| Membrane construction | Confirm the membrane is a coated architectural fabric, commonly woven polyester with a PVDF-based surface coating. Check fabric weight, tensile and tear properties, coating details, seam construction, and compatibility with the intended exposure. | Project-specific material data sheets and test reports identifying the tested fabric, test method, direction of loading, and results. Ask how seams and field repairs are addressed. | Compare tested properties and warranties on the same basis. Do not treat “PVDF” alone as a complete membrane specification. |
| Structural design | Review the dome geometry, cable or reinforcement layout, anchorage, edge details, openings, and the interaction between membrane tension and internal air pressure. | Sealed, project-specific calculations and drawings prepared by a qualified structural engineer; include load combinations, support reactions, connection details, and assumptions. | Require calculations for the actual site, dimensions, use, and openings—not only a standard or previous-project design. |
| Wind loads | Wind demand depends on location, exposure, building geometry, height, surrounding terrain, and applicable code parameters. Check pressure zones, uplift, lateral forces, and anchorage. | Site-specific wind-load basis and structural calculations. In the United States, confirm the applicable edition of ASCE/SEI 7 as adopted by the local jurisdiction. | Do not select a dome using a generic wind-speed claim without confirming the code basis, site conditions, and design pressures. |
| Snow and ice | Evaluate local ground snow load and the effects of roof shape, drifting, unbalanced snow, rain-on-snow where applicable, and ice accumulation. Account for the dome’s operating and deflation conditions. | Project-specific snow-load calculations, operating procedures for severe weather, and written criteria for snow monitoring and response. | Snow capacity is site- and design-specific. Confirm how the design addresses unusual accumulation and what actions the operator must take. |
| Internal pressure and air systems | Check the engineered operating-pressure range, control set points, pressure monitoring, backup power, redundancy, and response to a blower or power failure. | Air-system design documents, control sequence, alarm description, backup-power details, and commissioning and maintenance procedures. | Require documented performance for normal operation and credible failure scenarios. Pressure settings should be established by the project’s engineering design. |
| Emergency egress | Review exit number, location, width, hardware, travel distances, emergency lighting, accessible routes, and the effect of pressure loss on doors and evacuation. | Life-safety plans and review by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), with evacuation and emergency-operation procedures. | Confirm that occupants can exit safely during both normal operation and the emergency conditions identified in the approved design. |
| Fire and life safety | Check the required membrane fire-test classification, interior finishes, fire detection and alarm provisions, and any required suppression or fire-service access. | Test reports for the specified membrane assembly and written confirmation of the applicable local fire-code requirements. In the United States, NFPA 701 may be relevant to certain textile materials, but applicability depends on the code and use. | Do not assume one fabric fire test satisfies every building or fire code. Obtain acceptance from the AHJ for the proposed assembly and occupancy. |
| Building-code compliance | Identify the adopted building-code edition, occupancy classification, permits, structural provisions for air-supported structures, fire requirements, accessibility, and local amendments. | Code analysis and permit documents prepared for the project. In the United States, the adopted International Building Code may include provisions for membrane structures; the locally adopted edition and amendments govern. | Confirm requirements with the AHJ before final design or purchase. Code adoption and approval requirements vary by jurisdiction. |
| Anchorage and foundations | Check soil conditions, foundation design, anchor layout, edge restraints, corrosion exposure, drainage, and the load path from membrane to ground. | Geotechnical information where required, foundation and anchorage calculations, connection drawings, and inspection requirements. | Verify that the complete load path is designed for the project loads; membrane calculations alone are not sufficient. |
| Operations and maintenance | Assess inspection frequency, membrane cleaning and repair, air-system servicing, sensor calibration, spare parts, staff training, and severe-weather procedures. | Operations and maintenance manual, inspection checklist, repair instructions, training plan, and commissioning records. | Choose a design that the owner can inspect and maintain reliably throughout its intended service life. |
| Final project review | Compare the complete engineered scope, exclusions, design criteria, approval status, maintenance needs, and lifecycle responsibilities. | Coordinated drawings, calculations, material documentation, code review comments, commissioning plan, and a written list of assumptions and exclusions. | Proceed only after site-specific engineering and required authority reviews are complete. |
