HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance - 4615-1965 - Setting Physical Reuirement For Construction Of Heliports And Helistops. - 01/28/1965.li\\ t~ \f)[.
fd-
\
BDS:bw --------~~~---=======~==~o~,--~z~e~-7\~q~~s~~~+-
oRnrNANcE NO. 4615
0 2.-\\ -l q (0-5----n
AN ORDINANCE SETTINQ OUT THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC,~~ PRIVATE AND EMER.,.
GENCY HELICOPTER LANDING FACILITIES~ REQUIRED APPROACH AND DE.:.
PARTURE PATHS~ ALTERNATE LANDING AREAS~ ZONING RESTRICTIONS~
SETTING OUT PROCEDURES FOR THE APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTIO ~
OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF SUCH FACILITIES, ESTABLISHING MINI ... ·
MUM FLIGHT LEVELS OVER THE CITY OF LUBBOC~ PROVIDING FOR THE
USE AND OPERATION OF HELICOPTERS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF
LUBBOCK AND PROVIDING THAT ANY VIOLATION SHALL BE PUNlSHED BY
A FINE OF NOT EXCEEDING $200. 00 .. AND DIRECTING THE PUBLICATION
OF THE DESCRIPTIVE CAPTION TOGETHER WITH THE PENALTY PROVJSION.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCKa TEXAS
THAT:
SECTION 1.
Section 3$8 of the Code of the City of Lubbock is hereby repealed in its
entirety,~~ and a new Article 4 entitled "Heliports and Helistops'~ in Chapter 3 of
the Code of Ordinances~ City of Lubbock, Texas is hereby adopted and the
following sections are numbered consecutively therewith.
SECTION 3t.29: DEFINITIONS:
For all purposes of this Ordinance the following terms shall have the
meaning ascribed thereto.
A. Heliport ... A heliport is an area that is used or intended to be used
for the landing and take~off of helicopters or other steep gradient or rotary
winged aircraft and may include any or all of the areas or elevated surfaces
which are appropriate or reasonably required to accomodate these functions. A
heliport may be either puhl.ically owned and/ or operated or privately owned and/ 01
operated. Such areas may include passenger# cargo., maintenance and overhaul
facilities# fueling service# storage space# tiedown area,. hangers and other
accessory buildings and open spaces.
B. Helistop ... A helistop is an area that is used or intended to be used
by helicopters or other steep gradient or rotary winged aircraft for the purpose
of take•offs and landings. A helistop may be either puhlically owned and/or
operated or privately owned and/or operated. A helistop may be used for the
pickup or discharge of passengers and cargo but shall not include maintenance..,
overhaul or fueling services and facilities.
C. Approach and Departure Path • An approachOIIICleparture path is a
path for flight in a plane leading outward and upward from the end of the take.,.off
and landing area under which adequate open areas need to be provided to permit
a safe landing in the event of a malfunction or other emergency.
D. Take ... off and Landing Area @0 The taket.off and landing area is
that area where a helicopter or other steep gradient or rotary winged aircraft
. . . .. I
actually lands and takes off. It includes the touchdown area and the nece~sary
parts of the peripheral area to provide clearance for take$off, landing and other
maneuvers.
E. Peripheral Area 4!0 The peripheral area is an obstruction free
area encompassing all sides of the actual touchdown and operations areas.
F. Teuchdown area .,. The touchdown area is a marked and/or lighted
area within the landing and takeeoff area of a heliport or helistop where the heli~
copter or other steep gradient aircraft will actually alight.
G. Helicopter "' A helicopter is a rotocraft which depends for its
support and motion in the air principally upon the lift generated by one or more
power driven rotors that rotate on substantially vertical axes. This definition is
intended to include rotary winged aircraft whose rotor is turned either by engine
power or by air forces resulting from the motion of the craft through the air
and/ or other aircraft now or hereafter developed capable of steep gradient
flight (near vertical ascents or descents.)
H. F. A. A • .,. Means the Federal Aviation Agency of the United
States Government or its successor.
SECTION 3ioo30: CLASSIFICATION:
A. Helicopters are hereby classified according to the Federal Aviatio
Agency maximum certificated.1gross takeeoff weight as follows:
Class 1 o& Up to 6, 000 lbs.
Class 2 o& 6., 000 to 12., 500 lbs.
Class 3 • 12., 500 to 20., 000 lbs.
