Air Structures in Use

When an uninformed person comes across the term air structures they probably have no idea what it means. Air structures can be considered alternate structures to concrete or blocks and bricks traditional buildings. They are actually air supported which may also be described as an air inflated structure. This means the actual fiber or other form of material that encompasses the space is inflated with air from a separate source so that it is pressurized inside so that the internal pressure is equal to or greater than the outside air pressure and this is all determined using formulas to achieve the correct pressures under various atmospheric conditions.

Whenever you are looking at alternate structures you have to be sure that the idea works. Air structures have been used safely around the world for approximately fifty years. The ability to utilize a lightweight fabric such as vinyl as an air supported building depends on the tension cable system which supports the fabric safely. There are various configurations of tension cables that are used depending on the manufacturer who design the specific air supported building. These tension cables allow these buildings to cover two and a half acres or more so this makes a very impressive structure to the casual observer. Also the tension cable configuration depends on the actual structure that is going to be used.

These air supported structures have to withstand wind and in some parts of the country snow loads. In other parts of the country these structures have to withstand high temperatures and continued sun which means they have to be UV coated so they can stay in use without deteriorating in the sun’s rays.

When you are thinking of air supported structures you also have to consider just who is going to do the initial installation of the unit. You can’t just call up any general contractor who erects buildings to put one up for you. When you consider this type of alternate structure you also have to consider the place where it will stand so you will need a general contractor who understands the nuances of this type of structure and its limitations in certain locations. If it is intended as a temporary structure you also have to consider how it will be erected and taken down and its storage also.

Certainly this type of structure just like any alternate structure has certain construction requirements so that it becomes a usable structure. No sense erecting something that in the end can’t be used. So this is where the experienced general contractor comes into play. They have experience in this type of alternate structure so they will understand what use you want to put it to. This may be as a temporary storage facility during harvest season or perhaps as a pool cover for a home pool. So air supported structures can vary in size and shape depending on the use and location. Certainly this is a very usable structure with many different uses by different entities.


Arizon Air Structures is the world's premier manufacturer of Air Structures and Air Domes for sports domes (tennis domes, football domes, soccer domes, football domes, paintball domes) disaster relief shelters, temporary construction domes, storage buildings, fabric buildings, and more.