A practical guide to CAP437, the offshore helideck safety standard. What it covers, why it matters, and how to stay compliant with the right equipment and support.
Helicopter Transport in Offshore Operations: Safety and Efficiency
Offshore industries like oil, gas, and wind energy, rely on helicopters to transport people, equipment, and supplies to and from platforms, ships, and rigs. Given the remote locations and challenging conditions, helicopter transport is often the only practical option for crew changes and urgent supply deliveries.
However, flying to these sites is risky. Weather is unpredictable, landing zones are often cramped, and the risks of turbulence, high winds, or poor visibility are high. In such a high-risk environment, the safety of helicopter landings and take-offs is critical to ensuring operations continue smoothly and safely.
This is where CAP437 – a set of guidelines from the UK Civil Aviation Authority – comes in. CAP437 sets the standards for offshore helicopter landing areas (helidecks), offering a structured approach to helideck safety. While it originated in the UK, it has become a globally recognised benchmark for offshore helicopter operations, used in many countries and across different offshore sectors.
For companies managing rigs, vessels, or offshore operations, complying with CAP437 reduces risks, enhances safety, and ensures smoother, more reliable operations. Following these standards helps reduce downtime, prevent costly accidents, and maintain a strong safety record.
What Is CAP437? Offshore Helideck Safety Standards Explained
CAP437 is a comprehensive set of standards that cover every aspect of offshore helicopter landing areas. It applies to helidecks on oil rigs, vessels, floating platforms, and wind turbine support structures. The guidance addresses everything needed for a safe landing, from design to equipment and operational procedures.
Helideck Design: The helideck needs to be the right size, shape, and surface material to allow safe landings. It also covers the height of the platform, the clearance from obstacles, and space for manoeuvring.
Surface Grip: To avoid the risk of helicopters skidding, CAP437 defines the material and texture of the helideck surface, ensuring it provides the right friction for landing.
Lighting Systems: Especially important for night landings or poor visibility. CAP437 includes specifications for perimeter lights, a lit "Touchdown/Positioning Marking Circle," and a "H" marking for easy identification.
Wind and Weather Indicators: A helideck should have clear indicators of wind direction and speed, and meteorological information should be regularly collected.
Fire and Safety Equipment: The deck must include firefighting systems, as well as escape routes for personnel in case of emergencies.
Helideck Monitoring: CAP437 encourages the installation of systems that track movement and provide real-time data on weather conditions.
The standards are comprehensive and are designed to prevent accidents and ensure helicopters can land safely under any conditions.
CAP437 Updates: How Offshore Helideck Guidelines Have Evolved
CAP437 has been around since 1981, and it has continuously evolved to reflect changes in offshore technology, operational needs, and safety lessons learned from accidents.
Key Updates to CAP437:
1981: CAP437 was introduced to provide clear guidelines for helidecks on UK-based offshore operations.
1993: The second edition integrated recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and lessons from the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and CAA offshore inspections.
1998-2008: CAP437 continued to refine standards, addressing improvements in helicopter technology, lighting systems, and helideck surface designs.
2010: Further updates were made to address specific challenges in offshore wind farms, such as winching areas for helicopter operations.
2012: The introduction of new lighting standards aimed at improving visibility during night landings, alongside the specification for a Helideck Monitoring System (HMS), which tracks movement like heave, pitch, and roll.
2016-2023: The most recent updates include expanded guidance for offshore wind turbine platforms, improved meteorological data requirements, and updated lighting technology.
Each update reflects ongoing research, technological advancements, and feedback from real-world offshore operations. CAP437 is a living document that adapts to new risks and challenges, ensuring the continued safety of helicopter operations.
Why CAP437 Compliance Matters for Offshore Operations
For procurement managers, rig operators, and vessel managers, CAP437 is more than just a set of safety rules. It’s a practical tool for making informed decisions about helideck design, upgrades, and safety equipment.
For Procurement Managers:
Clear Guidelines for Purchasing: CAP437 provides clear specifications for equipment and systems that meet safety requirements. This makes it easier to choose the right products for your helideck.
Cost-Effective Compliance: By following CAP437, you avoid costly mistakes like purchasing incompatible or insufficient equipment. CAP437 helps streamline the process and ensures long-term operational efficiency.
For Rig and Vessel Managers:
Minimise Risks: Adhering to CAP437 minimises the risk of accidents or delays. It ensures that helidecks are designed and maintained to support safe landings, even in challenging weather conditions.
Increase Operational Continuity: Ensuring your helideck meets CAP437 standards helps avoid disruptions in service, especially in emergency situations when fast response times are critical.
Better Crew Safety: Compliance with CAP437 shows that you are prioritizing the safety of your team. This contributes to a safer working environment and can improve crew morale.
When you follow CAP437, you ensure that your operation runs smoothly and safely, reducing the risk of delays and accidents.
CAP437-Compliant Helideck Equipment: Firefighting, Rescue, and PPE
Compliance with CAP437 goes beyond helideck layout and lighting—it also requires being fully prepared for emergencies. Chapter 5 of CAP437 outlines the exact fire-fighting, rescue, and protective equipment that must be available on or near the helideck to keep both personnel and pilots safe.
