Installation of Electrical,
Plumbing, Vent Pipes,
in The American Ingenuity Dome Shell
Q: How are electrical wiring and plumbing pipes installed in the dome shell?
A: The electrical and plumbing will be contained in the interior frame walls in the same manner as conventional housing. Plumbing pipes typically are installed in the foundation and come up out of the foundation into the first floor interior framed walls.
To install electrical boxes, conduit, or plumbing pipes: cut through the wall board and E.P.S. insulation slightly larger than is needed, insert the box or conduit or pipe and fill in the opening with spray expanding foam. The spray foam will harden in about one half hour, holding the box or pipes secure. Use tape and joint compound to finish the areas.
To simplify the installation of wiring around the perimeter of the first floor of the dome shell, purchase plastic baseboard that contains grooves for wiring. This way you only need to cut grooves above the baseboard to install the wiring to the electrical boxes.
Bring the wiring to the second floor through the first floor framing, or through the second floor joists or use the second floor perimeter knee wall areas.
Q: How are heavier light fixtures or ceiling fans hung from the dome shell?
A: Install nylon threaded rods in the concrete seams as the dome shell is assembled. The threaded rod extends into the interior of the dome shell and is used to hang the light fixture or ceiling fan. To install the electrical wiring to the light fixture or fan cut a groove through the shell wallboard and the E.P.S. insulation, insert the wire and fill the groove with spray expanding foam, then joint compound and tape to finish.
Q: How are plumbing vent pipes installed in the dome shell?
A: The plumbing vent pipes can be routed sideways through the interior framing and can sometimes be joined together before they exit our dome. Where the vent pipe is to exit through the dome shell, all you need do is make a hole through the thin panel concrete in the appropriate location, extend the pipe through, concrete back up against the pipe, caulk and paint. The plumbing vent pipes are sealed to our concrete dome with caulk, e.g. urethane or butyl rubber. A plumbing boot like the type used on shingled houses is not used.
Q: Does A.I.’s building plans contain the electrical, plumbing, HVAC diagrams?
A: No. American Ingenuity’s building plans include all the structural drawings, show the placement of the electrical outlets, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures; however, they do not have the electrical, plumbing, HVAC layouts. We have found if the layouts are included, then the inspectors require the subcontractors to follow the diagrams when usually the subs like to design their own layouts.
Q: If I use an A.I. Dome for a commercial building, how do I install water sprinklers?
A: Any of the dome sizes can be used for commercial purposes. Being commercial you will have to comply with possible commercial requirements like running the electrical in conduit, installing water sprinklers, etc. If so the water sprinklers can be designed within the interior walls or grooves can be cut in the EPS to insert the conduit or sprinkler pipes then spray foam is applied to fill the grooves. Thicker wall board or plaster may need to be installed on the dome interior shell to comply with the commercial fire rating.
Q: Are electric vents necessary at the peak of the dome as well as in the bathrooms to prevent moisture buildup and the resultant damage?
A: Yes. The electric vents are installed in a vertical wall near the top of the dome. In bathrooms install bathroom exhaust fans that can be turned on to exhaust hot air and moisture. Use dryer ducting for the exhaust fan ducting. It extends down the interior wall, through the floor joist and vents out under an entryway.
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