sports buildings


The stressed membrane structure system should be seriously considered for sports and leisure centre projects, says Grant Feast, business development manager of Sprung Structures UK.


Stress relief


THE low purchase cost, reduced running costs and durability of a fully insulated and air tight fabric structure is a great leap forward in sustainability. Located in some of the world’s harshest environments, including the Arctic and the Arabian deserts, these alternatives to conventional construction make excellent sports and leisure facilities. Known as stressed membrane, fabric


structures and tensile/tensioned fabric structures, they consist of a metal framework, either aluminium or steel, covered with a long life fabric material - predominantly a coated PVC product. The exterior fabric or membrane is then tensioned to give strength and durability with life spans ranging up to 30 years or more. Most suppliers of these structures offer a cost effective re-skinning process, like re-roofing for example, which dramatically affects the longevity of the building. Should recreational vandalism or abuse of the membrane cause damage, it can be quickly and effectively repaired and quite often a paneled wall is fitted at low level (2.5m) to add robustness. Maintenance is minimal, making this type of structure very affordable and reliable. Construction times are also a fraction of traditional methods, which reduces preliminary costs on-site and enables use of the facilities in a far shorter time than usually anticipated. The speed of build has a positive impact on the locality too as off-site manufactured fabric structures require fewer deliveries and produce little waste for removal to land fill. There are two distinct fabric structure types available fulfilling two different requirements. The cover, basically a metal framed, single-skinned structure without


insulation, is ideal for bringing external sports inside and away from the elements. Costs are lower than a double-skinned building and the structure provides wide clear-span spaces with no columns; ideal for sports such as football, cricket, field hockey, etc. These un-insulated covered structures are not part L2A compliant and, as such, tend to be large open spaces without internal accommodation or fit-out. Point or radiant heating, ventilation and de- humidification systems in single skinned structures are highly recommended and a necessity for most clients to create a usable training space. Being un-insulated, the buildings can be expensive to run as they are susceptible to both heat loss and heat gain as well as air leakage. The alternative structure is the fully part


L2A compliant building, such as those supplied by Sprung Structures. Highly energy efficient (very low air loss of 2/U value 0.18), they are a direct alternative to traditional construction, whether block, brick, glazing or steel frame and composite panel systems. The system comprises an aluminum frame, walls and roof composed of exterior membrane, formaldehyde free insulation pack of 200-225mm and inner membrane liner which is thermally capped. The 26° roof pitch is the optimum angle to shed snow loads efficiently and with superior coated membranes Sprung has guarantees of 20 years for the fabric and 30 years for the frame. With such characteristics as these, the


stressed membrane structure system should be seriously considered for any new sports and leisure centre project, and has a place in today’s market.


www.sprungstructures.co.uk The fabric structures in use for a variety of sports bflmagazine.co.uk 25


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