The air domes provide a quick and comfortable solution to winterise sports grounds and swimming pools. Available in different designs with various accessories in compliance with the area of use, on the basis of standard and custom plans.

Graboplan air tents are primarily used to cover sports fields in the winter, ensuring maximum year-round use of the fields. They are an excellent solution in areas where it is more practical to use outdoor fields during the spring and summer, but covering the field ensures that sports can still be played in the winter, so even unfavorable weather does not affect field use. The exceptionally high, bright interior is suitable for any ball game, as the column-free interior provides an experience comparable to that of an outdoor field. This inflatable tent structure can be built in any size, ranging from small tents to those the size of a soccer field.

These structures are ideal for indoor activities where a large, bright, column-free space offers a significant advantage over other covered facilities.

Using the Graboplan air-supported structure is expected to result in a significant reduction in energy costs:

• thanks to the structure’s quilted design and internal insulating shell, heat loss through the canopy is significantly reduced;
• due to the way the tent is secured, air leakage is minimal;
• thanks to the high light transmittance and the “greenhouse effect” created by the incoming light, the need for daytime lighting is reduced

Graboplan delivers its air-supported structures with all necessary accessories, including the air handling system, the auxiliary emergency generator, entrances, and emergency exits. The air tents are always custom-made to fit the dimensions of the field and the customer’s requirements; accessories and add-ons are available as options.

ADVANTAGES OF AIR-SUPPORTED TENTS

• The operating season of sports fields can be extended with air tent coverage
• Quick to set up and take down; easy to operate
• Heating costs can be reduced by 30% due to excellent thermal insulation
• Can be operated with gas, water, electric, or oil-fired air handling units
• Suitable for all ball sports thanks to the high, bright interior
• No echo effect
• Pleasant, comfortable indoor environment

BASIC MATERIALS

High-strength, PE-based technical tarpaulin coated on both sides with PVC, featuring UV-resistant additives and a stain-resistant varnish layer, with cold and heat resistance ranging from -30°C to +70°C. They are typically manufactured in white, but for tennis courts, it is more practical to use blue or green behind the service box and behind the nets. The expected service life of the canopy is 15 years.

AIR TENT TYPES

• Traditional air-supported tent
• Wire-cable air-supported tent

FASTENING

The tent is fastened to a pre-constructed concrete foundation. Installing an air tent is relatively simple and quick. The shell structure is typically secured to the concrete foundation using L-shaped steel profiles fastened with steel hooks. This specialized anchoring method results in minimal air leakage within the structure, thereby saving on heating costs compared to other air-supported structure anchoring solutions.

ENTRANCES

PASSENGER ENTRANCES

Traditional airlocks are most commonly installed as entrances, where entry into and exit from the tent occur through a door with an airlock length of 1.5–2 m; however, access can also be provided through a revolving door, which operates on the same airlock principle.

SERVICE ENTRANCES

For larger tents, the installation of service entrances and gates may be necessary to facilitate logistical operations. A cargo gate—which also operates on the airlock principle—is suitable for access by loading equipment and trucks.

EMERGENCY EXITS

The location and number of emergency exits are determined in accordance with disaster management regulations governing the evacuation of the structure. An emergency exit can be made of tarpaulin, which can be easily cut open with a knife in case of danger, or it can be made of steel. In the case of a steel emergency exit, a panic lock ensures that the exit can be opened easily and quickly.

AIR HANDLING SYSTEM

The air handling unit, which provides heating and ventilation, includes the main operating fan, emergency fan, and power unit required for the system’s operation, as well as the power transmission and control components, along with a control panel. The system can be operated in manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic control modes. Energy consumption can be further reduced by recirculating a portion of the warm air. Airflow occurs through air ducts; we recommend installing them beneath the track level.

Energy sources: natural gas, diesel, hot water, electricity

The air handling unit’s capacity and energy consumption vary depending on the size of the tent and the desired temperature inside the space.

COMMISSIONING

Commissioning is carried out under the supervision of our specialists, but the connection to the energy source and the necessary permits are the responsibility of the facility operator. After the tent is commissioned, we provide training for the technicians supervising the tent in accordance with the instructions in the operating manual.