Whether you’re handling procurement, overseeing operations, or preparing for audits, this equipment forms a critical part of your offshore safety strategy. Flare can help source, inspect, and maintain all of the following to keep you fully compliant.
Primary system – one of the following must be installed:
Deck Integrated Fire-Fighting System (DIFFS): Fully automated foam delivery system
Fixed Monitor System (FMS): Manually operated foam monitors, using ICAO-approved extinguishing agents
Backup extinguishers (required for all helidecks):
Dry chemical powder extinguishers:
23 kg for helidecks up to 16 m
45 kg for 16–24 m
90 kg for over 24 m
CO₂ extinguishers:
9 kg (up to 16 m)
18 kg (16–24 m)
36 kg (over 24 m)
All systems must be capable of reaching the full helideck area immediately upon activation.
Required Rescue Equipment for Offshore Helidecks (CAP437)
Rescue equipment must be stored in a clearly marked, watertight ‘crash box’ located on or adjacent to the helideck. Required contents include:
Adjustable wrench
Rescue axe
Bolt cutters
Large crowbar
Hook or grab tool
Heavy-duty hacksaw (plus six spare blades)
Fire-resistant blanket
Two-piece ladder (for accessing aircraft on its side)
Lifeline (50 mm circumference × 15 m) with rescue harness
Side-cutting pliers (tin snips)
Screwdriver set
Harness knife or cutter (one per helideck crew member)
Fire-resistant gloves (one pair per crew member)
Filter masks (MMMF-rated) for aircraft with composite materials
Recommended additions:
Stretcher
First aid kit
All equipment should meet current regional or national standards and be checked regularly.
Helideck PPE Standards: CAP437-Compliant Safety Gear
Helideck team members must have appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ready and worn before any helicopter landing or take-off. This includes:
Firefighting helmet with visor (EN 443)
Flame-resistant gloves (EN 659)
Protective boots (EN ISO 20345)
Tunic and trousers (EN 469 or BS EN ISO 14116)
Flash-hood (EN 13911)
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), where risk assessments require it
Maintaining Helideck Readiness: CAP437 Best Practices
Every piece of this equipment plays a vital role in offshore safety. To remain compliant and ready, it must be:
Checked regularly
Maintained to manufacturer and regulatory standards
Stored in accessible, marked locations
Supported by trained personnel, prepared to act at a moment’s notice
Flare supports clients in maintaining helideck readiness, from equipment audits to supply, installation, and servicing. Our experienced teams ensure you’re not just compliant but ready when it matters most.
Preparedness saves lives. Make sure your helideck isn’t just compliant on paper, but fully operational in practice.
CAP437 Compliance Support from Flare: Inspection, Equipment & Service
At Flare, we specialise in helping offshore operations meet CAP437 standards. Whether you're designing a new helideck or upgrading an existing one, we can support you through every step of the process.
Our Services Include:
Helideck Inspections: We’ll assess your helideck’s design, equipment, and fire-suppression systems against CAP437, giving you detailed reports and action plans.
Equipment and Installation: We provide and install CAP437-compliant equipment, such as fire safety systems, rescue equipment, and helideck monitoring technology.
Whether you're working on a new offshore project or upgrading your existing equipment, Flare is here to ensure your operations stay safe, efficient, and compliant.
The Future of CAP437: Adapting Helideck Standards for Offshore Wind
As offshore wind farms grow in number, CAP437 is adapting to meet the unique needs of these new platforms. The guidelines now include:
Winching Areas: Safe areas for winching operations on wind turbine platforms.
Smaller and More Compact Lighting Systems: Adjustments for the smaller helidecks typically found on offshore wind platforms.
Floating Wind Platforms: Design and operational standards for floating wind turbines are now part of CAP437, ensuring safe helicopter operations in these new and evolving environments.
Flare is working with offshore wind companies to adapt CAP437 standards to these new technologies, ensuring safety while keeping operational costs under control.
Offshore Helideck Safety: Ensuring Reliable and CAP437-Compliant Operations
CAP437 plays a critical role in offshore safety, offering clear guidelines for managing helidecks, reducing risk, and enhancing operational continuity. By following its standards, companies can prevent accidents, maintain smooth operations, and ensure the safety of their teams.
Whether you’re dealing with rig upgrades, preparing for an audit, or simply ensuring that your helideck has all the equipment it needs to ensure safety, CAP437 offers the framework you need.
Need help with CAP437 compliance? Contact Flare today and ensure your operations meet the highest standards of offshore safety.
About the Author
Dan McLean is an experienced Operations Director at Flare, bringing nearly 20 years of international expertise in the marine, oil & gas industries. With a specialization in fire suppression systems and compliance, Dan oversees end-to-end project delivery across offshore, marine, and industrial sectors. Dan has led projects involving complex fire safety installations in multiple countries and rigorous certification processes. He ensures best practices and operational excellence at every stage.
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