Adrien Ross, Ing
Dome Installation: Key Steps for Your Permodome Project
The installation of a dome is the moment when your building project takes concrete shape on the ground. After planning, foundation selection, issuance of plans for construction, manufacturing, delivery, and site preparation, the various components of your fabric-covered steel building can be assembled and installed.
From site preparation to the assembly of the steel structure and the installation of the membrane, several steps are necessary to bring your Permodome building to life. Understanding how a dome installation unfolds helps you better prepare your site and know what to expect when our team arrives on the ground.
How to Prepare Your Site Before Installation
An efficient installation starts long before the team arrives on the job site. The site must first be prepared to accommodate the building and its foundation.
The required preparation varies depending on the dimensions of the dome, its intended use, the chosen foundation type, and the terrain characteristics. Access to the job site must also allow the team and necessary equipment to reach the installation area properly.
Good advance planning thus helps create the necessary conditions for the installation to run smoothly and facilitates the work once the team is on site.
Key Steps of a Permodome Installation
1.Site Preparation and Receiving Shipments
Before the Permodome team arrives, the customer must ensure that the terrain is adequately prepared and ready to receive the building. If the construction of the foundations is the customer’s responsibility, they must be completed before installation begins. Access to the installation area must also be clear to allow movement of the equipment required for the work and to temporarily store the dome parts near its final installation location. This preparation is an essential step to allow the Permodome team to start assembling and installing the dome as soon as they arrive on site.
2. Ground Assembly and Arch Lifting
Installation continues with the ground assembly of the various components that will form the dome’s arches. The arches are then lifted using hoisting equipment, then progressively positioned to form the main structure. As the arches are installed, the characteristic shape of the Permodome building takes place on the ground.
3. Installation of Roof and Wall Structural Components
The arches are connected to each other using the various structural components specified in the dome’s design. Next, the wall posts are set up to complete the endwalls, as needed, and according to the configuration selected by the customer. This step completes the building framework and results in a uniform structure ready to receive its flexible membrane. Necessary adjustments are also made to properly prepare the structure for the installation of its outer envelope.
4.Membrane Installation and Tensioning
Once the steel structure is complete comes one of the most important steps: the installation of the cover. The membrane is positioned on the structure, then tensioned and secured according to the system designed for the building. Proper tensioning is essential to the cover’s durability. The steel structure then becomes a covered space that can serve many applications, including storage for machinery, materials, or for various agricultural, commercial, and industrial needs, or any other requirements.
5. Finishing Touches and Quality Check
The final steps of the installation vary according to the configuration and components chosen for the building. The team completes the elements planned for the project and performs the necessary checks before concluding work on site. The building can then begin to be used.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Dome?
The time required to complete the installation of a dome can vary from one project to another. The building dimensions, dome model, foundation type, site characteristics, job site access, as well as the building configuration and components can all influence how the installation proceeds. Therefore, there is no single timeframe applicable to all projects. Instead, each Permodome installation must be planned according to the specific characteristics of the building and its environment. However, average lead times between contract signing and dome delivery are generally between 6 and 8 weeks.
What Elements Can Influence the Installation of a Fabric Building?
Every project presents a different reality on the ground. Several elements must therefore be considered when planning the installation :
building dimensions and dome model;
intended use of the building;
foundation type;
location;
terrain characteristics and preparation;
job site accessibility;
building configuration;
applicable structural requirements.
Taking these elements into consideration from the project planning stage allows for better site preparation prior to the arrival of the installation team.
From Planning to Installation: Permodome Support
At Permodome, every project is planned according to its use, dimensions, location, and site-specific conditions. Our team guides you through the planning of your fabric-covered steel building project and informs you of the items to anticipate before installation begins. The solutions selected for the building and its foundation are determined based on the characteristics and requirements specific to the project in order to achieve a durable structure tailored to its use. From planning all the way to installation on site, the objective remains the same: to develop a functional, durable building adapted to your operations.
Ready to See Your Permodome Take Shape?
Are you planning a new building for storage, agriculture, or your commercial or industrial operations? Our team can guide you in choosing and planning a Permodome solution tailored to your needs, your terrain, and your project.
Talk to a Permodome representative today and start planning your next building.
