Case Study - St. Agnes Hospital Helipad

“GacoFlex UA-60 was selected because of its excellent color retention and tough durability.”

In 2005, St. Agnes Hospital celebrated the opening of a brand new North Wing. The new wing nearly doubled the size St. Agnes, and provided numerous improvements in the hospital’s facilities and services.

As one of the final steps toward completion of the new North Wing, a helipad was added in the summer of 2005.

Gaco Western was selected to provide the coating system for the new helipad. The coating materials would be applied by Gaco Western approved applicator Fresno Roofing Company.

Gaco Western Representative Warner Hobart specified GW-14-U Heavy Duty System, designed to withstand helicopter traffic. First, GacoFlex urethane sealer U-5677 was applied over the new concrete roof. The sealer was followed by a primer coat, using E-5320 epoxy primer.

Two basecoats were applied next, in order to ensure the helipad would be able to withstand the wear and tear of landing helicopters. The first basecoat of UB-64 urethane was applied by roller and allowed to cure. The second coat was applied by trowel, and included crushed walnut shell to aid in achieving the correct membrane thickness.

When the basecoat had cured, the Fresno Roofing crew undertook the detailed work of laying out the pattern for the Helipad. When the lines were drawn for the helipad markings, work on applying the top coat could begin.

GacoFlex UA-60 aliphatic urethane was selected for the topcoat because of its excellent color retention and tough durability. An FAA requirement designates specific colors to mark a helipad landing, and it was important that the applied coating not fade.

The UA-60 topcoat was mixed with walnut shell and troweled in the colors of shale, white, and red to achieve the required pattern of a white cross with an “H” set in a red circle.

This final step completed the application of the GW-14-U Heavy Duty System. With the opening of the new wing, the helipad was put to use supporting the vital work of St. Agnes Hospital.

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