Civil Aviation Administration - Denmark Regulations for Civil Aviation

Civil Aviation Administration - Denmark Regulations for Civil Aviation BL 3-5 Regulations on helidecks on offshore installations Edition 3, 25 June 1991 In pursuance of Section 52, Section 70, and Subsection 10 of Section 149 of the Danish Air Navigation Act, cf. Consolidation Act no. 408 of 11 September 1985, the Civil Aviation Administration hereby stipulates on the authority of the Ministry of Transport, cf. Order no. 170 of 28 April 1985 concerning specifications for aerodromes, the following regulations: 1. Reference documents 1.1 Act on the Continental Shelf with latest amendments. 1.2 Regulations for Civil Aviation (BL) 3-3, Radio Navigation and Radio Landing Aids on Ground, latest edition. 1.3 Regulations for Civil Aviation (BL) 3-4, Voice Recording, latest edition. 1.4 Regulations for Civil Aviation (BL) 3-6, Refuelling of Aircraft etc., latest edition. 1.5 Regulations for Civil Aviation (BL) 6-63, National VHF Telecommunication Licence, Danish or English Phraseology, latest edition. 1.6 Regulation on Charges for the Civil Aviation Administration with latest amendments. 2. Definitions Helideck: Heliport on offshore installation. Helicopter landing officer (HLO): A person with a special training who is in charge of the daily work in connection with helicopter operations on an offshore installation. Offshore installation, mobile: A vessel capable of drilling in connection with exploring or exploiting ressources on the sea bed, or a unit with a ship or barge-like deplacement hull of single or multiple hull construction intended to operate afloat. Offshore installation, stationary: Platform permanently erected from the sea bed. 3. Applicability These Regulations apply to helidecks on offshore installations which are within Danish waters and/or shelf area with the purpose of exploring or exploiting the continental shelf, cf. Section 1 of the Danish Air Navigation Act and Section 3 of the Act on the Continental Shelf. 4. General 4.1 Establishment, operation and maintenance of installations, equipment and services shall be carried out in accordance with these Regulations and any other special conditions laid down in the Certificate of Approval. 4.2 For helidecks on unmanned offshore installations, the Civil Aviation Administration may exempt from these Regulations and ap- BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 1

prove a helideck, cf. Part 5, conditional to operational restrictions on its use. 5. Approval 5.1 Before a helideck is taken into operation, it shall have been technically approved by the Civil Aviation Administration. The Civil Aviation Administration normally inspects a helideck before a Certificate of Approval is granted, and surveys the installation and its operation. 5.1.1 The Civil Aviation Administration shall have received an application for approval of a helideck not later than one month prior to commencement of operation. The following information shall be enclosed: a. Specification of the largest helicopter type to be operated. b. Declaration substantiating that the load-bearing capacity of the helideck is sufficient for the helicopter type in question. The declaration shall be issued by the Danish Energy Agency as regards stationary offshore installations, and by the Danish Maritime Authority as regards mobile offshore installations. c. Situation drawings with dimensions showing the entire offshore installation in plane and section views in a legible scale. d. Drawing of the helideck and its immediate surroundings. The drawing shall show the location of the obstacle free surfaces, cf. Part 7, and any obstacles with specification of their height above the helideck level. e. Drawings specifying the details of the helideck, cf. Parts 6 and 8. f. Description, specification of quantity and information on the positioning of the equipment mentioned in Part 9. g. Information on liability and instructions, cf. Part 10. h. Copy of any approvals from foreign civil aviation authorities. 5.2 The approval is granted for a period of up to 5 years, but is no longer valid when the offshore installation leaves Danish waters and/or shelf area. However, direct movement between areas over which Denmark has the sovereign power does not result in annulment of the approval. 5.2.1 If a previously approved helideck returns to Danish waters/shelf area, a renewed Certificate of Approval may be issued if the owner declares that the helideck has undergone no changes since the latest approval. 6. Take-off and final approach area 6.1 Location 6.1.1 The helideck shall be located so that the obstacle free approach and departure sectors mentioned in para. 7.1.1 can be placed in such a way that due consideration is given to the prevailing wind direction, and so that the area above the take-off and final approach area and the area above the approach area is affected as little as possible by turbulence induced by the structure of the offshore installation or by high temperatures and by turbulence induced by exhaust etc. from gas turbines, flare stacks, ventilating chimneys or the like. 6.1.2 If the helideck is located on top of a compact part of the offshore installation, e.g. the living-quarters, there shall be a separation permitting the air to flow freely between the deck and the underlying structure in order to avoid unnecessary turbulence. 6.2 Size The load-bearing area of the helideck shall have the following dimensions: a. For helicopters with one main rotor the load-bearing area shall at least be of sufficient size to contain a circle of a diameter equal to the over-all BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 2

