Heliport On Roofs Of Hospitals

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31276, 24 January 1967, Page 3

Heliport On Roofs Of Hospitals

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 23. Consideration will be given—in certain cases—to providing helicopter landing facilities on the roofs of this country’s hospitals, according to the Minister of Health (Mr McKay).

He said helicopter facilities for hospitals generally appeared to be best provided at ground level, but this did not discount particular cases where such a set-up might be the only solution.

The question o f room for landings was raised last month by the member for Waitakere, Dr. A. M. Finlay. In a letter to the Minister he urged that consideration be given to roof landing facilities for emergency cases. Replying to Dr. Finlay, Mr McKay advised: “In closelybuilt areas where limitation of available ground space may be a problem, consideration will certainly be given to provision of roof-landing facilities for hospitals.” Concrete Roof Mr McKay said, however, that it would be necessary to provide a concrete roof with adequate strengthening to accept a helicopter landing.

He said this would add weight at the top of the structure where it was desirable to lighten the loads in order to reduce the effect of earthquakes. If such provision were made, it would be necessary to extend at least one bed

lift, up to roof level, with subsequent extensions to the superstructure. Floor Below “There could be considerable discomfort for patients located on the floor below such a landing area,” Mr McKay said. He said the size of the landing pad required could well be too large for most buildings. A minimum cize is 75ft x 75ft for even the smallest helicopter. Building Shapes Not all building shapes would be ideal as turbulence could be created by some shapes, according to the Minister. Approach requirements and other matters which would need Civil Aviation Department approval might also be a restrictive factor in the location of roof heliports. While due weight must be given to particular cases where roof landing facilities may be the only solution, in general helicopter facilities would appear to be best pro-

vided at ground level, which could prove less restrictive of planning and development, and probably create less disturbance to patients,” Mr McKay said.