CLEVELAND, OH – The advanced air-supported
structures supplied by ESI, headquartered here,
offer the kind of flexibility needed for emergency
usage. Prefabricated in one piece, they are easily
installed on site in less than a day – and, they
have no size limit. As a Congregate Care Center,
suggested by SAVED, for use in housing medical,
sanitary, food and storage facilities, they can be
transported easily. An ESI air-supported unit that
will cover three acres can be shipped on a 40’
flat bed trailer.
This air-supported system was originally
developed by Goodyear’s R&D department,
utilizing steel cables set about 4’ apart as
primary load-bearing systems. The film/fabric
between the cables acts as the gas barrier and can
vary from opaque to window clear. Cables are built
into the seam of the cover material, usually in a
double layer with dead air insulating the space
between. This space can be used or eliminated at
will by way of a sill channel that circles the
perimeter of the unit.
To date, no size limitations are set and clear spans
up to 1,000 ft. have been used. Since the unit is
basically modular it can be produced in any length
and cover material ranges from low cost polyethylene
(with a life expectancy of about two years) to
ESI’s exclusive ESI Film, lasting from 10 to 20
years.
A control system regulates pressure inside in
response to wind pressure on the exterior. Automatic
temperature control and ventilation provided by
propeller fans can also be provided. A ventilation
rate as high as a complete air exchange every minute
is feasible.
ESI believes that the air-supported enclosures
should be stockpiled so that they are ready for
immediate shipment to a disaster area, or perhaps,
shipped while natural disasters such as hurricanes
are on their way. The enclosure could be placed on
site as soon as the location is decided and inflated
as soon as it is practical to do so. It may be the
fastest way to provide multi-family or group living
space through modules currently available.
Another potential use unique to the ESI inflatable
is for housing other construction beneath its
covering during inclement weather. In one instance,
in Buffalo, NY a construction crew was two months
behind schedule due to the winter weather. They used
an ESI structure for protection and ended up two
months ahead of schedule when it was removed.
In another instance during winter months, a crew
was prevented from pouring slabs for a project until
they used the inflatable over each slab, one at a
time, until all of them were poured. In a disaster
area, a typical inflatable could cover the area
needed for building four to six units at a time,
offering protection for workers. In practical terms,
says ESI, the larger the size of the inflatable, the
lower the cost per square foot.
For temporary enclosures, an inexpensive woven
poly fiber can be used since steel cables built into
the cover seams take the design loads. The cover can
also be fabricated in a double layer to provide
insulation and can provide shadow free light to the
interior. Each cable is anchored with a screw
anchor, and can be taken down when it is time for
relocating.
Preparing the site requires some effort, but once
done, the cover is spread out and erection only
requires a couple of hours and everything is done
from ground level. Electricity is required for
inflation but the units are sent with a backup
generator and all the controls are automatic.
Because the cover is flexible, it is not necessary
to have a perfectly leveled plane for installation.
Even anchor locations don’t have to be trued. This
allows a larger variety of local areas to be used in
an emergency and installation remains quick and
easy.
And, ideally, a large structure used in temporary
situation can be converted to other uses for
permanent benefit, such as a community center,
recreation center, or other options.
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