Offshore helicopter landing areas

Guidance on standards
Annex 1 CAP 437 6th edition
comparison table
More
CAP 437 5th
Edition
requirement /
reference

C'AP 437 6th Edition

requirement /
reference

Applicability to

demanding

Applicability to

existing

MD

new build

installations /

Less

installations /

vessels

demanding

vessels

including

LD

refurbishments

Chapter 3, Section
2 Helideck
Design
Considerations
(Environmental
Effects)Provisional
turbulence
criterion
presented: limit on
the standard
deviation of the
vertical airflow

Combined

Chapter 3, Section 2

operations /

Helideck Design
Considerations
(Environmental
Effects)Final
turbulence criterion
presented: limit on the
standard deviation of

modifications to
MD criteria
linked to a
lower pilot
work load

existing topsides
All new build
helidecks

rating

which could have an

effect on
environmental
conditions.HOMP
routine monitoring of

the vertical airflow

pilot. Workload and

velocity of 1.75 m/s

turbulence events

velocity of 2.4 m/s

Where significant
heat sources are

CAA paper 2007/02

present, offshore

Visualisation of
CAA research into
Visualisation of
Offshore Gas
Turbine Exhaust
Plumes is notified
(with CAA paper
pending)

dutyholders should

Offshore Gas Turbine

commission a

Exhaust Plumes, work

survey of ambient

published
demonstrating that the
visualisation of
exhaust plumes is both
practical and
affordable and should
be considered for
problem platforms

temperature rise
N/A

based on a
Gaussian
dispersion model
and supported by
wind tunnel tests
and/or CFD studies.
Where necessary
the platform layout
should be modified

Consideration should
be given to installing
a gas turbine
exhaust plume
visualisation system
on problem
platforms known to
have a gas plume
problem.HOMP
should be used to
establish and
continuously monitor
the temperature
environment around
all offshore

at the design stage

platforms.

to mitigate
temperature events
at the helideck.

Chapter 3, Section
6 Size and
obstacle protected
surfaces.210
sector (Para 6.2)
and falling
gradient (Para 6.6)
- obstacle
protection
surfaces to be
considered out to
a 1000m from the
helideck.

210 sector and falling

More flexible

gradient protection to

being

be accounted for out to dependent on

a distance from the

helicopter type

helideck based on the

and ambient

Applicable to all

one-engine inoperative conditions at

capability of the

the time of the

helicopter type to be

operation.

existing installations,
Applicable to all

used. For Pc1 and Pc2 Note: 1000m is new builds

operations the

generally

horizontal extent of

regarded as

this distance will be

being

based upon the one-

conservative

engine inoperative

for good

capability of the

performing

helicopter type.

helicopters

Para 6.3 objects

Obstacle

whose function

accountability for

requires them to be on

the surface of the

the surface of the

helideck is not

landing area should

currently

not exceed 2.5cm.

prescribed

(See also note to

permanent multiplatform
configurations and
temporary combined
operations.

Applicable to all
MD (New
ICAO
requirement for
objects on the
FATO)

section 7.3)

new builds. ICAO

All existing

stipulates

installations should

Applicable to all

be re-assessed and

new builds

any non-compliance

completed on or

removed or

after 01 January

mitigated.

2012.

It is strongly
Para 6.5 LOS slopes
Para 6.4 Limited
obstacle sector
1st segment
restricted up to
0.05D. 2nd
segment
restriction on 1:2
slope

and surfaces
proposal accepted by
industry to change the
1st segment slope
criteria by limiting the
1st segment obstacle
accountability to a flat
surface 25 cm with
2nd segment
unchanged.

recommended that

MD

every helideck be re-

requirements

surveyed to ensure

require reassessment of
the 1st
segment only.
The second
segment
remains
unchanged

that any new nonApplicable to all

compliance(s)

new builds with

identified are

immediate effect

removed, lowered or
mitigated. Mitigation
will include, but may
not be limited to,
provision for an
offset TD/PM,
application of PLHS

marking

ICAO stipulates
Section 9, Para
9.1 Safety Nets
may exceed the
height of the
landing area by up
to 0.25m.

