of the grade beam, creating a channel to attach the fabric membrane to the concrete.
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Other options include attaching the dome to traditionally constructed buildings that can form non pressurised reception lobbies, administration and retail areas, changing and ablution facilities etc. These can provide glass doors and window viewing both into the structure as well as to the outside as well and allows wider architectural design scope.
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We can also use shipping containers, earth anchors or sand and water ballast systems for seasonal & temporary structures.
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Pressurisation & HVAC
Our purpose designed HVAC provides automatic climate and pressure control. Our units are the most energy efficient in the industry, utilizing variable frequency drive technology (VFD). The system recirculates the air, eliminating stratification to deliver the more constant ceiling-to-floor temperatures and more efficient thermostat heating and cooling.
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ASATI offers automated sensors and controls will automatically adjust the internal pressure to deal with changing weather conditions. Under normal conditions the pressure will be maintained at around 2.5kpa, but may increase to double this if required by weather conditions. Even operating at full pressure, the difference from the outside is not noticeable by occupants.
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In many cases, your local conditions and the thermal insulation of our structures may mean you do not require heating and cooling, and in this case we can install a Primary Pressurisation System only.
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The emergency backup auxiliary pressurization system comes as standard with back up inflation unit and generator. It is is fully automatic, and will start tn the event of mechanical failure of the primary units or electric grid power failure.
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All plant and equipment is supplied in insulated weather proof housings and delivered complete with all required ducting.
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Doors & Loading Bays
Our air supported structures require a very low positive pressure to be maintained (around .38 kpa). While our structures will remain inflated if some doors were opened to the outside, losing air pressure means the HVAC and blowers would have to work a lot harder to keep the structure inflated lowering the energy efficiency of the structure.
Therefore our ASATI structures come equipped with purpose designed doors of various types:
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Revolving doors for pedestrians during normal operations
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Air lock entrances for allowing access of small groups of people at once, wheelchairs, or to manually bring in bulkier items such as using trolleys etc.
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Loading bay airlocks for vehicles such as cars, vans and large trucks & trailers.
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Emergency egress doors with crash bars. These are designed specifically for air structure use.
Natural & LED Lighting
Our structures can be made translucent up to an R-8 insulation level. Up to 13,000 lumens of natural light can be allowed in during daylight hours and even on overcast days artificial lighting will not be required providing significant annual power savings.
For night-time operation, ASATI will provide a lighting design and fit-out that suits the intended uses for your structure. The G2-LED Hanglite system is specifically designed for use suspended from the ceiling of our air structures.
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G2-LED Hanglite Advantages:
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56% Energy savings
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44,200 lumen output with no lumen drop-off
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A 15-year LED lifespan
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No bulb changes providing savings and user disruptions
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No ballasts required eliminating wasted space
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The LED lighting can be designed for or multiple use activities. Much of the fixtures' light output is projected up to the curved dome liner and then is uniformly reflected across the whole of the facility floor area. The result is a very even distribution of light with the fixtures able to be arrayed in a way to prevent glare affecting participants.
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