OPTIONAL FEATURES

ADVERTISING PAINTING

Any text or image can be painted onto the shell structure.

LIGHTING

Only electricity may be used for lighting in the tarpaulin-structured building. The lighting fixtures are designed so that they can be switched off either centrally or in sections.

The most common options are LED fixtures and high-bay lights, which are energy-efficient, resulting in low operating costs; they generate minimal heat during operation and have a long service life. Thanks to the mounting brackets, they can be easily attached to the shell structure, and their IP rating is appropriate for the structure’s function (warehouse, sports, or swimming pool tent). The facility is also equipped with safety and directional lighting. The directional lighting consists of continuously operating light fixtures with their own batteries, providing 30 minutes of backup power. The safety lighting also operates on its own battery-powered system.

CLASSIFICATION BY FUNCTION

INFLATABLE STORAGE TENT

Graboplan inflatable tents offer a quick solution for storage and can be used for virtually any purpose, whether on a permanent or temporary basis.

With their help, you can quickly and efficiently increase your storage capacity.

With its open, unobstructed interior and versatile layout options, the tent is perfectly suited for a variety of storage needs.

These structures are ideal for indoor activities where a tall, spacious, well-lit area free of support columns offers a significant advantage over other covered facilities.

SPORTS TENT

Graboplan air tents provide year-round opportunities for indoor sports in favorable weather conditions, even when wind, cold, and snow outside might hinder athletic activities. With its open, unobstructed interior space offering a variety of layout options, the tent is perfectly suited for a wide range of uses. Among the many possibilities, tennis, soccer, basketball, field hockey, badminton, and many other sports can be played inside the tent.

These structures are ideal for indoor activities where the large, bright, column-free space offers a significant advantage over other indoor venues.

In addition to allowing outdoor sports to continue inside the tent even during the winter months, the tent structure offers further benefits in terms of cost savings, natural lighting, and reduced setup time.

SERVICES

When selling air tents, Graboplan provides the following services:

CONSULTING AND ASSISTANCE WITH DESIGN

Based on the advice of our experienced engineers and manufacturing specialists, the requirements related to the air tent and its associated equipment must be taken into account as early as the preliminary design and preparation phase of the tent’s supporting structure: tent anchoring, concrete foundation requirements, electrical and power installations, meteorological and other loads, and structural data. We account for the tensile forces acting on the concrete foundation—resulting from the tent’s shell structure—in the design of the concrete foundation.

PREPARING A BUDGET

After finalizing the tent type, anchoring method, structural analysis, and related equipment and accessories, a detailed budget can be prepared, which includes the costs of tent design, manufacturing, and on-site installation. To calculate the costs of the tent’s supporting structure, we provide structural data that can be used to determine the required concrete strength, concrete volume, and other geotechnical requirements.

PROVISION OF DATA FOR THE PERMIT PROCESS

We prepare drawings, structural data, and preliminary designs for the building permit application documentation (if required) in accordance with the agreement.

PREPARATION OF MANUFACTURING DRAWINGS

The shell structure and the steel fastening elements are manufactured based on approved drawings. Production drawings are prepared for the roof structure, the layer configurations, the lighting layout, and the placement of the air handling units and entrances/exits; production begins after these drawings are approved by the customer.

MANUFACTURING

Technology and manufacturing capacity tailored to the project’s size and technical requirements, utilizing state-of-the-art machinery: CAD/CAM computer-controlled plotters, high-frequency welding machines (for PVC, PE, and PU-coated materials), ironing machines (for PTFE, silicone-coated, and Tenara materials), and film welding machines (for ETFE film). Both the frame structure and the canopy are manufactured within a programmed production framework using computer-controlled and high-frequency machines, based on approved designs.

DELIVERY

Air tents and their equipment can be transported by road via truck.

ON-SITE ASSEMBLY

Our assembly consultants, with 20 years of experience, assist with on-site logistics and assembly tasks and provide training for the professionals who will operate the tent.

PREPARATION OF HANDOVER DOCUMENTATION

Compilation of as-built drawings, specifications for installed materials, technical data sheets, and declarations of performance, supplemented by the product’s Operation and Maintenance Manual.