| 1.0 |
Introduction
This guideline will provide information for the proper construction of an air supported structure for indoor tennis relative to the size, fabric selection, stress relief systems, liners, heating systems, inflation systems, standby power systems, anchorage systems, pressurization control, insulation systems, doors and accessories, operation and maintenance, and lighting systems.
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| 2.0 |
Purpose
A well-constructed air structure facility can provide a seasonal or permanent enclosure. The purpose of these Guidelines is to assist the owner/operator in constructing a facility that serves the needs of the tennis players as well as being efficient to own and/or operate.
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| 3.0 |
Size
| A. |
Dimensions given for an air structure should be from center of anchorage to center of anchorage. Dimensions should include the overall width, length and height of the structure. It is important to note that the dimension 5' above the floor can vary significantly depending upon how each structure is patterned. In the sport of tennis, interior playing area is very important and this should be discussed in detail with the vendor.
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| B. |
Dimensions can be modified from a single court size or any multiple of courts. Multiple courts inside one bubble require careful planning to ensure a safe and proper playing environment. Access to and from the courts needs to be considered in the beginning stages of design.
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| C. |
The distance from the wall adjacent to the nearest court should be a minimum of 12' and there should be a minimum of 18' between the courts. The distance behind the baseline should be a minimum of 18' in the clear or to a walkway or exterior wall, although a distance of 21' is preferred.
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| D. |
The height of the structure should be a minimum of 21' over the baseline, 35' minimum, 38' recommended over the net and care should be taken to ensure the maximum height over the alleys adjacent to the end walls.
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| 4.0 |
Fabric Selection
| A. |
The fabric should be a high strength vinyl coated polyester material that exhibits long life, strength, stability and resistance to ultraviolet ray degradation.
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| B. |
All fabric used should meet the tensile strength, tear strength and other design criteria approved by the engineer for the project.
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| C. |
The most commonly used fabrics are approximately 28 oz. per square yard and have tensile strengths of 300-600 lb./in.
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| D. |
Translucent fabrics allow natural light to enter the structure. A translucent outer fabric needs to be combined with a translucent inner fabric to accomplish natural lighting of the facility. It is not unusual for tennis players to request the be turned on during the winter months due to the inconsistency of natural lighting. Translucent fabrics can also allow some solar gain that can be a benefit in the heating season, but can be almost impossible to ventilate in the spring/fall seasons in most regions.
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| E. |
Opaque fabrics provide the most consistent lighting results and temperature control is more consistent in all seasons.
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| F. |
The fabric utilized should be electronically welded at the structural seams and must be capable of developing the full strip tensile design load. Each seam should be capable of passing a 'dead load seam strength test' of not less than four hours duration with no visible failure or slippage when subjected to a continuous load of 200% of the maximum calculated design load at 700 F and 100% of the maximum calculated design load at 1600 F.
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| 5.0 |
Stress Relief Systems
| A. |
There is a variety of systems available to decrease the stress on the fabric. These systems can provide enhanced structural integrity and may allow for the use of lighter weight fabrics.
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| B. |
The stress relief system (cables or webbing) will indent the structural fabric and transfer the loads that would normally be carried by the fabric alone, therefore relieving some of the accumulated stress on the fabric.
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| C. |
Fabric used in a stress-relieved structure should have a safety factor of six times the calculated design stress.
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| D. |
Special consideration should be given to the patterning and shape of a stress relieved structure. The stress relief members should be secured directly to the anchoring system.
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| E. |
Stress relieved structures do not reduce the need for quality field seams and junctions.
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| 6.0 |
Liners
| A. |
An interior liner fabric should be a minimum of 12 oz. for durability and should provide additional insulation value. The fabric chosen will affect the heating and cooling costs.
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| B. |
The liner should be a contrasting color (usually green or blue) to a height of approximately 12' to provide a visual backdrop for the sport of tennis. The remainder of the liner is generally white to maximize lighting.
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| C. |
The method of attachment for the liner and the patterning of the liner should be called for in the specifications as it will affect the aesthetics of the finished structure.
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| 7.0 |
Heating Systems
| A. |
The heating system should be sized after accounting for the cfm loss of the structure and all related accessories, the U-value of the fabrics selected, the area of the fabrics selected, the area of the fabric enclosure, the desired design temperature, and any losses related to delivering the heated air into the structure.
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| B. |
The system should allow for thermostatic controls and recirculation of heated air from within the structure.
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| C. |
The system should introduce the heated air either between the courts or at the netline to minimize interference with the sport of tennis.
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| 8.0 |
Inflation Systems
| A. |
The purpose of the inflation system is to pressurize the structural fabric, to define the shape of the structure and to enable it to withstand the wind conditions as it was designed.
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| B. |
The structure should be equipped with no less than two blower systems, with each one having the capacity to maintain the appropriate inflation pressure.
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| C. |
The secondary blower system should be designed to start and operate automatically in the event of loss of pressure or loss of power to the primary blower.
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| D. |
Each blower system should have back draft dampers to minimize air leakage when that unit is not functioning.
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| E. |
Each blower system should be non-overloading to prevent excessive pressure within the structure.
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| F. |
For appropriate sizing of the blower systems, calculations should include all potential air leakages including but not limited to the anchorage system, access openings, accessory equipment, venting, sectionizing seams.
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| 9.0 |
Standby Power Systems
| A. |
The auxiliary power system should have its own independent supply of power to operate separate from the primary inflation system.
