Definitely not! The design, manufacturing methods and materials we use result in fully engineered structures which operate at higher pressures and can span greater distances whilst withstanding the loads associated with extreme weather.
Coupled with sophisticated pressure control systems and the latest side-channel blower technology, our structures represent the cutting edge of portable architecture.
Firstly, the textiles used in the construction of our products are extremely robust and are not easily punctured.
If a structure should be punctured our automatic control systems sense the drop operating pressure and activate the blowers to compensate for the loss of air. This is one of the major advantages of our type of structure. Being virtually air tight, once a structure is inflated there is spare capacity in the inflation system (as very little air is required to maintain pressure). This capacity can be automatically utilised in the event of a puncture to maintain the operating pressure of the structure.
Punctures can be repaired in-situ using the supplied repair kit without having to deflate the structure.
In the event of a prolonged power cut, our structures will maintain their structural integrity for a significant period of time. This time varies from structure to structure but is always more than sufficient to provide time to investigate the cause of the power loss and to organise evacuation if it is deemed that the power supply cannot be restored.
If prolonged power cuts are a concern then a small backup generator is all that is required to operate the inflation systems.
As a minimum, our structures are designed to operate in wind speeds of up to 56mph (25m/s, 90km/h). It is sometimes claimed that other inflatable structures can operate in these wind speeds but only with the addition of optional equipment such as trussing or extra inflatable sections. Our structures operate in these wind speeds as standard without the need for additional equipment.
If higher wind speed ratings are required then custom structures can be designed to achieve this.
The textiles used in our structures have exceptional longevity and are designed for long term indoor and outdoor architectural applications. The life span of a structure depends upon the specific application but a permanent outdoor structure can last typically for 10 to 20 years or even longer, whereas a portable structure undergoing repeated packing and transportation will last around 5 to 10 years, or more.
As with any product, the life span of a structure will also depend upon how it is treated. If simple instructions for maintenance and operation are followed then a structure will last far longer than one which has been mistreated.
We use premium grade, fire-retardant architectural textiles in all our structures. We typically use Précontraint Serge Ferrari composite textiles which are widely regarded as the best in the industry.
These textiles are manufactured from a high-tenacity polyester micro-yarn base cloth which is coated with a high-performance polymer surface layer whilst the warp and weft fibres are tensioned.
This results in a textile with exceptional dimensional stability, long-term strength and a greater coating thickness which in turn provides greater protection of the base cloth and superior abrasion resistance.
The textiles are available in a wide variety of colours, weights and strengths and with a range of light-transmission values from translucent through to completely opaque.
Yes. We have our own large format printing equipment and we can print directly onto the panels which make up our structures. Our team are experts in the manipulation of artwork for printing onto 3-dimensional surfaces and we have developed our own software for this purpose.
Printing directly on to the structures is performed during manufacture, prior to cutting the panels, whilst the textiles are in roll form.
Yes, banners can be attached to our structures. We can print them for you or we can supply templates if you prefer to use your own printers. We can tailor banners to follow the contours of a structure to ensure a good fit and can provide attachment points as required.
Some of our structures, such as domes, can be fitted with detachable inflatable skins which provide smooth surfaces for projection or printing. These can be fitted on the inside or outside of certain structures.
The best method for anchoring a structure will depend upon the type of surface on which it is installed and customer preference.
For hard standings such as concrete, expanding anchor bolts can be used which are connected to load points on a structure via adjustable ratchet straps.
On grass, screwed ground anchors can be used which can be removed and re-used.
For installations on surfaces which cannot be penetrated then ballast (sometimes referred to as kentledge) can be used. This can be in the form of water-filled ballast tanks, concrete blocks or any other suitable ballast with sufficient weight and strength.
We can even design custom solutions for your application such as the concrete ‘shoes’ used on the Dreamforce structures. Click here for details.
Our structures provide the perfect canvas for the creation of stunning lighting schemes, from simple, functional lighting to sophisticated lighting systems and digital projection.
For simple illumination we can provide fixing points for the attachment of you own lighting fixtures or we can include these in our supply. For complex lighting schemes for events/shows we recommend working with lighting specialists. We are always happy to work with such experts on the design and integration of lighting systems.
Our structures have the distinct advantage of offering a natural level of insulation thanks to the air contained within their walls/roofs. This makes heating them straightforward and also helps to keep them cool in hot weather.
There are many types of portable heating/air conditioning available and we can provide flexible ductwork, if required, for the distribution of warm/cool air.
We can also supply structures with additional insulation contained within the walls/roofs making them ideal for year-round operation in a wide range of climates. In fact, we are the first inflatable manufacturer to offer structures which can comply with the requirements for thermal performance in codes such as the UK Building Regulations and the International Energy Conservation Code 2012 (IECC 2012).
The thermal performance we can achieve with our insulated structures is such that they are used as portable cold stores. We can even provide levels of insulation which make our structures suitable for frozen storage applications.
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