length of the helicopter type, including rotors, below called D. b. For helicopters with tandem main rotor the load-bearing area shall at least be of sufficient size to contain a circle of a diameter 0.9 D. 6.3 Surface conditions The deck shall a. be made of steel or alloys of aluminium, b. have a non-skid surface with a coefficient of friction of not less than 0.4, c. be constructed so that ground effect is preserved and d. have a slope of not more than 3 per cent. 6.4 Rope netting 6.4.1 In its middle the deck shall be equipped with a securely fastened, tautly stretched rope netting of natural products. The rope diameter shall be at least 15 mm and not more than 20 mm, and the size of the net meshes shall be at least 200 mm and not more than 250 mm. The net shall be fastened to points at 1.5 m intervals at the edge of the helideck and shall be tensioned to at least 2225 Newton (N). 6.4.2 When D is up to 12 m, the net size shall be at least 6x6 m. When D is between 12 m and 20 m, the net size shall be at least 12x12 m, and when D is more than 20 m, the net size shall be at least 15x15 m. 6.5 Safety net In order to safeguard persons where no structural protection exists, a safety net, at least 1.5 m wide, shall be installed around the helideck. The net shall have the strength to absorb the falling energy of a mass weighing 75 kg falling 1 m. The inner edge of the net shall be fastened on a level with or a little below the helideck. The height above the helideck of the outer edge shall not exceed 25 cm, and the upward/outward slope of the net shall be at least 10. 6.6 Access routes The helideck shall have at least two convenient, clearly marked access routes which, located as far apart from each other as practicable, allow a free passage of at least 60 cm. 6.7 Tie-down The helideck shall have tie-down points for securing a helicopter. 6.8 Drainage The helideck shall be waterproof and equipped with a drainage system, including a gutter encircling the entire deck, for collecting any fuel spill. The system shall be capable of resisting burning fuel. 6.9 Safety kerb On the circumference of the helideck on mobile offshore installations, a raised kerb 5 cm high shall be established, except in sections where the deck is on a level with large surrounding areas. The kerb shall be constructed in such a way that there are outlets to the circumferential gutter mentioned in para. 6.8. 7. Approach and departure securing 7.1 Obstacle-free approach and departure surfaces 7.1.1 Out to a distance of 1000 m from the helideck there shall be an obstacle free approach and departure sector covering an angle of 210 in level with the helideck. The angle shall contain an area with a diameter D (or 0.9 D, cf. para. 6.2 b) of the load-bearing area of the helideck (see diagram, Appendix 1). BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 3

