LIGHTNING CONSULTANTS UK

General information 

Is Lightning Protection needed?

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In the UK, the installation of lightning protection systems on buildings is not always mandatory, but there are certain cases where it is highly recommended or even required, depending on the type of building and its use. Here are the key factors to consider:

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1. Building Type and Usage
High-Risk Buildings: Certain buildings, such as those that store flammable materials, chemicals, or sensitive equipment, may require a lightning protection system to safeguard against potential damage or fire hazards caused by a lightning strike.

Tall Buildings: Taller structures are at greater risk of being struck by lightning, so a lightning protection system is often installed to prevent damage. Skyscrapers, communication towers, and high-rise buildings typically have such systems.

Historic Buildings: Many historic or listed buildings in the UK may not require a modern lightning protection system by law, but they often have them to preserve the structure and prevent damage to priceless artifacts and historical materials.

2. Regulations and Standards
BS EN 62305 Standard: The UK follows the European standard BS EN 62305 for lightning protection. This standard outlines the risk assessment process for lightning protection. It considers factors such as the type of building, location, and its susceptibility to lightning strikes.

Risk Assessment: If a building is deemed to be at high risk of lightning strikes based on this assessment, then the installation of a lightning protection system will be recommended. This includes buildings in areas with frequent thunderstorms or those with sensitive electronic equipment or hazardous materials.

3. Insurance Requirements
Some insurers may require the installation of lightning protection systems as a condition for coverage, especially for commercial buildings, sensitive facilities, or properties that have a high risk of fire due to lightning strikes.

4. Electrical and Safety Considerations
Protecting Electronics: For buildings with sensitive electrical systems, including data centers or hospitals, lightning protection is essential to prevent electrical surges that could damage critical equipment.

Fire Risk: Lightning can cause fires, especially in buildings with wooden or combustible materials. A lightning protection system can prevent these types of fires by safely guiding the strike to the ground.

5. Building Standards and Local Regulations
While there isn’t a blanket law mandating lightning protection systems for all buildings, certain local building codes or regulations may apply depending on the specifics of the building.

In Conclusion:
While it's not always legally required to install lightning protection systems in every building in the UK, it is highly recommended in certain circumstances, particularly for high-risk, tall, or sensitive buildings. If you’re unsure about whether your building needs one, conducting a risk assessment based on the BS EN 62305 standard is a good place to start. Consulting with us will help determine the best course of action for your property. 

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The Hazards of Lightning

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Lightning strikes can cause several serious problems, ranging from physical damage to electrical disruptions and even safety hazards. Here are the main issues caused by lightning strikes:

1. Fire Damage

• Structural Fires: A lightning strike can cause a fire in a building by igniting the materials it strikes, especially in wooden buildings or roofs with flammable materials.

• Wildfires: In outdoor environments, lightning can spark wildfires, especially in dry conditions where vegetation is easily ignited.

2. Electrical System Damage

• Power Surges: Lightning strikes can cause massive electrical surges, potentially damaging electrical systems, appliances, and equipment. These surges can be particularly dangerous for sensitive electronics like computers, televisions, and data storage systems.

• Electrical Fires: The surge of electricity from a lightning strike can cause wiring to overheat, leading to electrical fires.

• Circuit Breaker Trips: Lightning strikes may cause circuit breakers to trip, temporarily shutting down electrical systems. However, repeated surges could result in permanent damage to circuit breakers or transformers.

3. Physical Damage to Buildings and Infrastructure

• Structural Damage: Lightning strikes can directly damage the building or structure by hitting it and causing physical harm to the exterior or interior. For example, cracks in walls, damaged roofs, or even the destruction of building components may occur.

• Damage to Communication Equipment: Lightning strikes can also affect communication towers and equipment, disrupting radio signals, mobile networks, and other forms of communication.

4. Harm to People

• Injury or Death: A direct lightning strike can cause serious injury or even death. The intense voltage can cause burns, cardiac arrest, nervous system damage, or internal injuries. The strike can also result in injury through secondary effects like being thrown by the shockwave or falling debris.

• Induced Injuries: Even if someone isn't directly hit by lightning, the electrical current traveling through the ground (from a nearby strike) can still cause injury. These are called "side flash" injuries, where the electrical current jumps to a person standing nearby.

5. Damage to Electronic Devices and Systems

• Loss of Data: Lightning can strike electrical circuits or communication lines that are connected to sensitive devices, leading to data loss or destruction of important information.

• Corruption of Software: In some cases, lightning strikes can also corrupt software and cause operational failures in machines, making systems unreliable.

6. Disruption of Utilities

• Power Outages: A lightning strike can knock out power lines, leading to widespread power outages in affected areas. This can be particularly problematic for large cities or areas with heavy infrastructure.

