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Ensuring proper lightning protection for your new building in the UK is essential for safety and compliance

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A lightning protection system is an essential mechanism devised to mitigate or prevent lightning strikes on buildings. Not only does it shield the external structure from lightning strikes, but it also safeguards internal electrical components and fixtures, significantly reducing the risk of electrocution and fires stemming from lightning strikes.

Here are the key steps you should take:

First and foremost. Find an expert in your area and consult with them on the following:
Conduct a Risk Assessment: Evaluate the risk of lightning strikes based on your building’s location, height, and surrounding environment. This assessment will help determine if lightning protection is necessary.
- Install a Lightning Protection System (LPS): If the risk assessment indicates a need, install an LPS. This typically includes:
- Lightning Rods: Metal rods placed at the highest points of the building to intercept lightning strikes.
- Conductors: Cables that connect the rods to the ground, safely channeling the electrical current away from the building.
- Grounding System: Ground rods buried in the earth to dissipate the electrical energy
- Choose the Right Type of System: There are different types of lightning protection systems, such as:
- Conventional Lightning Rod System: Uses rods, conductors, and grounding to protect the building.
- Faraday Cage System: Encloses the building in a conductive mesh to distribute the lightning current.
- Early Streamer Emission System: Advanced rods that emit upward streamers to intercept lightning before it strikes.
Regular Maintenance and Inspections: Ensure the system is regularly inspected by your qualified expert, and maintained to remain effective. This includes checking for any damage or corrosion in the rods, conductors, and grounding system.
Compliance with Standards: Make sure your lightning protection system complies with relevant standards, such as BS EN/IEC 62305 in the UK.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage from lightning strikes and ensure the safety of your building and its occupants. If you need professional assistance, consider consulting with a specialist in lightning protection systems.

cnimg There are several common misconceptions about lightning protection. Here are a few of the most prevalent ones:

Lightning Rods Attract Lightning: Many people believe that lightning rods attract lightning. In reality, they do not attract lightning but provide a safe path for the electrical discharge to reach the ground if a strike occurs.
Only Tall Buildings Need Protection: While taller buildings are more likely to be struck, lightning can hit any structure. Even smaller buildings and homes can benefit from lightning protection systems.
Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice: This is a myth. Lightning can and often does strike the same place multiple times, especially if that location is a high point or a conductive path.
Surge Protectors Provide Complete Protection: Surge protectors can help protect electronic devices from power surges caused by lightning, but they do not provide complete protection for a building. A comprehensive lightning protection system is necessary for full protection.
Trees Can Protect Buildings: While trees can sometimes intercept lightning, they are not reliable protection. Lightning can travel through the tree and jump to nearby structures, causing damage.
Lightning Protection Systems Are Expensive and Unnecessary: The cost of installing a lightning protection system is relatively small compared to the potential damage and loss from a lightning strike. It’s a worthwhile investment for safety and peace of mind.
Metal Roofs Attract Lightning: Metal roofs do not attract lightning any more than other types of roofing materials. However, if struck, metal roofs can safely conduct the electrical current to the ground, reducing the risk of fire.

Understanding these misconceptions can help you make informed decisions about protecting your building from lightning strikes.

If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask one of our experts found in the directory and the magazine.

Other questions we will be addressing during our campaign on LPS

How does lightning protection affect insurance premiums?
What are the legal requirements for lightning protection in the UK?
How grounding works in more detail

NASC president elected onto Build UK board

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NASC President Lynn Way has been appointed a Specialist Contractor Director of Build UK following an election process.

In this role, Lynn, Financial Director and Company Secretary at Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding, will help provide strategic direction for the leading construction industry body.

Lawyer warns of the challenges of ‘virtual mediation’ as a result of Covid-19

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Organisations that are looking to use mediation as a way to resolve a dispute without the need for costly litigation need to be aware of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic will have on the process in the coming months, and the potential pitfalls and challenges. This is according to Ian Timlin, a specialist dispute resolution and commercial litigation lawyer at Conexus Law, who cautions that the new process may not be as effective and is also less secure unless certain measures are put in place.

BigChange gives MPBI’s modular building business room for expansion

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Modular building specialists MPB Installations (MPBI) has seen a boom in business since implementing the latest mobile workforce management technology from BigChange. The company’s installation and service teams have been equipped with rugged tablets that synchronise with office management software as part of a paperless, real time system. MPBI has won significant new contracts thanks to the instant electronic reporting and services improvements provided by the system.

The importance of hand hygiene on construction sites during COVID-19

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The government is regularly updating its guidance for employers, employees and the self-employed on how to work safely during COVID-19. This includes specific advice for those who work in on run construction sites, and other outdoor facilities.

The green construction recovery

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Decarbonising construction to produce more sustainable and better performing buildings will be crucial to creating a more viable ecological future. Andy Goodwin, Managing Director of sustainable specialist contractor, B&K Structures considers the pitfalls surrounding a green construction recovery.

ASFP announces programme of free passive fire protection webinars

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The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has announced a programme of free passive fire protection (PFP) webinars.

Each will focus on a different PFP system, providing a detailed introduction to the main characteristics of each product type and explaining the product testing, performance and installation requirements. They will also introduce the ASFP best practice guidance related to each product – particularly the ASFP suite of ‘Colour Books’, which are referenced in the Building Regulations and provide definitive guidance on the full range of passive fire protection measures.

Modular Green Nationwide by Benfield ATT

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Founded in 1995 to manufacture Swedish homes for Scandia Hus, ATT (Advanced Timber Technology) was bought in 2002 by Prof. Dr. Michael Benfield. Today, Benfield ATT uses DfMA ( Design for Manufacture & Assembly) to blend their extensive and rather unique knowledge of all forms of timber structure, building science and regulations to meet each client’s conceptual and functional requirements.

ASFP releases new advisory notes on the fire protection of structural steel - 2020

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The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has released a suite of new Advisory Notes which offer guidance on the fire protection of structural steel. The four new Advisory notes address specific concerns identified by industry.

ASFP Advisory Note 18: ASFP Position on Installing Partitioning to the Underside of Structural Steel Sections Coated with a Reactive Fire Protection System highlights concerns related to fixing partitioning directly to columns or beams treated with intumescent paint. It notes that fixing anything directly to either the column/beam will impede the intumescent paint from expanding and may allow heat to transfer to the steel, resulting in localised loss of strength and potential failure in the event of a fire.

New A1 fire rated non-combustible pedestals introduced

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Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading stockist and online retailer of metal rainwater and drainage systems, have introduced a new range of A1 fire rated, non-combustible raised floor pedestals from Harmer to the website. For external balconies, terraces, roof & winter gardens etc. The new range has been designed to comply with the latest building fire regulations released in response to the Hackitt report, following the Grenfell tragedy.

Broker launches new vehicle management division

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Financial services broker, Midlands Asset Finance (MAF), has announced the creation of its new vehicle management and leasing division.

Officially launching today (22nd), the team, known as MAF Leasing, will actively serve both consumers and businesses for the first time in the company’s history.

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