7.1.1.1 Within the approach and departure sector above the helideck level, obstacles essential for the safe operation of the helicopter are permitted, but only up to a height of 25 cm. 7.1.1.2 Below the helideck within an angle of 180, included in the sector mentioned in para. 7.1.1, and with vertex in the centre of the area mentioned in para. 6.2, no part of the off shore installation shall penetrate a surface with a falling gradient of 5:1 (height:distance) from the edges of the helideck to the sea level. 7.1.2 The holder of a Certificate of Approval of the helideck shall ensure that no other offshore installations are established within the approach and departure sector unless approved by the Civil Aviation Administration. This also applies if the top of another offshore installation is below the helideck level. 7.1.3 If parts of cranes or other constructions, located outside the approach and departure sector, penetrate the obstacle free surfaces when in use, the holder of the Certificate of Approval shall ensure by instruction that the obstacle free surfaces are not penetrated during helicopter operations. 7.2 Obstacles outside the approach and departure sector 7.2.1 At helidecks for helicopters with single main rotor there shall not be any obstacles higher than 0.05 D above deck level (see diagram, Appendix 1) outside the approach and departure sector over the remaining 150 out to a distance equal to 0.62 D calculated from the centre of the deck. Between 0.62 D and 0.83 D no obstacle shall penetrate a surface sloping 1:2. 7.2.2 At helidecks for helicopters with tandem main rotors there shall not be any obstacles above deck level outside the approach and departure sector over the remaining 150 out to a distance equal to 0.62 D from the centre of the deck. From this limit and out to a distance equal to 0.83 D from the centre of the deck there shall not be any obstacles higher than 0.05 D above deck level (see diagram, Appendix 2). 8. Marking 8.1 Marking on the helideck 8.1.1 The load-bearing area with a diameter D/0.9 D of the helideck shall be painted dark green or dark grey. Non-load-bearing areas in continuation of the bearing ares shall be painted red out to a distance of 2 m from the load-bearing area. 8.1.2 The limitation of the area with a diameter D/0.9D shall be marked by a white edge line 30 cm wide. In at least three places on this edge line D in metres shall be painted in black numbers 20 cm high (see diagram, Appendix 3). 8.1.3 An aiming circle shaped as a 1 m wide yellow circle ring, as shown on Appendix 3, shall be painted on the helideck. The centre of the aiming circle shall if possible coincide with the centre of the load-bearing area of the helideck. The aiming circle shall have a diametre that ensures a safe distance from all parts of a helicopter to obstacles, when the largest helicopter type approved for use on the helideck is placed with the main landing gear within and with the pilot over the circle. 8.1.3.1 A white H, placed and designed as stated in Appendix 3, shall be painted in the middle of the aiming circle of the deck. 8.1.4 The name or call signal of the offshore installation shall be painted in yellow letters and/or numbers 1.2 m high on the helideck between the aiming circle and the edge line (see diagram, Appendix 3). 8.2 Marking outside the obstacle-free areas 8.2.1 If the helideck is not the highest point of the offshore installation, the highest point shall be marked by red obstacle lights visible from any point above a horizontal plane through the light. The light intensity shall be at least 10 candela. 8.2.2 If the Civil Aviation Administration estimates that parts of the offshore installation structure, elevations or the like constitute a risk for operations to the helideck, marking with lights and painting shall be made in ac- BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 4

cordance with the international regulations as stated in Appendix 4. 8.3 Lighting system 8.3.1 If the helideck is intended for use by night or in limited visibility conditions it shall be equipped with a permanent lighting system consisting of edge lights, floodlighting and wind cone lighting. The lighting system shall be connected to an emergency power supply system, cf. para. 9.9. The lighting system shall be operable from a place near the helideck. 8.3.2 The edge light fixtures shall be spaced in the periphery immediately outside the edge line at intervals of not more than 3 m. They shall not rise more than 25 cm above the level of the helideck. The light sources shall not be located below the level of the helideck. The lights shall be yellow and the light intensity shall be at least 15 candela. All edge lights shall be operable from the same switch. 8.3.3 The floodlighting shall be established in such a way that pilots are not dazzled. If the fixtures are mounted within the approach and departure sector they shall not rise more than 25 cm above the level of the helideck. It shall be possible to switch on and off the floodlighting independently of the edge and wind cone lightings. 8.3.4 The illumination of the wind cone prescribed in para. 9.1 shall be made so that both wind cone and mast are visible from all directions. 9. Equipment 9.1 Wind cone A free-standing wind cone shall be mounted on a mast near the helideck, positioned with due respect to the obstacle free sectors. The wind cone shall be shaped as a truncated cone and be white and red in 5 alternate bands the first and the last being red. The cone shall be at least 1.2 m long with a diametre of at least 0.3 m closest to the mast and at least 0.15 m in the other end. 9.2 Wind gauge Equipment for measuring the direction and velocity of the wind shall be installed. The equipment shall comply with specifications laid down by the Civil Aviation Administration. The sensors shall be placed in such a way that the measurements are affected as little as possible by adjacent constructions and other things that might affect these. The measurements shall be accessible in a place from where they quickly can be passed on to the helicopter pilot. 9.3 Barometer A barometer complying with the specifications laid down by the Civil Aviation Administration shall be installed to make it possible to give altimeter setting. 9.4 Equipment for measuring temperatures There shall be equipment available for measuring the temperature of the air. 9.5 Bank indicator etc. Mobile offshore installations shall be equipped with instruments showing the heave, pitch and roll of the installation. 9.6 Aeronautical radio station 9.6.1 There shall be an approved permanent aeronautical radio station. 9.6.2 Use of portable radio equipment for communication between HLO and radio room or helicopter pilot requires a Certificate of Operation if the range of the equipment exceeds 1 NM. 9.6.3 The Civil Aviation Administration may in special cases demand voice recording of the radio correspondence on the aeronautical frequencies on an offshore installation, cf. BL 3-4. 9.7 Radio navigation and radio landing aids BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 5

