From analog to digital – Bosch implements networked public address and voice alarm solution for Munich Airport

Grasbrunn, Germany – With 31.6 million passengers in 2022 and 210 destinations in 63 different countries, Munich Airport is one of Europe’s most important air traffic hubs and has just been named “Best Airport in Central Europe” by Skytrax. Since the airport opened in 1992, Bosch Building Technologies has been an established project partner, with an on-site support team looking after the fire and intruder detection technology, video cameras, and door control system. The analog public address and voice alarm system in Terminal 1 has now been replaced by a wholly IP-based Praesensa system.

The world’s largest Praesensa multi-subnet system

The installation is based on a large-scale and powerful networking concept with multiple subnets – the biggest Praesensa multi-subnet system anywhere in the world to date. The maximum configuration level enables up to 3,000 Praesensa system components and 10,000 audio zones to be managed centrally. The new solution is therefore ideally equipped for future expansions. The Praesensa multi-subnet system includes a redundancy concept that ensures uninterrupted operation in the event of an equipment failure. “We wanted reliable connectivity with good redundancy and a flexible, future-proof solution for Munich Airport. Another ideal feature was the problem-free integration of our 14,000 existing speakers into the new solution. The overall package won us over,” says Michael Huck, project engineer for safety and security systems at Flughafen München GmbH.

User-friendly operation and improved audio quality

The DIN EN 54-certified solution is used for passenger announcements, locating people, emergency alerts and general announcements in Terminal 1. The integration into the airport’s existing management system means the terminal service team and the fire department can pass on information to passengers and staff in a quick, targeted way with improved audio quality. Pre-recorded announcements in 18 languages will be possible in the future. In the event of an alarm being activated, the fire department can use an additional display panel on a 40-inch touchscreen monitor to easily control individual sections of the building and take measures such as a phased evacuation.

Cost savings and efficiency in ongoing operations

Besides undertaking the planning work, the Bosch experts also installed the new solution. The Praesensa systems for the terminal’s 23 tech rooms and its parking garages are installed in over 80 19-inch racks and connected to the existing speakers. Unlike traditional multichannel power amplifiers with a fixed maximum output per channel, the amplifiers in the Praesensa systems offer intelligent, flexible load distribution to all amplifier channels, along with reduced power consumption in standby mode. This often results in less amplifiers being required in many installations and savings of up to 50 percent can be achieved when it comes to space, power, and emergency power supply capacity. The system operation is quick and flexible via a web interface.

Flexible adaptation to future requirements

The full IP connectivity of all components means the new solution in Terminal 1, which is also maintained by the Bosch team on site, can easily be scaled and adapted to future requirements. “When you make an investment, it’s important for the technology to grow along with it, without previous investments going to waste. That is particularly true of an airport, because it’s in a constant state of flux,” adds Huck.