Medical Helipad Project

What is a helipad?

A helipad is an area of land, or a structure used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters. A helipad is different from a heliport. A heliport is a more elaborate facility usually associated with helicopter fueling, maintenance hangars, or passenger waiting areas. A medical helipad, in contrast, is a minimally designed heliport used for the take off and landing of EMS helicopters for the transportation of patients.

A helipad is not just a circle painted on the ground or a raised rooftop structure. The size of the helipad depends upon the size of the largest helicopter or the size parameters (length, width and weight) of a combination of helicopters that may utilize the hospital helipad. Hospital helipads may be constructed using prefabricated aluminum framing systems or concrete and steel. A ground level helipad may be designed with asphalt but it is not recommended. Asphalt has a tendency to soften during hot summer months with repeated usage. The helipad design includes dimensional, obstruction clearances, and load bearing criteria. Other helipad design issues include: lighting, weather/wind systems, fire suppression and other safety systems

Helicopter Rooftop Landing Site at Ryder Trauma Center at University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Medical Center

Rooftop Heliport at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center Trauma Center