Any radio navigation and radio landing aids transmitting on the aeronautical frequencies are subject to the approval of the Civil Aviation Administration under the terms of BL 3-3. 9.8 Alarm system There shall be an alarm system that can be activated from a place where the helideck can be kept under constant observation. 9.9 Emergency power system Wind gauge, radio, alarm systems and lighting systems of the helideck shall be connected to an emergency power supply. Switch-over shall take place automatically within 15 seconds. 9.10 Fire-fighting equipment 9.10.1 Fire-fighting equipment and agents for intervention within 15 seconds shall be available close to the helideck. 9.10.2 For extinguishing with foam there shall be at least two suitably located foam monitors each with a discharge rate of 1,600 l/min. Furthermore, there shall be a hose arrangement including a branch pipe with foam injector capacity of 200 l/min. The foam extinguishing equipment shall be connected to the fire water system of the offshore installation, and the pressure of the fire water system at the helideck shall be at least 6 bar and not more than 8 bar. The foam compound tank of the foam extinguishing equipment shall contain enough synthetic foam compound for operation of foam monitors and the medium expansion foam branch pipe for 3 minutes. It shall be possible to extinguish with foam effectively anywhere on the helideck. A spare supply of synthetic foam compound equivalent to 6 minutes use shall be available at the offshore installation. 9.10.3 For extinguishing with powder there shall be a 250 kg powder system with universal powder and two 12 kg powder fire extinguishers with special powder for extinguishing burning metal (D powder). Effective intervention with the powder fire extinguishing equipment shall be possible anywhere on the helideck. A spare supply of 500 kg universal powder and four 12 kg powder fire extinguishers shall be available on the offshore installation. 9.10.4 In order to be able to extinguish fire in engines there shall be a 10 kg carbon dioxide extinguisher with an extension on the nozzle. A spare supply of two such extinguishers shall be available at the offshore installation. 9.10.5 Extinguishers shall be checked in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer, however, at least once a year. 9.11 Emergency equipment 9.11.1 Close to the helideck the belowmentioned tools shall be available, placed in a box or locker marked "Redningsudstyr" and "Emergency Equipment": 1 aircraft type axe, 1 large axe, 2 knives for disengagement of fastened persons, 1 crow bar, 1 bolt-cutter, 1 pair of cutting pliers, 1 hack-saw with spare blades, 1 hammer, 1 chisel, 1 pair of plate shears, and 2 safety lamps. 9.11.2 A metal boat-hook with a shaft 3 m long shall be available at the helideck. 9.11.3 During take-off and landing a motor rescue boat shall be ready for immediate assistance in case of an aircraft accident. 9.12 Equipment for fire-fighting personnel On any offshore installation there shall be protective suits for at least two persons, including gloves, boots and helmets with visor. When the equipment is not used it shall be kept in a locker or box marked "Branddragt" and "Protective Clothing". BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 6

