Integrated Fire Safety Management at a Major Airport: The Istanbul Airport Case

IGA Istanbul Airport faces unique fire safety challenges due to its vast scale, high passenger traffic, and diverse operations. This paper examines the airport’s integrated fire safety management strategies, with a primary focus on the terminal area and the critical role played by Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) teams. Key elements include rigorous inspection and maintenance programs, comprehensive hot work procedures, and advanced fire detection and suppression systems. These active measures are integrated with passive fire protection systems, such as fire-resistant materials, compartmentalization, and smoke management systems, to provide a holistic approach to fire safety. A critical component of fire safety management is the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC), which serves as the centralized hub for monitoring and coordinating all operations, including emergency responses. AOCC integrates advanced technologies such as CCTV, dashboards, and communication systems, ensuring real-time oversight and rapid decision-making during crises. The fire alert management protocol further ensures that only real fire incidents prompt full-scale responses, minimizing unnecessary disruptions. Over 17,500 fire alerts were managed over a course of approximately 2 years, with only a very small percentage classified as actual fires, underscoring the success of these measures. Additionally, voluntary emergency response teams composed of non-ARFF personnel further enhance preparedness and response capabilities. Although the study considers Istanbul Airport’s overall fire safety framework, its main contribution lies in presenting detailed insights into terminal-level fire safety operations and the coordinated efforts of ARFF teams. The findings not only provide practical examples and insights that can be applied to other large-scale airports worldwide, but also contributes to the literature on fire safety management in modern aviation hubs.