What is the chain link fence for on a heli-pad (helicopter landing area)?

Question

Over the past few weeks I have watched a construction crew secure a heli-pad to the roof of the local hospital. Now near completion, they are surrounding the landing area with chainlink fence laying horizontally around the perimeter. Why?? What purpose does this serve?

Answer 1

If you look closely you will see that it isn't parallel with the helipad, but the outer edge of the fence is actually slightly higher than the helipad surface, like the outside edges of a dinner plate are angled upwards, and for the same reason, to help prevent something (especially a person) that is pushed to the edge by the rotor down-wash from falling off the building.

Here's a link to show you what this may look like. These guys are playing tennis on a helipad.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/vi...

Answer 2

Im gonna venture a guess here.

Maybe so nobody gets blown off the heli pad from the forces generated by the helicopter.

Answer 3

I assume the helipad is somewhat elevated and fence looks to be a permanent installation and not pert of the construction the idea being that if the helicopter has a problem and roll over the fence might contain the roll over and keep it from falling.

Answer 4

It's for safety. So a person can't "roll" off the roof. When those blades are movin there's alot of wind. If caught off guard ya won't fall off the edge.