Section 9, Para 9.1

safety nets at the
outboard edge should

MD

not exceed the height

of the landing area.

Applicable to all

Not applicable to

new builds

existing installations

completed on or

except where the

after 01 January

helideck net support

2012. This is

system is due to be

supported for CAP

replaced.

437.

Where the
conspicuity of
Chapter 4 Section

markings utilising

2. For natural light

Chapter 4 Section 2.

black outlining is

grey coloured

For natural light grey

assessed by the

aluminium

coloured aluminium

helicopter operator to

helidecks the

helidecks conspicuity

conspicuity of

of markings should be

markings should

enhanced by

be enhanced by

overlaying them on a

N/A

All new build

be good, no action

aluminium

is required. Where

helidecks.

conspicuity is poor,
markings should be

outlining them with black painted

overlaid on a black

a thin (10cm)

painted background

background.

black line.

at the next
convenient
opportunity.

Any existing
Chapter 4 Section
2. Paragraph 2.4.
Aiming circle
should be offset
0.1D away from
the centre of the D
circle towards the
outboard edge. On
bow mounted
decks and for
decks 16.0m or
less the aiming
circle should be on
deck centre

All new build

Chapter 4, Section 2,

helidecks,

Paragraph 2.6. The

regardless of D-

TD/PM marking should

value, will normally

be concentric with the

have the TD/PM

centre of the D circle

circle located

except it may be offset

N/A

concentric with the

by up to 0.1D away

centre of D except

from the centre of D

where an

where an aeronautical

aeronautical survey

survey indicates it is

indicates that an

beneficial to do so.

offset marking is
beneficial.

helidecks where an
offset marking is
used should be
reassessed by HCA
in consultation with
the helicopter
operators to ensure
adequate safety of
flight operations and
ground handling
issues. Where
necessary the
TD/PM circle should
be re-located to deck
centre.

All existing platforms

should be assessed

Chapter 4 Section 3.

by the helicopter

Impact of non-

(New note). Specifies

aeronautical

that where non-

All new build

lighting on

aeronautical platform

heldeck

helideck lighting

lighting has potential to MD

arrangements

systems is not

cause confusion to

should be subject to

currently

aeronautical lighting it

an assessment

addressed

should be shielded or

operator; any
existing platform
where the potential
for confusion exists
installation or vessel
operators may need
to consider shielding

extinguished.

or extinguishing nonaeronautical lights

All existing

Chapter 4, Section
3, Para 4.

Chapter 4 Section3,

New build heldecks

Para 4 and new

may take

Appendix E. Formal

advantage of

specification now

N/A

improved stage 2

published for TD/PM

systems in lieu of

circle and H lighting

floodlighting with

systems

immediate effect

installations,
especially
refurbishments and
Normally Unattended
Installations may
take advantage of
improved systems
with immediate
effect.

It is required that
status lights on
existing installations
Chapter 4 Section
3 Para
10. Specification
in accordance with
CAA paper
2003/06.
Photometric
specification
verified in
accordance with
Appendix B
Flashing light test
procedure.

should comply in full

with the latest

Chapter 4 Section 3

published

Para 10. Specification

specification. Where

in accordance with

status lights only

CAA paper 2008/01

Appendix B. Flashing
light test procedure
revised / republished
following an
independent NPL
review of standards

N/A

All new build

helidecks

meet the previous

published
specification
2003/06, units
should be replaced
with compliant
systems or an
operational limitation
commensurate with
the established
performance of the
systems should be

applied.