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| B. |
The system should operate the primary inflation system blowers or a supplementary blower connected to the standby power system.
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| C. |
The system should start and operate automatically to ensure uninterrupted inflation pressure.
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| D. |
The system should operate for a minimum of 24 hours upon starting.
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| 10.0 |
Anchorage Systems
| A. |
The anchorage system should be designed to withstand all existing soil conditions and uplift forces created when the structure is inflated, as well as aerodynamic wind pressures.
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| B. |
The loading for the anchorage systems should be designed in accordance with the size, height, building codes, anchor spacings and should be submitted by an architect and/or engineer licensed in the state of the project.
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| C. |
Anchorage design should provide for simple and easy set-up and dismantling if the structure is to be used on a seasonal basis.
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| 11.0 |
Insulation Systems
| A. |
The insulation system utilized should be able to withstand exposure to moisture and abuse from tennis balls without damage.
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| B. |
The insulation system must either be easily removed for seasonal structures, or may be permanently installed for fixed structures.
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| 12.0 |
Doors and Accessories
| A. |
The number and location of entry and exit doors should be consistent with local codes and standards with the following Guidelines:
| 1. |
Revolving doors should be used for frequent access.
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| 2. |
Emergency exit doors should only be used for emergency exit and must be self-closing to a positive latch, accounting for the internal inflation pressure.
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| 3. |
Personnel air locks should be used for medium traffic.
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| 4. |
Exit doors should be minimum 34" wide and equipped with panic hardware.
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| B. |
Structural loads around doors and accessories should be evenly distributed to the anchorage system.
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| C. |
There should be adequate slack in the fabric to allow for structure movement against any rigid attachment to the structure.
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| D. |
Accessory items that may/may not be included are windows, walkway tunnels or canopies, smoke detectors, alarm systems, remote control panels, magnetic sensors and snow detectors.
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| 13.0 |
Installation
| A. |
Site preparation should include all mechanical and electric hookups as well as preparing the site for the tennis courts and receiving the anchorage system.
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| B. |
Anchorage system must be completely installed and field verified prior to accepting the loads of the air structure.
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| C. |
Mechanical equipment must be completely installed and field verified as to proper working condition prior to installation of the air structure.
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| D. |
Doors and accessories must be completely installed and in proper working condition prior to installation of the air structure.
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| E. |
Fabric envelope should be delivered on pallets, placed appropriately, rolled out into position, and field sections must be completed prior to installation.
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| F. |
Visual inspection should be made of all connections to doors, accessories, sectionalizing, and anchorage systems prior to inflation.
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| G. |
All blowers should be switched on, a second and third visual inspection as indicated in (F) above should be made when the structure is at .25 and .5 inches water column pressure.
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| H. |
After one hour of continuous operation, a final check of all components of the structure should be made prior to turning the automatic controls on.
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| I. |
Punch list items should be reviewed and agreed to at this time.
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| 14.0 |
Operation and Maintenance
| A. |
Owner and/or operator should check the following items monthly when the structure is in use:
1. Anchorage system secure at all points.
2. Concrete and/or ground conditions show no deterioration.
3. Inflation pressure is proper (should be verified daily).
4. No excessive air leakage around base or accessory attachments.
5. No holes, tears or damage to the structural fabric.
6. Sectionalizing seams show no damage or weakness.
7. Access equipment is firmly attached and level at base.
8. All doors are in proper working condition.
9. Fabric is not overstressed at any connections.
10. Emergency power system is in proper working condition.
11. Fuel level and/or batteries are in proper working condition.
12. Nothing is closer than 3 ft. to the structural fabric.
13. Blower intakes are clean and free of debris.
14. Blower motors, belts, bearings are properly lubricated and in good working conditions.
15. Repair kit, instructions and snow rope are readily available.
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| B. |
Owner and/or operator should review the checklist again whenever there is a forecast of inclement weather that may pose a threat to the integrity of the structure.
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| 15.0 |
Lighting Systems
| A. |
For more complete information regarding lighting, refer to the Guidelines for lighting indoor tennis courts available from the United States Tennis Court & Track Builders Association.
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| B. |
Light levels should provide for initial readings in the range of 75-150 footcandles metered within the playing lines per tennis Guidelines.
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| C. |
Lighting variance from average to minimum and average to maximum should be less than 20%.
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| D. |
Light fixtures utilized should minimize glare.
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| E. |
Light fixtures utilized should be easy to clean, relamp and maintain.
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| F. |
Light fixtures should be strong enough to support the weight of the fabric and snow if the structure comes down in a storm.
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| G. |
Light fixtures should be designed to minimize damage due to condensation that may form within the structure.
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| H. |
Ballasts for the light fixtures should be remote mounted outside of the air structure or placed in a location that poses no hazard to a tennis player.
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| I. |
Lamps used should provide high efficiency per watt used to maximize lighting results relative to operating costs.
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| J. |
Light fixtures should be U.L. approved for damp locations.
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| Note: Refer to Guidelines for: |
I.A.
II.A.
II.B.
II.D.1.
II.D.2.
II.F.1. |
General Conditions for Construction
Tennis Court Orientation
Tennis Court Dimensions and Related Measurements
Fast Dry Tennis Courts for Use with Above Surface Irrigation
Fast Dry Tennis Courts for Use with Subsurface Irrigation
Above Surface Irrigations Systems for Clay and Fast Dry Tennis Courts |
