Air dome buying process – I have walked clients through these 7 stages over 50 times and the smooth projects all had one thing in common: preparation.
Buying an air dome is not like ordering equipment from a catalogue. It is a bespoke construction project with engineering, permitting, manufacturing, and civil works components.
Overview: the seven stages
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial enquiry and brief | Define your requirements | 1–2 weeks |
| 2. Feasibility and design | Sizing, specification, initial cost plan | 2–4 weeks |
| 3. Commercial and contract | Formal quotation, supplier selection, contract | 2–6 weeks |
| 4. Permitting | Planning permission, structural approval | 4–20 weeks |
| 5. Manufacturing | Membrane fabrication, mechanical components | 8–16 weeks |
| 6. Site preparation | Foundation, utilities, access | 2–6 weeks |
| 7. Installation and commissioning | Inflation, testing, handover | 1–3 weeks |
| Total from first call to first use | 5–10 months |
Stage 1: Initial enquiry and brief
Your brief should include site information, operational requirements (sport, seasonal or permanent, user numbers), commercial context (budget, land tenure, target opening date), and planning context.
Red flag: any supplier who sends a price within 48 hours without asking about your site, soil conditions, local wind/snow loads, or planning context.
Stage 2: Feasibility and design
At this stage the supplier develops structural design brief, mechanical design brief, and lighting design. This produces drawings, specification schedule, and an outline cost plan broken down by element.
Stage 3: Commercial and contract
Obtain a minimum of 2–3 quotes. Ensure quotes are comparable on membrane material, foundation type, HVAC specification, lighting, warranty terms, and engineering certification.
Key contract terms: – Payment schedule: 30–40% deposit, 30–40% on manufacturing completion, balance on installation completion. – Delivery timeline with milestone dates. – Warranty: membrane (minimum 10 years), structure (minimum 5 years), mechanical (minimum 2 years).
Stage 4: Permitting
UK: seasonal domes on existing sports facilities may be permitted development. Permanent domes require full planning permission (typically 13–26 weeks).
US: requirements vary by state and municipality. Many jurisdictions have a streamlined permit for temporary structures. Permanent structures require building permit, zoning approval, ADA compliance.
Stage 5: Manufacturing (8–16 weeks)
Process includes detailed structural calculations, CNC membrane fabrication, component manufacture, factory inspection, and shipping (1–2 weeks from Europe; 4–8 weeks from Asia by sea).
Stage 6: Site preparation (2–6 weeks)
- Ring beam (permanent dome): typically 2–4 weeks.
- Ground anchor installation (seasonal dome): typically 3–5 days.
- Three-phase power supply: allow 4–12 weeks to coordinate with network operator in UK.
Stage 7: Installation and commissioning
Typical sequence: delivery and check → airlock assembly and membrane layout → attachment to anchors → blower connection → inflation (4–24 hours) → internal rigging → commissioning checks.
Handover documentation must include: structural engineer’s completion certificate, blower performance records, lighting commissioning report, HVAC records, emergency procedures, maintenance schedule, spare parts inventory.
HeroX AirDomes manages the complete process — from initial feasibility through engineering, permitting, manufacturing, and installation.