For systems
designed in
accordance with
earlier editions of
CAP 437, the
Chapter 5, Section

response time

2. A fixed monitor

objectives of Chapter

system should
produce foam at
the required
application rate
within 30 seconds
from the time of
the incident.
NB: The 30
second
requirement was
first introduced
into CAP 437, 3rd

5, Section 2 5th

Chapter 5, Section

edition should be

2. A fixed monitor
system should

All new build

produce foam at the

systems should be

required rate within 15

designed to meet

seconds from the time

MD

the MD response

the system is activated

time objective

and should bring a

requirements of

helideck fire under

Edition 6.

control within a further

demonstrated.
However, where the
measured response
time is recorded
between 15 and 30
seconds, HCA will
encourage
dutyholders to
consider cost

30 seconds.

effective

Edition, October

(reasonable)

1998

modifications to the
existing FMS in order
to demonstrate
compliance with the
MD requirements of
Edition 6.

Chapter 5, Section

Existing installations

2. Hand

Chapter 5, Section

New builds should

and vessels can

controlled foam

2. Hand controlled

at-least meet the

acquire 225

branch pipes

foam branch pipe(s)

minimum

litres/min minimum

should meet a

should meet a

requirements of

capacity foam

minimum

minimum application

CAP 437, 6th

branch pipes when

application rate of

rate of 225 litres/min.

Edition.

they fall due for

LD

250 litres/min.

Chapter 5, Section
2No detailed
performance
specification for a
DIFFS

replacement.

Chapter 5, Section

New builds should

The objective should

2. A DIFFS system

meet the minimum

be achieved by all

performance

existing installations

specification.Note:

and vessels that

specification to ensure

Following actual

utilise a

that a helideck fire is

tests witnessed in

DIFFS. dutyholders

brought under control

China in November

should demonstrate

should meet a basic

performance

MDLD

within 30 seconds

2008, there is

fitness for purpose

assuming one or more

acceptance for the

to HCA.The

nozzles is rendered

use of a seawater

provision of a

ineffective due to a

only DIFFS when

passive-only fire

crash situation. Note:

used in conjunction

retarding system (i.e.

The same activation

with a passive fire-

no active DIFFS

requirement exists for

retarding

intervention) is only

a DIFFS as for an

system.Where a

acceptable For

FMS i.e. 15 seconds

suitable DIFFS is

existing NUIs e.g.

from activation to

provided in lieu of

when replacing an

actual foam production

an FMS, the

old steel deck with a

at the required

provision of hand

new passive (e.g.

rate.Note: DIFFS is

controlled foam

safety) deck where

regarded as a most

branch pipes may

no power is available

effective alternative to

not be

to run a fire

FMS and therefore is

necessary. Any

pump.For an NUI

now strongly

residual fire may be

where seawater only

encouraged for new

addressed using

DIFFS is provided, it

builds. Pop up nozzles

normal prescribed

would no longer be

should have a vertical

hand-held

necessary to provide

as well as a horizontal

extinguishers.

delivery of foam from

spray component.

a portable
extinguisher. A
quantity of
secondary media
would be needed to
deal with any
residual fire.

Chapter 5, Section
4. 9Kg of

New build

halogenated

Chapter 5, Section 4.

hydrocarbon or

18Kg of gaseous CO2

18Kg of CO2

agent is required from

complementary

1 or 2 extinguishers.

installations and
MD

vessels should
select 18Kg
CO2 gaseous

agent should be

agent.

provided.

Existing installations
may continue to
utilise halogenated
hydrocarbon. When
replacing gaseous
CO2 extinguishers
should be selected.

Chapter 6,

Chapter 6, Section 4,

Dependant on the

Dependent on the

Section4

Para

location of a fixed

location of a fixed

Some weather

4.1. Meteorological

platform relative to

platform relative to

parameters may

information provision

another fixed

another fixed

be measured by

of automated MET

platform, which has

platform which has a

conventional

equipment.

a full suite of

full suite of

automated MET

automated MET

instruments while

MD

some parameters

equipment on

may be assessed

board.For a floating

by visual

system, it will

observations

usually be possible

equipment on board

to derive some WX
parameters from an
installed Helideck
Monitoring System
(HMS).

