ENGINEERING & UPGRADING
Helideck Engineering Services.
Site surveys, gap analysis, refurbishment design and full upgrade programmes. Bringing existing helidecks into compliance with current code — whether the deck was originally ours or somebody else's. CAP 437, NORSOK, NMA, NORMAM 27.
Any Deck
MANUFACTURER-AGNOSTIC
New & Existing
DECK SCOPE
Design & Build
SAME ENGINEERING TEAM
WHY THIS EXISTS
The platform is still in service. The deck specification has moved on.
Most offshore helidecks in service today were specified to a regulatory standard that has since been revised. CAP 437 has been through seven editions. NORSOK has been amended. ICAO Annex 14 was updated in 2009. UKCAA mandated Stage 2 lighting retrofits across the regulated fleet by 2018. Each change creates a quiet population of platforms that were compliant when built and aren't anymore.
An operator facing this has three options. Replace the platform (rarely justified). Decommission the deck (rarely possible). Upgrade the existing helideck to current standards (the only realistic path for most assets).
We engineer the upgrade. Site survey, gap analysis against the current applicable code, design for the modifications required, and execution by the same yard and team that builds new helidecks. The platform stays in service. The compliance gap closes.
SERVICES
Five engineering services. One accountable team.
Site inspections and code-compliance recommendations
Drives helipad size, structural loading, fire/rescue category and lighting specification. The single most consequential decision.
Detailed design for upgrading and refurbishment
Once the gap is identified, we engineer the modification. Structural calculations, materials specification, fabrication drawings, installation sequence, class submission. Same engineering team that designs new helidecks.
Operating-region transition gap analysis
When a vessel or platform relocates to a new regulatory region — Norwegian sector to Brazilian, North Sea to Gulf of Mexico — the helideck has to be assessed against the destination region's code. We perform the gap analysis and design the modifications required.
Fully automated firefighting systems for Normally Unmanned Installations (NUI)
NUIs require fire-suppression that operates without crew presence. Engineering scope covers DIFFS retrofit onto existing decks, automated activation logic, integration with platform power and monitoring systems.
Stage 2 Circle and H lighting retrofit
Engineering design for the integration of compulsory Stage 2 lighting (UKCAA CAP 437 Appendix C) into existing helidecks. The lighting becomes structural — installation has to preserve deck integrity, water-tightness and 15 MT landing-load rating.
THE PROCESS
Survey. Design. Build. Recertify.
An upgrade starts with a site survey. Our engineers attend the platform, inspect the deck and supporting structure, document the as-built configuration, and assess against the applicable current code. The output is a gap-analysis report — written, photographed, dimensionally accurate.
Design follows. Detailed engineering of every modification — structural calculations, materials specification, fabrication drawings, installation sequence and class submission package. Output: a fully engineered upgrade specification, ready for fabrication.
Build runs through our Singapore yard. Components fabricated, trial-fitted, packed and shipped. On-platform installation supervised by our project team. Recertification of the upgraded deck completes the cycle.
Survey
ON-PLATFORM, DOCUMENTED
Design
FULLY ENGINEERED, CLASS-READY
Build & Certify
YARD-FABRICATED, SITE-INSTALLED
TYPICAL PROGRAMMES
Three upgrade programmes. Frequently specified together.
Timber to Aluminium Refit
Top-installed aluminium decking over an existing serviceable steel support frame. No scaffolding, no hot work offshore. Engineering the install procedure preserves the existing structure where possible.
Stage 2 Lighting Retrofit
Compulsory under UKCAA CAP 437 Appendix C since 2018 for regulated fleet. Engineering the integration ensures landing-load rating, water-tightness and 25 mm height limits are all preserved.
DIFFS Retrofit on Existing Decks
Sensor-activated firefighting retrofit for unmanned platforms or as a primary suppression upgrade. Engineering the integration with existing deck drainage and platform systems is the project.
SCOPE
Surveyed, engineered, built and certified.
Site Survey
On-platform inspection of helideck and supporting structure · As-built dimensional and structural documentation · Photographic record of current condition · Compliance assessment against current applicable code (CAP 437, NORSOK, NMA, NORMAM 27, ICAO Annex 14, regional CAA equivalents)
Gap Analysis Report
Written documentation of compliance gaps · Categorisation by criticality and code clause · Remediation recommendations · Cost and schedule estimates for each remediation option · Acceptable to flag-state authorities and classification societies
Design & Engineering
Structural calculations for proposed modifications · Materials specification · Fabrication drawings and installation procedures · Class submission package · Coordination with platform operator's engineering team
Execution
Yard fabrication at our Singapore facility · Trial-fit before shipping · Containerised shipping to platform · Site supervision by our project team · Bolted-only on-platform assembly where possible · Recertification on completion
BEYOND ANNUAL INSPECTION
Aftersales runs the whole life of the asset.
Annual Inspection
Comprehensive annual inspection package, validated by UKCAA International against CAP 437. Friction testing schedules naturally with the annual visit.
Friction Test
Surface friction measurement on aluminium and steel helidecks, ICAO and UKCAA compliant. Independent service or scheduled with annual inspection.
Safety Net Testing
Drop-load testing, witnessed by classification society. Replacement netting in 20-year warranted marine aluminium.
Component Supply
Foam monitors, DIFFS units, lighting components, tie-downs, signage and netting — direct from the original manufacturer.
Enquiries
Upgrading an existing helideck to current code?
Tell us about the existing deck and upgrade scope. We'll come back to you within two working days.
