Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often will I need to replace the dome?
2. How long does it take to erect/dismantle the dome?
3. Can I keep the dome up all year?
4. What if I have trouble obtaining planning permission?
5. How much electricity will the dome use, and how much will it cost?
6. How often will the light bulbs need to be replaced, and how is this done?
7. What if my existing tennis court dimensions and/or perimeter fence do not match the standard dome dimensions?
8. It will be too costly and disruptive for me to install a concrete ring beam. Is there any alternative sealing solution?
9. Will my dome withstand strong winds, heavy rain and snowfall?
10. Is there any way to reduce the power used during calm days?
11. What happens to the dome during a power cut?
12. Will my dome blow away, or what happens if it is vandalised?
13. What happens to the dome when it is not erected?
14. Is the dome fire retardant?
1. How often will I need to replace the dome?
Because the Sole Sport Structures dome is composed of three layers, you will not have to replace it all at once. The inside PVC layer has a lifespan of over 15 years. The insulating layer will need to be replaced every 5 years. The lifespan of the protective cover layer depends on weather conditions and the amount of time the structure is kept up, but is usually around 2 to 3 years. Our price list includes details of replacement layers, so a sinking fund may be calculated.
2. How long does it take to erect/dismantle the dome?
You should allow one full day for the initial installation process. This is assuming foundations have already been prepared. During the first installation, a Sole Sport Structures engineer will supervise and provide training to the client’s own labourers. 6 labourers are required for a one-court dome. These labourers will then be sufficiently qualified to erect and dismantle the dome themselves, allowing greater flexibility for the client, who will not need to rely on subsequent engineer supervision, making significant savings.
3. Can I keep the dome up all year?
If planning permission allows, our domes can be erected permanently. The obvious difference here is that the lifeline of the individual layers will be reduced, and the dome will need to be dismantled when they need to be replaced. Sole Sport Structures can supply a thicker protective cover layer for year-round domes.
4. What if I have trouble obtaining planning permission?
Sole Sport Structures aims to provide as much assistance as possible throughout the planning process. We can produce virtual drawings and photographs upon request, which may help to convey what the finished project will look like. Planning is much more likely to be granted if the structure will be a seasonal one, i.e. erected for 6 months of the year.
5. How much electricity will the dome use, and how much will it cost?
Figures for the amount of power used by the electric blower unit and lighting system, as well as estimated costs, are available in the downloadable specification pack on this website. The pressure frame sealing system and economic lighting system ensure these costs are kept to a minimum.
6. How often will the light bulbs need to be replaced, and how is this done?
Our light bulbs have a running time of 9000 hours. If the lights are on for 6 hours per day (they are not required during daylight) for 6 months of the year, this will amount to a lifeline of 4 to 5 years. The lighting fixtures are reached by letting enough air out of the dome to bring the cables to the required height.
7. What if my existing tennis court dimensions and/or perimeter fence do not match the standard dome dimensions?
Sole Sport Structures can accommodate specific court restrictions and customer preferences to produce the perfect design proposals. If you are concerned about disruption to your run-back, we can manufacture a dome with steeper walls, all within existing fences.
8. It will be too costly and disruptive for me to install a concrete ring beam. Is there any alternative sealing solution?
Sole Sports Strcutures recommends a pressure frame and ring beam system because it is the most effective means of minimizing running costs in the long term. However if this is not possible, the dome can be sealed with sand bags.
9. Will my dome withstand strong winds, heavy rain and snowfall?
Sole Sports Structures are manufactured in the Czech Republic, where they have been proven to withstand the harsh continental winter. During extreme weather conditions, the vents on the back of the blower unit will automatically close, making the structure more rigid and resisting the effects of extreme weather.
10. Is there any way to reduce the power used during calm days?
Sole Sports Structures fits a frequency converter as standard on all triple skin models. This energy saving device can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% on calm days.
11. What happens to the dome during a power cut?
When the electricity is turned off, the dome begins to deflate slowly, so there will be time for anyone inside the structure to exit safely. Your dome can be fitted with a diesel generator upon request, which allows the dome to continue running during electricity failure.
12. Will my dome blow away, or what happens if it is vandalised?
If a single-skin dome is cut with a sharp object, the power from the blower unit will automatically increase to prevent the structure deflating. However this power increase is costly and the dome will need to be repaired as soon as possible. Tape can be used to patch the hole as a temporary measure, but we recommend a replacement skin be purchased. There have been instances of single skin domes blowing away during installation, and for this reason we recommend that you purchase a replacement skin with your original structure.
Unlike single-skin models, the triple skin dome is much more robust and will not be affected by a tear in the outer layer. We recommend that you purchase a replacement layer in the event of vandalism, to prevent the damage from worsening. Because the triple-skin model is secured by a steel cable net, it is not likely to blow away.
13. What happens to the dome when it is not erected?
When it is deflated, the dome is folded and stored on site. The ideal storage facility would be a shed or steel unit close to the court, which would minimise time and labour required. The storage unit is not included in our rates, but we can supply housing units for both the dome and the control units upon request
14. Is the dome fire retardant?
The main layer of our triple skin models is made of completely fire retardant PVC. There is also the option of a fire retardant insulation layer which is slightly less transparent.