9.13 Signs At the access routes to the helideck signs shall be mounted with the following text in Danish and English: a. The deck is off limit during take-off and landing. b. No smoking and use of open fire. c. No traffic behind helicopters with rotors in operation. In special cases the Civil Aviation Administration may require signs in other languages. 9.14 Refuelling facilities and fuel On offshore installations situated more than 50 NM from the shore or from another offshore installation with refuelling facilities, there shall be refuelling facilities and a fuel store. Fuel shall be controlled and refuelling shall be made in accordance with BL 3-6. 9.15 Other equipment On the offshore installation there shall be a scale for weighing luggage and freight. Wheel stop wedges and tie-down gear shall be available for the helicopter crew. 9.16 Maintenance The prescribed equipment shall be kept in the same functional condition as when approved. 10. Personnel and services 10.1 Instructions The holder of a Certificate of Approval of the helideck shall ensure a. that instructions have been worked out for the head of the offshore installation, for HLO, for radio operator, for meteorological observer, and for firemen, b. that instructions have been worked out concerning supervision and maintenance of installation and equipment, etc., and regarding logbook keeping of supervisions and maintenance, and c. that there are instructions containing measures to be taken in case of emergency situations and aircraft accidents. 10.2 Head of the offshore installation The head of the offshore installation shall ensure to the Civil Aviation Administration that the regulations in this BL and the instructions, cf. para. 10.1, are observed, and that persons engaged in helicopter operations have the necessary training and the necessary knowledge of existing instructions etc. Furthermore, he shall ensure that any special conditions laid down by the Civil Aviation Administration when approving the helideck are observed, and he shall inform the Civil Aviation Administration and any relevant helicopter operator about any conditions occurred which imply that the helideck no longer satisfies the regulations in this BL. If he estimates that such conditions may cause danger to operations, the flying activities shall be suspended immediately. 10.3 HLO (Helicopter landing officer) 10.3.1 To be allowed to discharge his duties as HLO, the person in question shall have completed a helicopter course at the "Danish Off-shore Safety and Technology School" or at a comparable Danish or foreign school. 10.3.2 It rests with HLO a. to be in charge of the daily work in connection with helicopter operations, b. to keep the head of the offshore installation informed of the state of affairs of the helideck, including equipment and services, BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 7

c. to ensure that there are no persons or loose items on the helideck during take-offs and landings, d. to maintain contact with the helicopter pilot, either directly by portable radio, cf. para 9.6.2, or via the radio operator of the off-shore installation, to inform him whether the deck is clear, and e. to ensure that the firemen are ready. 10.3.2.1 If HLO uses portable radio equipment with a range of more than 1 NM or permanent radio equipment, he shall be authorized to do so by the Civil Aviation Administration or comparable foreign authority. 10.4 Radio operator/meteorological observer 10.4.1 Transmission on the aeronautical frequencies shall only be done by persons who hold a national VHF telecommunication licence, English phraseology, cf. BL 6-63, or by persons approved to do so by the Civil Aviation Administration. 10.4.2 The radio operator shall communicate with the helicopter pilot in accordance with existing regulations and shall pass on weather information, etc. 10.4.3 If the radio operator does not prepare the weather information himself, another person on the offshore installation shall be appointed to do so. 10.4.4 The meteorological observer may in special cases be subject to the approval of the Civil Aviation Administration. 10.5 Firemen In connection with helicopter operations there shall be two trained firemen present at the helideck. At least one of these shall be dressed in a protective suit and shall stay near the foam monitor which will be the most effective to use, the prevailing weather conditions taken into account. HLO may be one of the two firemen. 11. Revocation The Civil Aviation Administration may revoke a Certificate of Approval, cf. Part 5, if the regulations in this BL and/or the conditions laid down during the approval procedure are not complied with. 12. Charges, etc. 12.1 Before approval a charge shall be paid in accordance with the Regulation on Charges for the Civil Aviation Administration in force at any time. In addition to this the Civil Aviation Administration will collect an annual fee under the terms of the said Regulation. 12.2 The Civil Aviation Administrations expenses in connection with inspection and survey of the helideck shall be paid by the person who has applied for approval of a helideck/who operates the helideck. 13. Exemption The Civil Aviation Administration may in exceptional cases grant exemption from the regulations in this BL. 14. Complaints Complaints of the decisions taken by the Civil Aviation Administration in pursuance of the regulations in this BL may be presented to the Ministry of Transport. 15. Punishment 15.1 Violation of the regulations in this BL is punishable by fine. 15.2 For violation committed by a limited company, a co-operative or the like, penalty may be imposed on the company/co-operative as such under Subsection 13 of Section 149 of the said Act. BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 8

16. Implementation 16.1 This BL comes into force on 1 August 1991. 16.2 At the same time BL 3-5, 2 edition of 1 June 1987 is repealed. 16.1.1 Helidecks already approved shall comply with these Regulations not later than on 1 January 1993. Civil Aviation Administration, 25 June 1991 S.E. Andresen Acting Director General /M. Dambæk BL 3-5 / Edition 3 / 25.6.1991 / 9