Aluminium Offshore PL - Aluminium Safety Helidecks, Helideck Support Frames and Offshore Structures

Aluminium Offshore is a pioneer in the design and production of aluminium alloy structures. As one of the largest, specialist design-and-build companies in the region, we offer a complete design, supply and assemble package to customers who are looking to upgrade traditional steel and concrete designs to a lighter and more corrosion resistant metal. We offer a range of products including: enhanced safety helidecks, standard helidecks, offshore structures, helideck support frames and Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System (DIFFS).

ENHANCED SAFETY HELIDECKS

The Astech® Enhanced Safety helideck was developed to reduce these risks and make passenger safety a top priority. This deck incorporates a patented, passive fire-retarding system which works by allowing burning fuel to pass through densely packed layers of Explosafe® expanded aluminium mesh. The mesh is packed in batts inside the punched heli-decking which comprises the landing surface. A full-perimeter drainage system ensures that liquids are channeled, sub-surface, from heli-decking to drain.

STANDARD HELIDECKS

The standard helideck is an an all-aluminium helideck with all the features of the Enhanced Safety helideck but without its passive fire suppression system. The decks are fully pre-fabricated and shipped in containers to you for local assembly under our supervision.

• Modular design
• Easier handling
• Light weight
• Faster installation
• Fire resistant
• Stay dry, non-slip surface
• Cost effective

OFFSHORE STRUCTURES

We have an extensive track record in designing, producing and installing large structures in aluminium alloy. In many cases, these structures are unique and 'world-firsts', requiring extensive applied research in material technology, joint configurations, fatigue design and fastening methods.

The usual drivers for encouraging a switch from steel to aluminium are:

• Lower maintenance cost - with marine-grade aluminium alloys, corrosion is reduced to insignificant levels and no painting is required
• Lower weight - aluminium's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio means weight savings of 50% to 70% over equivalent steel structures
• Lower cost - long-term cost reduction through maintenance cost savings; customers also achieve initial cost savings at installation owing to lower lift costs, easier fabrication and faster installation
• Longer life span - the durability of the alloy means that it usually outlasts the structure it is placed on and can be reused on new platforms
• Recycling - aluminium has high residual value and is genuinely and economically recyclable. Recycling aluminium only requires 5% of its formation energy

HELIDECK SUPPORT FRAMES

Carrying forward the advantages of using an aluminium helideck, an aluminium support frame becomes a logical next step.

We design and build these frames and support structures and then pre-fabricate and trial fit them at our factory. They are then packed in containers and shipped to you in knocked down form. Re-assembly requires fasteners only and is an extremely quick process. A typical support frame for a 22m deck will require 1 week for assembly.

Aluminium alloy support frames offer great advantages:

• 60% weight savings over steel equivalent
• Completely maintenance free
• One week assembly (against several months for steel)
• No welding, painting or blasting required
• Light weight reduces lift requirements
• Cost effective against steel
• Re-usable and recyclable

DECK INTEGRATED FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM (DIFFS)

The DIFFS system is designed to provide a safer and more efficient alternative to the current Fixed Monitor Systems (FMS) installed on helidecks.

UK Civil Aviation Authority CAP 437. (5th edition 2005, Ch. 5, para 2.9) allows a Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System ("DIFFS") to be installed as an alternative to a Fixed Monitor System ("FMS"). This DIFFS unit shall either spray foam (in the case of helidecks on manned installations), or water (when used in conjunction with a passive, Enhanced Safety® helideck for unmanned installations and where a power supply source exists).