Does an air dome need constant power?

Yes. Air-supported structures are held up by internal pressure from blowers that run continuously, with standby power for blower or mains failure.

What happens to an air dome in a power cut?

It stays up while residual pressure lasts, then deflates. Operators size backup power to cover this; the risk is managed rather than absent.

Is an air wall structure more expensive?

Per square metre at large spans, yes, and the gap widens with span. The comparison changes once continuous power, backup and airlocks are priced in.

Can an air wall structure span the same distances?

Span capability depends on verified structural data. We do not quote spans without that data — see the note on our technology page.

LARGE SPAN · THE COMPARISON THAT DECIDES THE QUOTE

Air dome vs air wall

If you have a quote for an inflatable sports hall, it is almost certainly an air-supported dome. That is a different product from what we build, and the price difference is real.

Short answer

An air-supported dome holds up the entire membrane with internal air pressure from continuously running blowers. Occupants pass through an airlock, and if the blowers stop for long enough the roof comes down. An air-wall structure inflates its walls into rigid panels; blowers run only during erection. The dome is cheaper per square metre. The air-wall structure does not depend on uninterrupted power and does not need an airlock.

Side by side

Side by side
	Air wall (drop-stitch)	Air dome (air-supported)
What holds it up	Rigid inflated wall panels	Internal air pressure against the whole membrane
Blowers	During erection only	Running continuously, with backup
Entry	Normal door	Airlock or revolving door
Power failure	Stands	Deflates once pressure is lost
Doors open to outside	Yes	Restricted — pressure must be maintained
Running cost	Low	Continuous blower and backup power
Cost per m² at large span	Higher	Lower
Typical use	Working buildings, defence, medical, mobile	Sports halls, seasonal covers, storage

Why the quotes look so different

An air dome is a single membrane skin plus a mechanical system. An air-wall building is a structure made of inflated panels. Per square metre of floor, the dome uses far less material, which is why it wins on capital cost at large spans and why most inflatable sports halls in the market are domes.

If a client compares our number against a dome quote without knowing they are different products, we lose the conversation for the wrong reason. This page exists to prevent that.

What the dome costs you afterwards

Continuous blower operation, standby power for blower failure, and an airlock at every entrance. For a sports hall run daily on grid power this is entirely manageable and thousands of them operate this way. For a field site with generator power, a defence application, or anything where doors need to stand open, it is a different calculation.

We are not arguing that domes are bad. We are arguing that they answer a different question.

Where air wall is genuinely worth the premium

Sites without reliable power. Buildings that must keep working when the generator stops. Applications where large doors stay open — vehicle maintenance, aircraft, loading. Anything that redeploys frequently, because an air-wall unit packs and erects without the mechanical plant a dome requires.

Which one fits your project

Choose air wall when

Power is unreliable or generator-based
Doors need to stand open during operation
The building relocates
Structural failure has consequences beyond the building

Choose an air dome when

Span is large and the site is fixed
Grid power is reliable and backup is straightforward
Lowest cost per m² is the decision criterion
An airlock entry is acceptable to users

Common questions

Does an air dome need constant power?: Yes. Air-supported structures are held up by internal pressure from blowers that run continuously, with standby power for blower or mains failure.
What happens to an air dome in a power cut?: It stays up while residual pressure lasts, then deflates. Operators size backup power to cover this; the risk is managed rather than absent.
Is an air wall structure more expensive?: Per square metre at large spans, yes, and the gap widens with span. The comparison changes once continuous power, backup and airlocks are priced in.
Can an air wall structure span the same distances?: Span capability depends on verified structural data. We do not quote spans without that data — see the note on our technology page.

Page updated 2026-08-28

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Which construction suits which span, power situation and operating pattern. Sent as a PDF, no price list.

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