Voted the “World's Best Airport” at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress 2010 and the recipient of several other prestigious awards, Sabiha Gökçen serves 11 million passengers annually, and is considered to be the largest ‘earthquake-proof’ building in the world.

It is the second international airport built to serve Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and 2010's ‘European Capital of Culture’. It predominantly serves charter airlines and offers inland connections, low-price flights, short distances and is known for its keeping to the schedule. Its original annual capacity was 3.5 million passengers per year but in mid-2008, it was decided to extend the airport quite considerably in order to upgrade its international capability. The new 185,000 square-metre structure is capable of withstanding an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 on the Richter scale and also remaining operational afterwards.

Safety and security were naturally vital issues for the developers, along with energy efficiency, which is why Siemens was enlisted for the installation of various systems. Due to the size of the terminal building, the energy issues are extremely complex. The airport terminal has a large number of windows, causing solar heating and increasing the amount of light inside. It was therefore important to have an intelligent system that monitors what is happening outside and then compensates automatically inside. The installed Desigo building automation system from Siemens does exactly this by measuring 11,000 data points. It accordingly will raise blinds, turn off lights, reduce heating, or increase air conditioning, therefore saving energy and ensuring a comfortable environment for passengers and staff inside the terminal.

The safety and security system required the installation of the MM8000 danger management system, along with a Sinteso fire detection system, both from Siemens. The total system comprises 9,000 fire detectors combined with 400 carbon monoxide gas detectors, together with 200 video surveillance cameras and 28 digital recorders from Siemens to provide maximum security for all passengers and staff alike. All has been integrated into the danger management system, which clearly displays alarms, messages and statuses of all connected systems using a standardised format according to safety priorities. Its modular architecture makes it both cost-effective and scalable. Single as well as multiple-station applications, whether local or remote, are supported. In the event of evacuation, the integrated voice notification system using 4,600 loudspeakers, is brought into action.

Another feature of the project was a Totally Integrated Power (TIP) approach from Siemens which offers power distribution from the medium-voltage supply right though to the socket outlet, providing maximum control and therefore optimised safety. In safety terms, the TIP, which includes low voltage Sivacon switchgear, 140 motor control centres, and universal metering cabinets, measures the stability of the energy network, helping to detect any irregularities in the energy distribution system before it causes fire or a power failure. In terms of energy efficiency, an increasingly critical factor in operating airport terminal buildings, the TIP also provides the means to monitor and control the airport’s energy consumption.

These integrated systems of security, fire safety and building automation form the heart of a typical total building solution from Siemens. All the disciplines are effectively and flexibly coordinated to make the airport buildings safer, more comfortable, more efficient – and thereby more economical.

The solution can be easily adapted to changes in usage and requirements or expanded at anytime, therefore protecting the original investment in the longer term.