No requirements
for the reporting of
Met information
specified in CAP
437, 5th Edition

Chapter 6, Section 4,
Para 4.2. Reporting of
Meteorological

MD

information.

Chapter 6, Section 4,
No requirements

Para 4.3. Collection

for collection and

and retention of

retention of data

Meteorological

specified in CAP

information provision

437, 5th Edition

of real time web based

MD

systems.

Chapter 6, Section 4,
No requirement for
Met Observer
training in CAP
437, 5th Edition

Para
4.4. Recommendation
for MET Observer

MD

training including
annual refresher
training.

Applies to all new

Applies to all existing

build installations

installations and

and vessels where

vessels where

automated Met

automated Met

equipment is

equipment is

provided

provided

Applies to all new

Applies to all existing

build installations

installations and

and vessels where

vessels where

automated Met

automated Met

equipment is

equipment is

provided

provided

Applies to all new

Applies to all existing

build installations

installations and

and vessels where

vessels where

automated Met

automated Met

equipment is

equipment is

provided

provided

Not applicable to
Option for a

Chapter 9, Paragraph

reduced width

1.5. Note: Acceptance

deck (0.83D) with

of limited width

limited landing

arrangement with

headings is not

limited landing

available.

headings

LD

new installations.

Not applicable to

Applicable to new

existing installations.

vessels only with

Applicable to existing

the endorsement of

vessels, other than

HCA. (Note primary

yachts, only with the

application is to

endorsement of

large yacht

HCA.

pleasure vessels)

Chapter 9, Paragraph

Applicable to all

Obstacle

2.2. Objects whose

new-builds. ICAO

accountability for

function requires them

stipulates

the surface of the

to be on the surface of

helideck is not

the landing area

currently

should not exceed

completed on or

prescribed

2.5cm (see also

after 01 January

Chapter 3, section 6.3)

2012.

MD

Applicable to all
new builds

All existing vessels

should be reassessed and any
identified noncompliances should
be removed or
mitigated.

Applicable to all
Chapter 9, Section Chapter 9, Section 4,

new ships side

4 and Figure 2

new Figure 3 ships

arrangements. The existing ships side

ships side non-

side non-purpose built

2008 4th edition

arrangements. The

purpose built:

obstacles in the clear

ICS Helicopter/Ship

2008 4th edition ICS

obstacles in the

zone should not

Guide provides a

Helicopter/Ship

clear zone should

exceed

system for

Guide provides a

not exceed 25cm.

2.5cm. Obstacles in

mapping and

system for mapping

Obstacles in the

the manoeuvring zone

marking

and marking

LOS (MZ) should

should not exceed

obstructions, which

obstructions that

not exceed 0.05D.

25cm.

cannot otherwise

cannot be removed.

MD

Applicable to all

be removed.

Applies
Deck markings for
a ships side
arrangement not
specified in CAP
437, 5th Edition.

Chapter 9, Section 5,

N/A complies

retrospectively to all

Figure 4. Detailed

with good

existing vessels with

deck marking scheme

practice in the

Applies to all new

re-painting (as

for ships side (non-

2008 ICS

build vessels.

necessary) occurring

purpose built)

Helicopter/Ship

at the earliest

arrangement

Guide

convenient
opportunity.

N/A complies
with good
Deck markings for
a shipboard
winching area not
specified in CAP
437, 5th Edition.

Chapter 10, Section

Applies

practice in the

retrospectively to all

1.2, Figure 1. Detailed 2008 ICS

deck marking scheme

Helicopter/

Applies to all new

for shipboard

Ship Guide

build vessels.

winching area

and ICAO

arrangement.

Annex 14
Volume II

existing vessels with

repainting (as
necessary) at the
earliest convenient
opportunity.

(2009)

Note: New design requirements for winching areas on wind turbine platforms
are included for the first time in CAP 437 (chapter 10)

Disclaimer: This document is notintended to record every difference between

CAP 437, Edition 5 and 6, but is intended only to highlight areas of significant
change.