CAP 437 inspection

A helideck inspection is important for several reasons, including:

1. Ensuring safety: The primary purpose of a helideck inspection is to ensure that the helideck is safe for helicopter operations. A thorough inspection can help identify potential hazards, such as obstructions or damage to the helideck surface, that could pose a risk to the safety of personnel or the helicopter itself.
2. Compliance with regulations: Helidecks are subject to strict regulatory requirements that must be met in order to be operational. A helideck inspection can help identify any non-compliance issues and ensure that the helideck meets all relevant regulatory standards.
3. Avoiding accidents: A helideck inspection can help identify potential safety issues before they become accidents. By identifying and addressing issues early, the likelihood of an accident or incident is reduced.
4. Protecting equipment: Helicopters are expensive pieces of equipment, and any damage caused during takeoff or landing can result in significant costs. By ensuring that the helideck is in good condition and free from hazards, the risk of damage to the helicopter can be minimized.

The responsibility for conducting helideck inspections can vary depending on the type of helideck and the organization that operates it. In general, the following parties may be involved in conducting helideck inspections:

1. Helideck owner: The owner of the helideck is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the helideck is safe and compliant with all relevant regulations. This includes arranging for regular inspections to be conducted.
2. Helicopter operators: Helicopter operators may also be involved in conducting helideck inspections, particularly if they use the helideck frequently. They may have their own checklists and procedures that they use to assess the safety of the helideck.
3. Third-party inspection companies: In some cases, helideck inspections may be conducted by third-party inspection companies that specialize in this area. These companies may be hired by the helideck owner or operator to conduct independent assessments of the helideck's safety and compliance.

It is important that whoever is responsible for conducting the inspection is qualified and experienced in helideck inspections and understands the regulatory requirements and industry standards. This may involve having relevant training and certification, such as a Helideck Inspection Training Course certificate or Helideck Certification Agency (HCA) accreditation.

The requirements for a helideck to be operational can vary depending on the location and type of helideck. However, in general, the following requirements must be met:

1. Compliance with regulations: The helideck must be compliant with all relevant regulations and standards, including national and international regulations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
2. Adequate markings and lighting: The helideck must have appropriate markings and lighting to ensure that it is visible to pilots and other personnel. This includes helideck perimeter markings, touchdown and positioning markings, and obstacle markings.
3. Appropriate surface condition: The surface of the helideck must be in good condition and able to support the weight of the helicopter. The surface must also be free from any obstructions or debris that could pose a hazard.
4. Safety net and perimeter fencing: The helideck must have a safety net or other appropriate fall protection measures in place. It must also have perimeter fencing to prevent unauthorized access.
5. Adequate firefighting equipment: The helideck must have appropriate firefighting equipment and procedures in place, including fire extinguishers, water spray systems, and foam systems.
6. Communication systems and signal equipment: The helideck must have appropriate communication systems and signal equipment in place, including radios and signal lights, to ensure effective communication between the helicopter and the ground crew.
7. Fuel storage and handling procedures: The helideck must have appropriate fuel storage and handling procedures in place to ensure the safe storage and transfer of fuel.
8. Emergency response procedures: The helideck must have appropriate emergency response procedures in place to ensure that any incidents or accidents are quickly and effectively responded to.

It is important that all of these requirements are regularly assessed and maintained to ensure the safety and compliance of the helideck.

A helideck inspection checklist typically includes a range of elements that need to be assessed to ensure the helideck is safe and compliant with industry standards. Some of the key elements that are typically included in a helideck inspection checklist are:

1. Helideck markings and lighting
2. Surface condition of the helideck
3. Windsock and wind direction indicator
4. Helideck safety net and perimeter fencing
5. Firefighting equipment and emergency response procedures
6. Communication systems and signal equipment
7. Fuel storage and handling procedures
8. Helicopter approach and departure paths
9. Obstructions and hazards in the vicinity of the helideck
10. Weather conditions and visibility.

The specific elements that are included in a helideck inspection checklist may vary depending on the location and type of helideck being inspected. The checklist should be designed to ensure that all critical safety and compliance elements are covered. It is important to note that the checklist should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that it remains relevant and up-to-date with the latest industry standards and regulations.

If a helideck is found to be non-compliant during an inspection, immediate action must be taken to rectify the issues identified. The specific actions taken will depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance.

In general, the following steps may be taken:

1. Notification: The helideck owner or operator must be notified of the non-compliance and the steps that need to be taken to rectify the issue.
2. Rectification plan: A plan must be developed to rectify the non-compliance issues identified during the inspection. This plan must include a timeline for rectification, and the plan must be communicated to all relevant parties.
3. Re-inspection: Once the rectification plan has been implemented, a follow-up inspection must be conducted to ensure that the non-compliance issues have been rectified.
4. Compliance certification: If the helideck is found to be compliant during the re-inspection, a compliance certification may be issued.

If the non-compliance issues are severe, or if the helideck owner or operator fails to rectify the issues within the required timeframe, the helideck may be deemed unsuitable for use. This may result in the suspension or revocation of the helideck's certification, which would prevent it from being used for helicopter operations until the issues are rectified.

It is important that all non-compliance issues are addressed promptly to ensure the safety of personnel and the effective operation of the helideck.

The most common issues found during helideck inspections can vary depending on the type of helideck, its location, and the frequency of inspections. However, some of the most common issues that may be identified during a helideck inspection include:

1. FOD (Foreign Object Debris): FOD is one of the most common issues found during helideck inspections. It refers to any debris, loose objects or equipment on or around the helideck that could potentially cause damage to the helicopter or pose a safety hazard to personnel. FOD can include loose bolts, gravel, loose tools, or other foreign objects.
2. Surface condition: The surface of the helideck must be in good condition and free from any cracks, holes, or other damage that could pose a hazard to helicopter operations. The surface must also be slip-resistant and able to support the weight of the helicopter.
3. Markings and lighting: Helidecks must have appropriate markings and lighting to ensure that they are visible to pilots and other personnel. Missing, faded, or incorrect markings and lighting can pose a significant hazard to helicopter operations.
4. Safety net and perimeter fencing: The helideck must have a safety net or other appropriate fall protection measures in place. It must also have perimeter fencing to prevent unauthorized access.
5. Fuel storage and handling procedures: The helideck must have appropriate fuel storage and handling procedures in place to ensure the safe storage and transfer of fuel. Any leaks or spills must be quickly and effectively contained and cleaned up.
6. Emergency response procedures: The helideck must have appropriate emergency response procedures in place to ensure that any incidents or accidents are quickly and effectively responded to.
7. Obstructions: Any obstructions, such as antennas, lighting towers, or other equipment, must be appropriately marked and positioned to ensure that they do not pose a hazard to helicopter operations.

It is important to note that these are just some of the most common issues that may be identified during a helideck inspection. Helideck inspections may also identify other issues depending on the specific circumstances of the inspection.