Lightning Protection for Buildings & Structures
Lightning protection for buildings and structures is critical to safeguarding occupants, equipment, and the integrity of the infrastructure. Lightning strikes pose significant risks, including damage to sensitive electronic equipment, potential fire hazards from ignited materials, and interruptions to operations that can affect productivity and safety.
Implementing effective lightning protection systems is essential to mitigate potential issues
- Equipment and infrastructure damage – lightning strikes can cause significant damage to critical equipment, such as HVAC systems, electrical panels, communication networks, control systems, UPS, rectifiers and inverters, fire alarm panels, etc.
- Fire prevention – flammable materials or fuels stored inside the building could ignite if struck by lightning, leading to catastrophic fires.
- Preventing operational disruption – lightning strikes can disrupt building operations, impacting business continuity, productivity, and revenue.
- Visitor and staff safety – lightning strikes pose safety risks to visitors and staff. Effective warning of impending lightning strikes and safety protocols ensure protection of people during thunderstorms.
- Historic / cultural preservation – historic and cultural buildings can be badly damaged, including valuable artifacts and contents, when direct strikes, lightning-induced fires, or electrical damage occurs in thunderstorms. Well-designed protection systems reduce risks and preserve cultural treasures.
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Safeguarding Structures from Lightning Strikes
Installing a lightning protection system can effectively safeguard your building from mechanical damage and fire. High-quality components ensure the safe discharge of current during direct lightning strikes, providing comprehensive protection for your property and facilities.
We put a lot of emphasis on the way our products look when the installation is finished. Your lightning protection system will blend seamlessly with the architecture, minimising its visual impact.
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Lightning Protection for Churches and Cultural Landmarks
A professionally installed lightning protection system for a church or cultural landmark ensures the safety of both the structure, and its equipment by directing lightning's electricity safely to the ground. Given a church's height and distinctive roof construction, each building requires a tailored protection system. Simply protecting the steeple or partial installations are insufficient; a comprehensive system includes strike termination devices, conductor bonds, grounding, and surge protection to provide thorough and effective protection against lightning strikes.
Implementing a complete lightning protection system is crucial to safeguarding churches from the damaging effects of lightning, ensuring both structural integrity and the safety of occupants and equipment inside.
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Lightning Protection for Sports Venues
Stadiums and arenas, renowned for hosting sports events, concerts, and entertainment, are vulnerable to lightning strikes due to their expansive designs. Safety for spectators, athletes, and staff is crucial during storms and emergencies when facing the unpredictable forces of nature.
When designing a lightning protection strategy, there are many things to consider, including fan safety, structural damage, equipment disruptions, and communication and data disruptions.
Comprehensive Lightning Protection Approach
LPI recommends a comprehensive approach to lightning protection. This approach is comprised of four key steps: Direct Strike Protection, Surge Protection, Earthing and Bonding, and Personal Protection. Each of these steps plays a crucial role in the overall protection strategy. LPI's four-step approach must be applied holistically to mitigate all types of lightning risks.
Earthing and Bonding
Provide a low impedance reference earth and bond all conductive elements to minimise voltage differences.