Color finishing and anti-slip treatment of helicopter decks – Offshore drilling platforms

In offshore operations where helicopter traffic is essential for the accessibility of drilling platforms, the condition of the helideck is of crucial importance. The deck surfaces are exposed to exceptionally harsh conditions, such as wind, salt spray, temperature fluctuations, mechanical stress and, not to forget, pollution by guano (bird droppings). This accumulation of organic material not only poses a risk to the structure of the surface, but also to the safety of pilots and personnel during take-offs and landings.

In order to address these risks and to ensure the functional and visual quality of helidecks, Bayards, a specialist in aluminium constructions for the offshore industry, has carried out extensive tests with the coating product 2C Colour Coat, in combination with anti-slip granules. The aim of this test setup was to arrive at a sustainable, safe and maintenance-friendly solution for treating helidecks at sea.

Purpose and reason

The applied test aimed to:

• Apply a durable, coloured coating to aluminium helidecks
  
  
• Provide the surface with a permanent anti-slip structure
  
  
• Minimise guano adhesion for easier cleaning
  
  
• Maximise safety during landing procedures
  
  
• Ensure weather and corrosion resistance in a maritime climate

By combining a strongly adhering coating with functional granules, a surface is created that is resistant to slip hazards, wear and contamination – without compromising visibility or structure.

Technical Approach

1. System Structure
The system consists of:

• 2C Colour Coat – a hard-wearing, two-component coating with excellent adhesion to metal substrates such as aluminium
  
  
• Anti-slip granules – fine, hard-wearing infill granules applied to the wet coating to provide a robust, rough surface

2. Test Application
Bayards tested the system under realistic conditions on helipad components, looking at:

• Mechanical adhesion
  
  
• Abrasion resistance under footwear and helicopter wheels
  
  
• Ease of cleaning with guano and salt deposits
  
  
• Resistance to UV and sea air
  
  
• Visual visibility of colour in low light or mist

Importance of anti-slip and guano protection

Guano is not only acidic and aggressive to materials, but also forms a slippery, potentially dangerous layer on surfaces. Combined with sea wind, moisture and oil residues, this increases the risk of slipping for personnel and unstable landing conditions for helicopters.

This coating solution:

• Reduces the adhesion of guano, so that it washes off faster or is easier to clean
  
  
• Creates a rough surface that provides sufficient grip in all weather conditions
  
  
• Protects the underlying aluminium structure against corrosion and erosion

 

Specifically for offshore environments

Drilling platforms at sea place extreme demands on all materials used:

• High humidity and salty environment cause accelerated wear
  
  
• No or limited access to water and power makes maintenance complex
  
  
• Operational continuity requires that helidecks always remain safely usable

The selected test combination of 2C Colour Coat with anti-slip granules meets these requirements: quick to apply, high load-bearing capacity and easy to maintain.