SECTION 3•31: SIZE REQUIR.EMENTS FOR HELIPORT·OR HELISTOP
LANDING FACILITIES:
A. Ground Level Facilities ... l'he following minimum ground level
clear areas are required for the classes of helicopters shown. These minibmm
clear areas contempiate operation of only one (1) helicopter at a time on the
facility. If multiple operations are to be conducted, additional clear area to
provide clearance for parking of helicopters not in use shall be provide~
Class 1 Helicopters .& 75~ x 75~ clear area ·
Class 2 Helicopters ~ 85t x 85:t clear area
Class 3 Helicopters E-100-. x lOOt clear area
or an equivalent circular area. The surface of the ground level heliport or heli~
stop shall be constructed of a material that will not erode with consistent usage
and shall be prepared in a manner that will prevent blowing dust,. rocks.., gravel
or other debris.
B. Elevated or Roof~op Facilities • The following minimum
elevated or roofoetop clear areas are required for the classes of helicopters
shown. These minimum clear areas contemplate operation of only one (1)
helicopter at-a time on the facility. If multiple operations are to be conducted,
additional clear area to provide clearance for parking of helicopters not in use
shall be provided:
Class 1 Helicopters .., 40» x40t cl.e.ar area
Class 2 Helicopters ., 5~ x 5~ clear area
Class 3 Helicopters ~ 6Q.t x 60~· clear area
Where a load~distributing pad is required or is to be installed to meet roofliirtop
stress requirements, the actual touchdown area may be smaller if stress requiree
ments of the building structure dictate. In the event a smaller touchdown pad is
used, the clear areas noted above must be maintained as a minimum around the
center of the touchdown pad.
1. Structural Design ""' Where helicopter landing facilities are
built on elevated structures 0r roof8tops • the minimum strength of the contact
surface shall be great enough to withstand at least 75% @f the gross weight of the
largest helicopter authorized to use such elevated facilities on one square foot of
that surface. These structural requirements., as set out above., shall be certified
by a Texas licensed professional engineer in the form of a certificate. It shall be
the applicantts duty to provide to the Airport Board a certificate of compliance
with such structural design requirements with his application for an elevated
heliport or helistop.
2. Exits ... Two (2) or more exits or fire escap·es., or both., as re~
quired by Chapter 33 of the Building Code of the City of Lubbock shall be provided
from any elevated or roof~op facilities. They shall be located a minimum of 90°
apart to prevent. so far as possible, both exits or fire escapes being simultaneous
blocked.
SECTION 3-..32: FENCING :
A. Ground Level ..-There shall be a fence constructed of noneclimbl!'
able material surrounding the landing area. Each such fence shall have a minimu
height of 361' to prevent entrance of unauthorized personnel. For every 1211 increas
in the height of the fence about the minimum 36"., there shall be a corresponding
lOt increase in each direction of the clear area required in Section 4.
B. Elevated Roof•Top Facilities ~There shall be a fence constructed
of non•climbable material., of at least 3611 in height which shall separate all public
areas, including the public entrance or entrances to the roof, from the landing are •
Separation of the public areas from the landing area on roof~op facilities elevated
as or more above roof level may be provided by peripheral fencing constructed of a
non-..climbahle material and supported by posts at least 3~ in length radiating from
the periphery of the elevated platform. The posts should be set 5t apart at an
angle of 6QO outward from a line perpendicular to the surface of the elevated plat~
form. A guard ra:il or 36 11 fence constructed of non~climbable material shall be
provided at the edge of the roof~op if no protecting parapet exists.
c. Signs ... The fencing separating public area from the landing area
shall bear signs reading:
~·DANGER ~ HELIPORT ~ KEEP OUT" or "DANGER .-. HELISTOP
KEF;R. OIITU
... .. .
The number and location of these and any other warning signs that may be require
shall be as directed by the Airport Board.
SECTION 3..,33: APPROACH • DEPARTURE PATHS:
Helicopter approach edeparture paths should be in line with prevailib.g
winds. They shall be clear of obstructions at a slope of 8-:1 projecting outward
and upward from the ends of the taket!:toff and landing area. In the event that
obstructions necessitate curved paths~ such paths should clea~ the obstruction
laterally by at least 500 feet. All facilities shall be provided with at least one
FAA approved approach~eparture path. FAA approval of each approach.edepartu e
path is required~
SECTION 3~34: ALTERNATE LANDING AREAS:
Immediately adjacent to each facility, there should be an area or
areas large enough to accept the helicopter from each approach"'<iepa'.rture path in
the event of malfunction. Such areas should not contain any public ways. Accept
able alternate landing areas are: vacant land, railroad tracks, or clear areas
adjacent to rivers, canals, lakes,. highways or freeways. FAA approval of the
alternate landing areas is required.
