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The UK’s first
onshore elevated helipad with a Deck Integrated Fire
Fighting System (DIFFS) at Kings College Hospital
London has been certified by CAA International.
Following an indepth
review of the helipad drawings, the feasibility
study and comprehensive onsite inspections by UK CAA
Regulators, the helipad was given the green light
for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and
air ambulance operations.
To meet design
requirements, the helipad’s physical characteristics
(surface, tie-down points, safety net, and access
points), environmental and operational factors,
visual aids and fire fighting systems all had to be
assessed.
The construction
phase of the helipad was managed by Watts Group
Limited during a period when UK best practice was
transitioning from Health Building Note (HBN) 15:03
to UK CAA CAP 1264 - the latest UK design and
operational standards for helicopter landing areas
at hospitals.
Tim Messer,
Project Director for Watts Group Limited said, “To
achieve UK CAA compliance, we had to increase the
water storage tanks from 8m3 to 20m3. The system
also required new foam mixing equipment, larger
pumps and associated controls. The CAA certification
gives assurance that HEMS operations at KCH can
operate safely and best serve patients in time
critical conditions.” |
