Air Supported Buildings

[Cullenloon]

Morning all

Can anyone offer assistance on where to locate any specific fire safety documents/guidance relating to air supported/inflatable buildings?

The main consideration is for the gymnasium/training type of structure.

It may be there is no specific guidance, apart from the normal manufactureres recommendations, but I thought I would ask.

I am aware of the BS for inflatable play equipment, BS EN 14960.

Many thanks in advance for any information!

[John Webb]

Work was done by the Fire Research Station in the early 1970s. The only public information I can find was Information Sheet IS 16/73 'Air-supported structures'. I was not directly involved but would expect the conclusions to have ended up either as a Home Office guide issued to the fire brigades or, more likely, as part of a BS (5588?) or AD 'B'?.

Unfortunately neither Read & Morris's 'Aspects of Fire Precations in Buildings' (BRE 137, published 1983) nor Read's 'A short history of the Fire Research Station' (BRE 268, published 1994) mention this work or where the results ended up. Sorry!

[Cullenloon]

John

many thanks, found a copy.

Also found the Handbook of Sports Recreational Buildings Design Vol 2 (Indoor Sports), issued by the UK Sports Council, which has a section on air supported buildings.

So, again, many thanks for your assistance.

[kurnal]

I recollect a Dear Chief Officer letter or Home Office circular on this subject (5-1977  springs to mind but dont quote me) with some associated guidance but dont have a copy. It differentiated between the types of construction - ribs, wholly inflated self supporting and another I cant remember. All the DCO letters can be found on Barbour index if you have access.