SECTION 3•35: MARKINGS:
A. All public facilities shall bear the standard FAA day and/or nigh
marldng and/ or lighting.
B. Private facilities may be unmarked, marked with the FAA s ymb 1,
or marked with a three.-.foot diameter spot or circle. If night operations are to b
conducted, such facilities must be lighted in accordance with approved FAA
practice. Marldngs with reflective paint or tape are acceptable where no immet!:t
diately adjacent obstruction exists.
C. Each roofM'f:op facility shall have painted thereon, in figures not
less than two feet in heightto the maximum gross weight of ,the helicopter for whi
the roof is stressed to support.
SECTION 341!:t36: EQUIPMENT.:
A. Each heliport and heJEtop shall be provided with at least two
portable fire extinguishers located remotely from each other providing the follow
ing total minimum amout of dry chemical based on the helicopter dassifications
set forth in this ordinance:
Class 1 .. 60 lbs.
Class 2 ~ 100 lbs.
Class 3 ~ 150 lbs.
Eievated heliports and elevated helistops shall, in addition to the dry chemical
type fire extinguishers, be provided with a wet standoiopipe system, equipped with
two 2 1/2u national standard thread fire hose connections, with lengths of approv
2 1/2 1~ fire hose capable of reaching the outer edges of the roof area on which the
. ·.
facility is located. The riser piping system provided in the wet stand,..pipe syste
shall be 2 1/2" or larger piping .. and equipped with a 2 1/211 national standard
thread siamese fire department connection at street level. The fire hoses shall
also be equipped with approved fog_,spray type nozzles which shall produce varia
dispersing patterns. Either a non~ay telephone shall be provided or a fire alar
box installed .. or some other approved method of communication shall be Set•up
to provide a method of fire alarm.
B. Lighting and/ or high visibility reflective markings shall be pro.,
vided for any restrictive operations during hours of darkness or low visibility.
c. Roof...t;op heliports and helistops shall have provision satisfactor
to the Airport Board for runoff removal of gasoline and similar type spillage. Su
facilities shall not drain into the City sewer system.
SECTION 3837: DESIGNATION OF HELIPORTS AND HELISTOPS:
A. To provide for the mevement, operation, and landing of heli.,.
copters over and within the territorial limits of the City of Lubbock, the Airport
Board is here by authorized, empowered, and directed either acting on its own
motion or upon application as hereinafter provided in Section 3•40 to make re.,
commendation for the location and designation of heliports and helistops to the
City Council. upon finding that:
1. A public convenience and necessity requirement exists for such
heliport or helistop, and
2 .. FAA approved approach and departure paths and adequate
approach and departure zones are provided, and
3. FAA has granted airspace clearance, and
4. Adjoining property will not be substantially injured, and
5. The heliport or helistop will not substantially alter the essential
character of the zoning of the adjacent property, and
6. The applicant has ownership of the property to be used or the
contractural right to control the property and comply with all terms or conditions
of the Airport Board approval of such heliport or helistop .. and
7. The applicant will provide adequate personnel or other control
methods to police the landing area and to prevent unauthorj.zed persons from
entering the landing area, and
B. The applicant will provide that adequate personnel trained in the
use of the fire.,.fighting equipment will be in attendance during flight operations~ a d
9. The applicant will assure that an emergency telephone, not re ...
quiring deposit of coins, shall be available, and
10. The applicant will furnish evidence of adequate public liability
and property damage insurance in minimum limits satisfactory to the Airport
Board, and
11. The applicant will permit public use of the heliport or helistop
upon fair and reasonable terms and conditions without unjust discrimination, and
12. That all the requirements of this Ordinance have been and will
continue to be complied with, and that no other reason exists to prevent the
application from being approved by the City Council.
B. Upon receipt of the recommendation of the Airport Board which
shall be accompanied by a transcript containing a copy of the application, if any,
and all supporting evidence delivered to said Board in support of such application
the City Council may, after consideration of the recommendation of the Airport
Board, order and conduct a public hearing to determine whether the construction,
establishment and maintenance of a public or private heliport or helistop will be
in harmony with the spirit and purpose of this Ordinance and will substantially
serve the public welfare and convenience without substantial injury to neighboring
property or alteration of the essential character of the area wherein the proposed
heliport or helistop is sought to be located. In the event that a public hearing is
ordered by the City Coumil public notice of such hearing shall be given as may
be then directed in the order of the City Council.
