25.02.2010

Siemens Gebze Plant became the first company in Turkey with a "gold" green building certificate (LEED Gold).

The production plant of Siemens A.Ş. which started operation in Gebze Organized Industry Zone in April 2, 2009 has been entitled to obtain the first "gold" green building certificate (LEED Gold) in Turkey. Siemens San. ve Tic. A.Ş. operating in an area of 90 sqm in İstanbul in the fields of energy, industry and health sectors made an investment in an area of 150.000 sqm in Gebze Organized Industry Zone within its growth plans in Turkey.

To be entitled to obtain this certificate, one has to fulfill 7 prerequisites and get at least 39 points. Siemens A.Ş.'s score was as high as 42.

Gelis: A honourable award

Hüseyin Gelis, General Director of Siemens A.Ş. stated that Siemens blazed the trail in many areas within the period of more that 150 years since its first operations in Turkey and added: "We put serious objectives for ourselves at a time when the public demands for environmental protection increase gradually. One of the most important steps we took within this framework was to put the Siemens Gebze Plants in operation which we name as green building. We are proud that the environment friendly applications in our plant has been documented by the LEED Gold certificate. I wish the numbers of production plants granted this award will increase in Turkey".

7 conditions to meet to obtain the certificate

The LEED certificate, Leadership in Energy and Environment Friendly Design, is granted only by the US Council of Environment Friendly Buildings and the following criteria have to be met to obtain it.

· Reducing pollution in construction activities

· Avoiding use of CFC gas in mechanical systems

· Designing electromechanical systems in accordance with ASHRAE 90.1.2004 standards

· Testing and commissioning electro-mechanical systems by an independent and experienced team

· Placing appropriate containers to separately collect the waste material after the building is put into operation.

· Designing the ventilation systems in accordance with the ASHRAE 62.1.2004 standard

· No smoking in the building

It is expected to have 30 percent energy and 70 percent water savings in the plant

Siemens Gebze Plant is at the same time one of the most innovative plants in Europe. The plant aims to create a healthy environment to its employees and it provides import savings in energy costs as a result of efficient use of the natural resources. Up to 30 percent energy saving is expected through the use of highly efficient, technological and innovative systems in applications like lightening, heating, cooling and ventilation. Besides 70 percent water saving is obtained by preferring low water consuming local plants instead of imported grass, using dripping system instead of sprinkler watering system and using in landscape areas the water in the outlet of the biological water treatment system.