Ameri-Dome General Specifications
Ameri-Dome material, construction, and dimension specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Top & Walls Material |
20 mil PVC UV Stabilized 100% Virgin Vinyl.
(No reclaimed, recycled, or regrind material is used.)
Our vinyl is made in the U.S.A. It is far superior to imported vinyls, which are so prevalent today. |
| Anchor Hem Material |
18 ounce reinforced polyester, which is encased within a 20 mil hem. (Adds great stability and strength.) |
| Anchor Cable |
3000 lb. rated 3/16" vinyl-coated continuous loop aircraft-style cable. |
| Wall Height |
66" |
| Hem Height |
8" |
| Ceiling Height |
Center: 12' to 14' on an average dome.
The larger the dome, the higher the ceiling.
See the dome width vs. height diagram. |
| Zipper Height |
64" |
| Anchor Sleeves |
1/2" diameter x 1-7/8" long. Expanded into the deck with the center punch (supplied). Typical anchor spacing is 3'. |
| Anchor Eyebolts |
3/8" diameter (threaded) x 2-1/2" long. Removable when the dome is stored, leaving the deck clear. |
| Corner Radius |
2' or 4', depending on the size of the dome. |
Inflation and Air Seal
The Ameri-Dome is classified as an air-supported structure. It must be anchored to the deck of the pool to hold it in place. The air needed to support the swimming pool enclosure is supplied by a blower, which is regulated by a "pressure" switch. This switch turns the blower on when the dome needs air and turns it off when the dome achieves optimum pressure. When the blower is operating, outside air is pumped into the enclosure. An air seal is created between the pool deck and the hem of the dome with the use of an 18" flap. This flap is "sealed" on the interior perimeter of the enclosure. The sealing ability is enhanced as the internal air pressure forces the flap down onto the deck of the pool.
Entry and Exit
Entry or exit is accomplished through the use of a zippered entry panel. If an entry is left open for an extended period of time, excessive air loss will cause the dome to begin deflation. This process takes a considerable amount of time on an average dome.
Residential blower system
Ameri-Dome residential blower system specifications
| Width |
17" |
Length |
19" |
| Height |
18" |
Weight |
36 lbs. |
| Voltage |
115 (AC) 60 Cycles, 7.5 amps.
Or see Overseas Blowers. |
Thermal Cutoffs |
2 |
| Rating |
1/3 to 1/2 Horsepower |
Turbine Diameter |
9" |
| Delivery |
2500-3000 cfm |
Housing |
High density polyethylene |
Airflow is directed into the dome with the use of a snorkel tube. This air tube enters the dome underneath the hem and cable. The blower and snorkel tube can be located anywhere around the perimeter of the dome except at a corner or directly in front of a door.
Our Blower Does Not Run Continuously. It is regulated by a unique type of barometric switch. This switch activates the blower when the air pressure drops to an acceptable minimum level. The same switch also senses when the air pressure within the dome achieves optimum inflation levels and then turns the blower off. This feature not only saves on energy consumption (our blowers cost only about $28 to $35 per month to run), it also prevents the blower from forcing too much pressure into the dome. This feature also keeps the pressure at a very comfortable level for the people in the unit. It is adjustable to accommodate severe wind conditions.
Blower and snorkel tube installed beside an Ameri-Dome.
Our switch operates on a mechanical basis, and there are no complicated components involved. It is capable of operating for millions of cycles.
A laminated plywood housing is supplied to cover the blower from extreme weather conditions and restrict the entrance of any snow into the blower squirrel cage.
Be sure to check out our Ameri-Dome Heaters if you live in an area that receives freezing temperatures. It's a great option and makes the dome much more pleasant in colder climates.
Made to Your Specifications
Each Ameri-Dome is custom made. We do not stock units in "standard" sizes. As each one is made to order, our customers always receive a product that was made exactly to their own specifications. It's much easier on you if we adjust the swimming pool dome rather than forcing you to alter your deck or landscape. This also ensures that the product you receive was not sitting on a shelf in a sweltering warehouse for who knows how long!
Engineering & Production
After your order is received, it is placed on the production schedule and produced in the order it was received. The engineering department uses your specifications to calculate items relating to stress, load, etc. Plans are then drawn for your particular enclosure. The plans will include the cutting charts, entry placement, and the prescribed order of assembly for your individual unit. This process enables us to provide you with an end product of quality and strength that no other company can match!
All of our products are manufactured to exacting tolerances using state-of-the-art equipment. The actual manufacturing area is kept remarkably clean to isolate any contaminants from the manufacturing process.
Materials and Fabrication
The vinyl from which the domes are made is delivered to our factory on large rolls. The rolls of vinyl are typically 72" wide and hundreds of feet long (see factory photos). They are reduced to the proper widths with the use of a "slitter." The material is fed through the slitter's razor-sharp blades and then placed on the cutting tables.
Using the plans provided by engineering, the individual sections of the enclosure are then hand dimensioned to form each panel. While this is occurring, the cable anchor hem assembly is manufactured in another area of the plant. The panels are "welded" together to form the walls, ceiling, and corners of the unit. This "welding" process is completed with the use of "radio frequency" (RF) sealing machines and is more commonly referred to as "vulcanizing." Using this process eliminates the need to use liquid adhesives, which are not only unsightly, but also unreliable. This "welding process" produces an end product that is both attractive and extremely strong in structural integrity.
Reinforced Components & Service Life
Certain component areas of the swimming pool dome are stitched. One of these is the zipper entry, which is sewn onto a polyester-reinforced panel and then attached to the desired area of entry. This stitching is generally used in areas of unusually high stress.
These methods of construction ensure that your dome will provide you with a maximum lifespan and years of trouble-free service.
The Ameri-Dome Anchoring System
The Ameri-Dome is anchored by a series of removable eyebolts and a continuous loop of vinyl-coated steel cable with a 3000 lb. test rating. The cable is sealed into the hem at the base of the enclosure.
Anchor sleeves are placed into the pool deck at about 3-foot intervals (see the anchor spacing diagram). These sleeves are 1/2" in diameter and 1-7/8" long. In the center of each sleeve is a 3/8" threaded hole into which the eyebolts are screwed.
The cable in the hem goes through the eyebolts, and the dome is now ready for inflation.
Removable Eyebolt
Typical Anchor Spacing
Cable Secured to Eyebolt
Note: We have many different types of anchoring systems available for surfaces other than pool decks and concrete. If you would like your dome to be mounted on pavers, grass, ground, wood, or whatever, give us a call. We have developed many different anchoring solutions over the years. One of them would most likely work for you.
When the swimming pool dome is taken down, the eyebolts are removed to clear the deck. The sleeves remain and are flush with the surface of the deck, leaving no obstacles. We even provide the Hole Plugs to keep debris out of the holes and a Storage bag that "Breathes" for proper dome storage during the off-season.
If a close inspection of the factory itself is any indication of the quality of our swimming pool enclosures and the craftsmanship used to construct them, all indications would suggest that our product is, in actual probability, the finest on the market.
Nearly 50 years of combined experience lead our factory's management team. This team, supported by many individuals (some of whom have worked together with the management team for decades), combines to provide our customers with proven designs and the finest craftsmanship available in the entire industry of vinyl fabrication.
It is not unusual for other vinyl manufacturing companies to request advice from our factory. Leads for the most difficult and unusual projects are regularly routed by the industry to us. Our hard-earned reputation is your assurance of complete product and service satisfaction.