C. If it is determined by the City Council with or without a public
hearing that the establishment of a public or private heliport or helistop is
necessary to serve the public welfare and convenience, such location and designa
tion shall be made by Ordinance which may or may not subject the location,
construction, maintenance and operation of such heliport or helistop to any addi ...
tional terms or conditions which may be deemed necessary to protect the health,
welfare and safety of the general public and which may be cumulative to the
provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3"38: APPLICATION FOR ESTABLlSHMENT OF HELICOPTER
FACILITIES:
Application for the establishment of a public, private or emergency
heliport or helistop shall be made to the Director of Aviation for processing by
the Airport Board of the City of Lubbock. Such application shall include:
1. Name and address of the applicant.
2. A statement as to whether the applicant is an individual, corpora ...
tion, partnership or a public entity.
3. A description of the location (including maps, plats or other
material required by the Airport Board) of the proposed heliport or helistop.
4. The kind and type of heliport or helistop operation proposed:
public, private or emergency.
5. The kind and type of facilities proposed including size of the
clear area, proposed approach and departure paths, method of erosion control,
fire fighting equipment, and servicing facilities,
6. FAA airspace approval including FAA approved approach and
departure paths.
7. Ownership or other leasehold control of the property to be used
as a heliport or helistop.
8. Any other information required by the Airport Board.
SECTION 3•39: AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIAL FLIGHTS:
The Director of Aviation may authorize, after FAA approval, land
owner approval, and proof of safety control over the area, emergency heliports
and helistops for life.,saving or disaster relief purposes, and casual or infrequent
landings or take•offs in areas other than those officially designated as heliports
and helistops. In no event sh'all flight operations for casual or infrequent landing
and take~offs commence until signs are posted in the area giving adequate warn·
to the public of the authorization.
SECTION 3e40: REVOCATION OF HELIPORTS AND HELISTOPS:
Whenever any authorized heliport or helistop does not meet the
standards set forth by this Ordinance or other Ordinances pertaining thereto
upon routine inspection by the Director of Aviation1 Fire Chief,. Police Chief,
the Building Inspector and/or the Director of Planning and Zoning, or their
respective designated representatives, the Director of Aviation shall declare
the facility unsafe and order the closing of such heliport or helistop .. for whatever
time is necessary to correct the unsafe conditions. In the event such unsafe
conditions are not corrected within sixty (60) days after the date of the closing
of the facility, it shall be deemed abandoned and no use or occupancy;~ for heliport
or helistop purposes shall be allowed without approval of the City Council.
SECTiON 3•4H' DUTY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AVIATION:
It shall be the duty of the Director of Aviation to enforce the require
ments of this Ordinance and such further requirements as may be promulgated an
adopted by the Airport Board or City Council as being necessary to prdectihe
health, welfare and safety of the general public with respect to the designation~
location~ construction, operation and maintenance of heliports, helistops and
helicopters.
SECTION 3e42: HELICOPTER OPERATIONS PROHIBITED:
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to land a helicopter at any
location within the City Limits not designated as a public. private or emergency
heliport or helistop,. or without authorization for a special flight.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a helicopter over
the City Limits of the City of Lubbock at any altitude below that altitude which will
permit a safe landing outside the congested area of the City via auto rotation in
the event of complete and total power failure but in no event less than 500b above
the highest obstruction in the path of flight except as required for take ... offs or
landings at a designated heliport or helistop.
c. It shall be unlawful to operate any heliport~ helistop~ or helicopte
in violation of any of the provisions and requirements of this Ordinance.
D. It shall be unlawful to allow unauthQrized persons within the
peripheral area of any public, private or emergency heliport or helistop during
take...,.off and landing.
E. All helipopters using any public, private or emergency heliport
or helistop within the City Limits of the City of Lubbock shall comply with the FAA
Regulations, as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended, governing th
operation of heliports, helistops or helicopters. and the failure to do so sh~ be
unlawful.
SECTION 3~3; VIOLATION:
An:y violation of this Ordinance shall be punishable by fine not to exce
$200.00 for each violation.
SECTION 2. REPEAL:
All sections of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lubbock in conl ....
fl.ict with this Ordinance are hereby expressly repealed.
SECTI@N 3. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE:
Should any part of this Ordinance be held invalid, that portion is
hereby declared to be separable and all other portions not declared invalid shall
remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. PUBLICATIO~
The City Secretary shall cause the publication of the caption and
penalty clause of this Ordinance once a week for two cQftSecutive weeks in a news..,
paper regularly published in the City of Lubbock as an alternative method of publieo
cation as provided by law.
L
AND IT IS SO ORDERED
Passed by the City Council on first reading this 28th day of January
1965.
Passed by the City Council on second reading this 11th day of February
1965.
MAX TIDMORE~ Mayor
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
10~