CAP 437 6th Edition CAP 437 7th Edition More demanding MD Applicability to new build Applicability to existing
ew build Applicability to existing installations
requirement / reference requirement / reference
“CAP 437 – Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas”
Chapter 3, Section 3 – 5
Helideck Structural Design
Chapter 3, Section 3 – 5 N/A
Helideck Structural Design Review of Sections 3-5 to
ensure they reflect the
structural design guidance
presented in ISO 19901-3
published in December
2010.
Chapter 4 Section 2. Chapter 4, Section 2,
Paragraph 2.4. The whole Paragraph 2.4. The whole
number D-value painted in number D-value painted in
three locations around the three locations around the
helideck should be a helideck should be a
minimum character height of minimum character height of
60 cm 90 cm for D-values
>15.00m.
Chapter 4 Section 3, Para 4 Chapter 4 Section 3, Para 4
and new Appendix E. Formal and final specification for
draft specification now TD/PM circle and ‘H’ lighting
published for TD/PM circle systems presented in
and ‘H’ lighting systems. Now Appendix C (effectively
presented as an alternative replacing draft Appendix E).
to traditional deck mounted Recommendation to replace
floodlighting systems existing floodlighting with
TD/PM circle and ‘H’ lighting
systems for the take-off,
approach and landing.
Less demanding LD installations / vessels
All new build helidecks Existing
completed on or after 15 periodically re-assessed against
November 2013 latest best practice in 7th edition.
Applicable to all new builds
MD - to comply with with a certificated D-value of
update of Annex 14 15.00m or more completed on
Volume II (now or after 15 November 2013.
scheduled for November For D-values less than
2013) 15.00m the D-value character
height may remain at (not less
than) 60 cm.
All new build helidecks are
MD strongly encouraged to utilise
lighting systems consisting of
Safety green perimeter lights, yellow
Recommendation circle and green “H” that are
2011-053 from AAIB fully compliant with the
report 1/2011 into the G- detailed and final specification
REDU accident (Central laid out in Appendix C.
North Sea) in February Surface mounted helideck
2009 refers floodlights may be provided
for on-deck operations such
/ vessels – including refurbishments
installations will be
All existing helidecks with a D-value
15.00 m or greater should display
whole number D-values around the
perimeter which are at least 90 cm
high. For D-values less than
15.00m the D-value character
height may remain at 60 cm.
Characters should be increased at
the next convenient opportunity but
by no later than 15 November 2013.
A letter to industry will be circulated
around end of 2Q 2012
encouraging existing installations
on the UKCS to provide, within a 5-
year period, improved lighting
schemes consisting of green
perimeter lights, yellow circle and
green “H” – in compliance with
Appendix C. Any deck-mounted
floodlighting systems already
present around the helideck may be
 CAP 437 6th Edition
requirement / reference
Chapter 5, Section 2.6 and
2.10 Foam concentrates
applied through a Fixed
Monitor System (FMS) or a
DIFFS should meet a
performance level B standard
Chapter 5, Section 2
No detailed performance
specification for the delivery
pattern (minimum
application) from each
component nozzle of a DIFF
system prescribed.
Chapter 5, Section 4. 9Kg of
halogenated hydrocarbon or
18Kg of CO2 complementary
agent should be provided
CAP 437 7th Edition
requirement / reference
Floodlights may be retained
for on-deck operations such
as refuelling and/or as a
back-up to the new lighting
scheme.
Chapter 5, Section 2.6 and
2.10 Foam concentrates
applied through a Fixed
Monitor System (FMS) or a
DIFFS should meet
performance level B or level
C standard
Chapter 5, Section 2. New MD
Para 11. A DIFFS should
meet a performance
objective to ensure that
there is sufficient overlap of
the individual nozzles to
achieve an average
theoretical distribution over
the entire landing area with
no portion of the helideck
falling below two thirds of
the specified rate.
Chapter 5, Section 4. LD
Standards mirrored from 6th
edition except prescribed
minimum application rate is
More demanding MD Applicability to new build
Less demanding LD installations / vessels
as refuelling and passenger
handling on installations
where the cultural lighting
from other sources is typically
low.
LD – to take advantage Designers of new build
of introduction of level C installations now have a
foams in Annex 14 choice to provide level B
Volume I. foams requiring an application
rate of 6.0 litres per square
metre per minute or level C
foams requiring an application
rate of 3.75 litres per square
metre per minute.
Systems installed on new
builds completed on or after
15 November 2013 should
meet the minimum
performance objectives.
New build installations and
vessels should select dry
powder and gaseous agents
for optimum effectiveness.
Applicability to existing installations
/ vessels – including refurbishments
retained as a source of illumination
for on-deck operations and as a
back-up to the new lighting scheme
and/or redeployed for other uses;
but should not be switched on for
take-off and landing.
Where systems are refurbished an
opportunity arises for existing
installations perhaps to make use of
more effective performance level C
concentrates. For existing NUIs
further options such as CAFS may
be utilised. Appendix E letter to
industry of 1 July 2011 refers.
The objective should be assessed
for all existing installations and
vessels that utilise a DIFFS. Duty
holders may be required to
demonstrate ‘fitness for purpose’ to
a competent organisation.
Existing installations and vessels
should select dry powder and
gaseous agents for optimum
effectiveness. Agents discharging at
rates prescribed by 6th edition will
 CAP 437 6th Edition
requirement / reference
from 1 or 2 extinguishers.
Chapter 5, Section 5. For
existing NUIs reference to
UKOOA Guidelines, 5th
edition. For new builds
serious consideration for the
selection and provision of a
foam DIFFS.
Chapter 5, Section 9. PPE
prescribed to include a
