Türkiye’s industrial sector sits across active fault systems, so seismic performance is fundamental to worker safety and operational continuity. Meeting legal requirements is only part of the picture; owners also benefit from reducing downtime, protecting equipment, and preventing secondary hazards such as fires, spills, or process interruptions. The approach below summarizes key elements of compliance, from codes and hazard assessment to structural design, nonstructural anchorage, and ongoing maintenance.

Regulatory framework in Türkiye

Industrial buildings and building-like structures are primarily governed by Türkiye’s national earthquake regulation (commonly known as the 2018 seismic code) and the national earthquake hazard map published by public authorities. Local municipalities and Organized Industrial Zones (OSB) require permits and approvals, including building and occupancy permits, with documentation that demonstrates seismic design, detailing, and construction quality. For specialized nonbuilding components (tanks, silos, racks, cranes, and piping), engineers often reference harmonized European or international standards alongside national provisions to ensure consistent performance targets.

Hazard assessment and site planning

A robust design starts with site-specific hazard parameters taken from the current national hazard map. The geotechnical investigation determines soil class, potential for liquefaction, slope instability, and settlement risks that influence foundation type and seismic demands. Where critical facilities or large campuses are involved, microzonation or site response analysis may be warranted. Thoughtful master planning reduces risk by separating critical utilities, placing hazardous-materials storage away from occupied areas, providing adequate egress routes, and maintaining seismic separation joints between adjacent structures to avoid pounding.

Structural systems and performance targets

Industrial facilities typically fall into higher importance categories because of life-safety and business-continuity considerations. Higher importance classifications translate into stricter drift limits and increased design forces. Common structural systems include ductile reinforced concrete shear walls, steel moment or braced frames, and hybrid solutions that balance stiffness, ductility, and constructability. Roof diaphragms and collectors must be detailed to transmit forces reliably to lateral systems, especially in long-span production halls. Mezzanines, platforms, and crane-support frames require explicit seismic checks. Where continuity is critical, technologies such as base isolation or supplemental damping can be evaluated for lifecycle cost-effectiveness and performance.

Nonstructural components and equipment

Post-earthquake losses in industrial plants often stem from nonstructural failures rather than collapse. Code-compliant anchorage and bracing of heavy equipment, storage racks, control cabinets, and HVAC units are essential. Piping networks should include restraints, flexible connections at equipment, and allowances for differential movement across seismic joints. Electrical systems benefit from cable tray bracing and secured switchgear. For tanks and silos, engineers verify shell-buckling, anchorage pullout, sloshing heights, and nozzle flexibility. Facilities that handle flammable, toxic, or corrosive substances should incorporate automatic shutoff valves, seismic interlocks, and secondary containment sized for credible spill scenarios.

Compliance process and documentation

A clear process helps owners, designers, and authorities align expectations. Typical steps include: defining performance objectives and the seismic design basis; obtaining the geotechnical report and site parameters; preparing structural and nonstructural design calculations; and developing coordinated drawings that show anchorage for equipment, racks, and utilities. Quality plans should specify material testing, welding procedures, concrete placement controls, and special inspections. During construction, hold points enable verification of reinforcement placement, anchor installation, and critical connections. Commissioning should confirm seismic restraints, valve operation, and emergency power. Final packages typically include as-built drawings, inspection records, material certificates, and operation and maintenance guidance.

Existing facilities and retrofit strategies

Many plants predate current regulations or have expanded over time. Screening surveys help prioritize buildings and systems for detailed assessment. Engineers then apply code-consistent evaluation methods to identify deficiencies such as weak stories, inadequate diaphragm collectors, brittle connections, or overstressed anchors. Retrofit options may include adding braced frames or shear walls, column or wall jacketing, diaphragm strengthening, foundation ties, or improved equipment anchorage. Sequencing is crucial in active plants: phased construction, temporary shoring, and planned outages limit disruption. Where feasible, combining seismic retrofit with energy or capacity upgrades can improve overall project value.

Business continuity and emergency preparedness

Code compliance reduces risk, but operational resilience requires planning. Business impact analyses identify critical processes, maximum tolerable downtime, and recovery priorities. Emergency response plans should address evacuation, muster points, hazardous-material containment, and coordination with fire brigades. Stocking spare parts for restraints and valves, training maintenance personnel, and running periodic drills accelerate stabilization after an event. Pre-arranged contracts with inspection and repair contractors can shorten recovery timelines. For large campuses, installing accelerometers or using remote assessment checklists can guide post-event inspections and decisions.

Supply chains, utilities, and interdependencies

Industrial facilities rely on external power, water, gas, data, and transportation. Designers should account for utility interfaces with flexible joints and shutoffs at building entries. Redundant feeds, on-site standby power, and water storage can maintain essential functions. Storage strategies—such as limiting stack heights and using compliant rack bracing—reduce product loss and speed restart. Understanding supplier and customer vulnerabilities supports realistic recovery plans and inventory buffers tailored to seismic risk.

Procurement and contractor coordination

Seismic performance depends on details delivered by multiple parties. Procurement documents should require manufacturers to provide certified calculations, test data, and installation instructions for seismic anchorage. Submittals for anchors, braces, and supports must match site conditions and loads. Coordinating disciplines—structural, mechanical, electrical, process—prevents conflicts that can compromise restraints. Field verification closes the loop: inspectors confirm torque values, embedment depths, weld sizes, and identification of approved hardware before systems are concealed.

Continuous improvement and regulatory updates

Regulations and standards evolve with new research and earthquake observations. Facility owners should track updates to national codes and relevant international references. Periodic reviews of equipment layouts, change-management procedures, and maintenance records help sustain compliance. After any significant earthquake, conduct rapid safety assessments followed by detailed evaluations before reoccupying or restarting sensitive operations. Lessons learned—from near-misses to successful mitigations—should be documented and incorporated into future projects and training.

In Türkiye’s seismically active context, industrial compliance is both a statutory obligation and a practical strategy for safeguarding people, assets, and production. A disciplined process—grounded in current hazard data, robust structural and nonstructural design, and vigilant operations—delivers reliable performance across the full lifecycle of the facility.