Understanding Helipad Winter Safety Systems
Helipads play a vital role for hospitals, corporate campuses, and emergency responders. But winter weather brings challenges—snow and ice can quickly build up, creating risks for both flight operations and ground crews. One of the most reliable ways to keep these surfaces safe and operational is through snowmelt systems.
So, what is snowmelt, and how do these systems fit into heliport operations while staying aligned with FAA guidance? This article breaks down the fundamentals, different types, and highlights key design considerations for today’s helipads and heliports.
About Snowmelt
Snowmelt is an engineered system that uses controlled heat to clear snow and ice from a landing surface. On a helipad, even a thin layer of buildup can create safety risks for pilots and ground crews. By keeping the surface consistently clear, snowmelt systems help maintain safe, operational surfaces in accordance with FAA best practices, ensuring heliport operations can proceed safely in winter conditions.
Helipads at hospitals, corporate campuses, and rescue facilities can’t afford to shut down when winter hits. A custom-designed snowmelt system ensures those surfaces stay operational year-round.
How Snow and Ice Affect Helicopter Operations
Snow and ice can impact helicopter operations in multiple ways:
- Slippery surfaces reduce traction, which can influence rotor clearance, skid contact, and overall load distribution during landing and takeoff.
- Snow accumulation can create uneven or unstable landing zones, increasing the risk of aircraft tilt or shifting under load.
- Ice buildup restricts safe movement for ground personnel, making essential tasks—such as patient transfer, refueling, or securing the aircraft—more difficult and hazardous.
By keeping the landing area consistently clear, snowmelt systems help helipads maintain operational readiness without compromising FAA alignment or safety standards, even during severe winter conditions.
Hydronic vs. Electric Snowmelt Systems
At FEC Heliports, nearly all snowmelt systems we design and install are hydronic, because they offer unmatched efficiency, performance, and long-term value—especially for aluminum helipads. Electric systems are an option that we can offer, if desired.
Hydronic Snowmelt Systems
Hydronic snowmelt systems circulate heated fluid through tubing throughout the helipad surface. This method delivers even, efficient, and reliable heat—perfect for larger pads, aluminum construction, and heavy-duty operations. It’s also the most cost-effective and scalable option long-term.
The majority of FEC installs are hydronic systems. These hydronic snowmelt systems are fully integrated with our aluminum rooftop and ground-based helipads. Designed for maximum thermal transfer, our systems ensure snow and ice never have a chance to accumulate.
Key benefits:
- Consistent heat distribution
- Ideal for aluminum helipads
- Long-term durability
- Easy integration with FEC systems
- Energy efficient for frequent or large-scale operations
Electric Snowmelt Systems
Electric systems use embedded heating elements and are typically found in concrete helipads or environments where hydronic systems aren’t typically utilized. They’re lighter, but often more expensive to operate, and less efficient in large-scale or continuous-use environments. FEC’s aluminum helipads provide an internal cavity through the aluminum slats that can house either hydronic tubing or electric heat cable.
Hybrid Systems
Hybrid snowmelt systems combine electric and hydronic features. While not commonly used with aluminum helipads, they may be appropriate in extreme environments where layered redundancy is needed for mission-critical uptime.
Design Considerations for Helipads
Designing a snowmelt system for a helipad involves several technical and operational considerations:
Surface Material
Materials like aluminum conduct heat extremely well, which helps create even and reliable snow and ice removal across the helipad surface. At FEC Heliports, our snowmelt systems integrate directly into our aluminum helipads, allowing heat to spread uniformly without affecting structural integrity.
Structural Load and Integration
Rooftop or elevated helipads need snowmelt systems that work within the structure’s load-bearing limits. Both electric and hydronic systems can be engineered to meet these requirements while staying aligned with FAA advisory circulars and operational guidelines. This ensures the snowmelt system performs effectively without adding unnecessary weight.
Automation and Sensors
Modern snowmelt systems often use temperature and moisture sensors to manage heating automatically. These sensors allow the system to turn on only when conditions call for it, keeping the pad clear through changing winter weather while supporting energy-efficient operation.
Safe Melt: An Additional Layer of Protection
FEC also offers SAFEMELT, a granular UREA-based product that works fast to melt snow and ice on and around helipads. It’s environmentally friendly, safe for all surfaces and surrounding vegetation, and leaves no residue behind.
Available in 5-gallon and 30-gallon quantities, it’s an ideal supplement to mechanical snowmelt systems during sudden snowfalls or as part of ongoing pad maintenance.
SAFEMELT advantages:
- Won’t damage aluminum, concrete, or asphalt
- Safe for vegetation and runoff
- No cleanup needed
- Easy to store and apply
Real-World Applications Across Industries
While FEC Heliports primarily supports hospitals, snowmelt systems are also used in a variety of other environments that depend on reliable helicopter operations. These include:
- Corporate headquarters: Helipads that support executive travel and operational flights.
- News stations: Rooftop pads for rapid deployment during time-sensitive reporting.
- Hotels and casinos: Helipads that provide reliable access for guests, staff, and logistics.
- Search and rescue operations: Critical landing areas ready for emergency missions.
- Utility companies: Helipads providing winter access to remote infrastructure.
- Energy and industrial sites: Pads supporting oil and gas platforms, wind farms, hydroelectric plants, and mining operations.
- Government and public safety: Helipads for border patrol, coastal surveillance, environmental monitoring, and non-combat military logistics.
- Tourism and recreation: Landing areas for ski resorts, mountain lodges, and remote sightseeing or adventure tours.
Choosing the Right Snowmelt System
Selecting the right snowmelt system involves considering several key factors:
- Pad size and location: Whether the helipad is ground-level, rooftop, or elevated can influence the type of snowmelt system that works best.
- Climate and snowfall: The frequency, intensity, and duration of winter conditions help determine the system’s capacity and heat requirements.
- Operational criteria: How often the helipad is used, including routine helicopter operations and emergency access needs, affects system design and responsiveness.
- System type: Choosing between electric, hydronic, or hybrid snowmelt systems depends on structural limitations, energy efficiency, and operational priorities.
FEC engineers collaborate closely with clients to design custom snowmelt systems that meet these technical requirements.
Quick Answers - FAQs About Snowmelt
What is snowmelt and how does it work on a helipad?
Snowmelt is a system that uses heat to keep the landing surface free of snow and ice. On helipads, it can take the form of electric heating elements, a hydronic system that circulates heated fluid, or a hybrid approach combining both.
Why are snowmelt systems important for helicopter operations?
Snow and ice can affect stability, rotor clearance, and the safety of ground crews. Snowmelt systems keep landing areas clear, allowing helicopter operations to continue safely during winter conditions.
What types of snowmelt systems are available for heliports?
The main options are electric systems, hydronic systems and hybrid systems.
Can snowmelt systems be customized for different industries?
Absolutely. FEC Heliports designs snowmelt systems for hospitals, corporate headquarters, hotels, search and rescue operations, and utility companies. Each solution is tailored to pad size, traffic frequency, climate, and operational criteria, ensuring reliable performance for any industry relying on safe helicopter operations.
FEC Snowmelt Solutions
Ensuring safe, operational helipads during winter begins with understanding what snowmelt is and choosing the right system for your facility. FEC Heliports engineers custom snowmelt systems that meet operational criteria and integrate seamlessly with helipad designs.
Whether you manage a hospital, corporate facility, or another environment that relies on reliable helicopter operations, we’re ready to provide the expertise and engineered solutions you can count on.
Contact us today to learn how we can design and install a custom snowmelt system for your helipad, keeping your operations safe and compliant.