recommendation for at least
two positive pressure BA
sets.
Chapter 6, Section 3.
Helideck movement. HMS
operational landing limits to
measure P/R/H
Chapter 9, Section 2 – Chapter 9, Section 2 – MD – to comply with Applicable to all new builds
obstacle protected surfaces. obstacle protected surfaces. update of Annex 14 with a certificated D-value of
Essential objects around Essential
CAP 437 7th Edition
requirement / reference
replaced with a requirement
to select for “optimum
effectiveness”
Chapter 5, Section 5. For
new build NUIs an FMS is MD
not recommended. DIFFS is
the preferred solution with a
method of fire detection/
configured to avoid spurious
activation.
Chapter 5. Section 9. PPE
selection to be “appropriate”
in accordance with HSE
requirements PPEWR and
PUWER.
Chapter 6, Section 3. HMS
to measure several new
parameters including
significant heave rate,
helideck inclination (new
parameters to be reported
on pre-flight weather
reports).
Volume
objects for scheduled for adoption or after 15 November 2013.
More demanding MD Applicability to new build
Less demanding LD installations / vessels
New build NUIs should select
DIFFS that incorporate a
method of fire detection and
are configured to avoid
spurious activation.
N/A New build installations should
select appropriate Personal
Protective Equipment on the
basis of HSE PPEWR and
PUWER.
Helideck Motion Systems to
MD measure and report new
parameters landing limits and
in future to adopt the MSI.
II (now 16.00m or less completed on
Applicability to existing installations
/ vessels – including refurbishments
usually be acceptable.
Existing installations should provide
retrofit solutions in accordance with
CAA letter of 1 July 2011. CAA
letter is reproduced at Appendix D.
Cut-off for compliance by 30 June
2014 for higher intensity NUI
helidecks and by 30 June 2017 for
standard and lower intensity NUI
helidecks.
Existing installations should review
provision of Personal Protective
Equipment against HSE PPEWR
and PUWER.
HMS software upgrades to ensure
all the required landing limit
parameters can be measured and
reported. Failure to upgrade could
lead to imposition of severe
restrictions
Applicable to all existing vessels
with a certificated D-value of
16.00m or less in so-far as they are
required to review the obstacle
 CAP 437 6th Edition CAP 437 7th Edition
requirement / reference requirement / reference
210° sector should not helidecks with a D-value of in 2013)
exceed 25 cm ADL (Para 16.00m or less should not
2.2.2) exceed 5 cm in the OFS
(Para 2.2.2)
Chapter 9 Section 3. Figure Chapter 9, Section 2, Figure
2. The whole number D- 2. The whole number D-
value painted in three value painted in three
locations around the helideck locations around the
should be a minimum helideck should be a
character height of 60 cm minimum character height of
90 cm for D-values
>15.00m.
Chapter 10, Section 2. Chapter 10, Section 2 N/A
Helicopter Winching Areas Helicopter Winching Areas
on Wind Turbines. Surface of on Wind Turbines. Surface
the platform in 2.1.9 of the platform in 2.1.9 with
“essentially flat”. 2% slope to prevent pooling
of liquids.
Chapter 10, Section 2, Chapter 10, Section 2, MD
Paragraph 2.3.1 and Figure Paragraph 2.3.1 and Figure
2. Safety zone grey all other 2. Safety zone green,
areas yellow. access route grey and
More demanding MD Applicability to new build Applicability to existing installations
Less demanding LD installations / vessels / vessels – including refurbishments
environment to remove, lower or
mitigate as far as practical any
objects that exceed 5 cm ADL.
Objects, whether or not essential
that exist >25 cm ADL for any
shipboard heliport (regardless of D-
value) should be removed at the
earliest opportunity. Actions to be
completed by no later than 15
November 2013.
Applicable to all new builds All existing shipboard heliports with
with a certificated D-value of a D-value 15.00 m or greater should
MD - to comply with 15.00m or more completed on display whole number D-values
update of Annex 14 or after 15 November 2013. around the perimeter which are at
Volume II (now For D-values less than least 90 cm high. For D-values less
scheduled for 2013) 15.00m the D-value character than 15.00m the D-value character
height may remain at (not less height may remain at 60 cm.
than) 60 cm. Characters should be increased at
the next convenient opportunity but
by no later than 15 November 2013.
To be applied to all new build N/A
platforms with immediate
effect.
To be applied to all new build To be repainted at the next
platforms with immediate scheduled repaint.
effect.
 CAP 437 6th Edition CAP 437 7th Edition More demanding MD Applicability to new build Applicability to existing installations
requirement / reference requirement / reference Less demanding LD installations / vessels / vessels – including refurbishments

winching area platform

yellow.

Chapter 10, Section 2, Chapter 10, Section 2, MD To be applied to all new build Providing the existing arrangement
Paragraph 2.3.4 initial Paragraph 2.3.4 revised platforms once the trails have is proven satisfactory (based on an
specification for heli-hoist specification for heli-hoist been completed and suitable actual operational assessment)
status light based on light in status light pending in- products become there is no need to change the light
other sectors. service trials. commercially available. until, subject to review and
replacement at the next
maintenance cycle.

Chapter 10, Section 2, Chapter 10, Section 2, LD No fixed red obstruction light Where a fixed red low intensity
Paragraph 2.3.5. Paragraph 2.3.5. is required for new build obstruction light is fitted on an
Requirement for a low Requirement for a low platforms. existing platform this may be
intensity fixed red obstruction intensity fixed red retained. However, there would be
light. obstruction light is removed. no penalty imposed on a platform
where the light subsequently goes
unserviceable or is removed.

Disclaimer: This document is not intended to record every difference between CAP 437, Edition 6 and Edition 7, but is intended only to highlight
areas of significant change.