Damage from Lightning
Lightning flashes to, or nearby, structures are hazardous to people, to the structures themselves, their contents and installations.
The possible types of damage can include:
- Injury to living beings due to step and touch voltage;
- Physical damage (fire, explosion, mechanical destruction, chemical and radiological release)
- Failure of internal systems due to lightning electromagnetic impulse (LEMP).
The Need for Lightning Protection Design
Clearly, the application of lightning protection measures can be essential. It’s worth talking to lightning protection consultants to fully assess the risk of lightning damage to your property.
Once the risks have been clearly assessed, different protection measures can be reviewed, and the economic benefits and costs of the protection should be weighed against the risk of actual damage.
It’s important to speak to experts in lightning protection design, to ensure the risk assessment is accurate and the right protection measures are discussed, in line with the overall project parameters.
Risk Assessment is not Everything
Of course, the decision to provide lightning protection can be taken regardless of the outcome of risk assessment. The risk may be minimal, but protection can give reassurance and peace of mind. Equally, the risk may be low, but your project may be subject to certain jurisdiction that requires lightning protection be in place.
Shire Group can carry out the risk assessment of your building new or existing and recommend the correct system to put in place to protect both the building and occupants. Talk to us about lightning protection today.