• Water and Gas Disruptions: Lightning may damage water systems, gas pipelines, or sewage systems, leading to a disruption in these services.

7. Agricultural Damage

• Crop Damage: Lightning can strike farm fields, causing physical damage to crops. Additionally, lightning-induced fires can burn large sections of farmland.

• Livestock Injuries: Livestock can be harmed directly by a lightning strike, or indirectly through fires or electrical surges caused by a lightning strike.

8. Increased Risk of Accidents

• Traffic Accidents: Lightning storms can impair visibility on roads and cause sudden, hazardous weather conditions, leading to car accidents or traffic disruptions.

• Water Accidents: Lightning strikes on water bodies (like lakes, rivers, or oceans) can cause boats, ships, or people in the water to be at risk, as water is an excellent conductor of electricity.

Conclusion:

While lightning is a natural phenomenon, it can cause significant and wide-reaching damage. The impact can be catastrophic for buildings, infrastructure, and human safety. Installing lightning protection systems, surge protectors, and taking proper precautions during storms can help reduce the risks associated with lightning strikes.

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How Powerful is a Lightning Strike?

A typical lightning strike can have a voltage ranging from 100 million to 1 billion volts (100 MV to 1 GV). However, the exact voltage varies depending on the intensity of the strike and the conditions in the atmosphere. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

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Voltage: The peak voltage of a lightning strike can be anywhere from 100 million volts (100 MV) to 1 billion volts (1 GV).

Current: The current in a lightning strike can range from 10,000 to 200,000 amperes, but it can sometimes exceed this range in extreme cases.

Temperature: The temperature of a lightning strike can reach up to 30,000 Kelvin (around 53,540°F or 30,000°C), which is five times hotter than the surface of the Sun!

So, while the exact voltage can vary, lightning is extraordinarily powerful, and the immense voltage and current contribute to the potential for significant damage to structures, electronics, and other objects struck by it.

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How many Times does Lightning Strike in the U.K?

Lightning strikes in the UK are relatively frequent, but the number of buildings directly struck by lightning each year is not well-documented in a precise, widely available figure. However, some general data and estimates can provide insight into how often this happens.

General Statistics:
Lightning Strikes in the UK: The UK experiences thousands of lightning strikes each year.

Strikes on Buildings: While it's difficult to get an exact figure for how many buildings are struck specifically, studies and statistics suggest that only a small fraction of lightning strikes directly hit buildings. Most lightning strikes tend to hit the ground, trees, or open areas.

Key Factors:
Location: Areas with higher thunderstorm activity, such as parts of the southwest, northeast, and central England, may experience more lightning strikes, increasing the likelihood of buildings being struck.

Height: Taller buildings are more prone to being struck by lightning. For example, skyscrapers, communication towers, and church spires are more likely to be affected.

Protection: Many buildings, particularly those of significant height or importance (like hospitals, factories, or historic buildings), are often equipped with lightning protection systems, reducing the chances of severe damage when lightning strikes.

Lightning Strikes on Buildings:
A rough estimate is that there might be several hundred buildings struck by lightning each year in the UK. However, this number is not definitive and can vary based on factors like weather patterns, geography, and whether the building has lightning protection systems installed.

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Types of Lightning Protection

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ESE systems, like the Indelec Prevectron, are designed to protect structures from lightning strikes by enhancing the traditional lightning protection system (such as lightning rods) to offer a wider protection zone.

Here’s how it works:

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ESE Technology: The core idea behind Early Streamer Emission (ESE) technology is to initiate the lightning strike process earlier than conventional systems. Normally, a lightning strike forms when a discharge occurs between the cloud and the ground. ESE systems are designed to emit a controlled upward streamer at an earlier stage of the formation of this lightning discharge.

Streamer Emission: Traditional lightning rods (Franklin rods) rely on the fact that lightning will strike the highest point on a structure. However, this system does not necessarily offer protection against all lightning strikes. ESE systems, such as the Prevectron, create an upward streamer that triggers lightning discharge earlier than it would otherwise occur. This gives the system a better chance to intercept the lightning strike and direct it safely to the ground.

Protection Zone: The goal of an ESE system like the Indelec Prevectron is to create a "protection zone" around the structure, ensuring that any lightning strike that might occur within this zone is attracted to the ESE device rather than the building or structure itself. This expanded protection zone means more comprehensive safety for the building.

Timing: The ESE device emits its streamer at a carefully controlled time, usually during the initial stage of the formation of the lightning strike. The timing and technology of this emission help to create the optimal conditions for lightning to discharge at the ESE system rather than hitting the building.

Energy Dissipation: Once the lightning has been directed to the ESE system, it is safely channeled down to the ground through the building’s grounding system, which dissipates the electrical energy of the strike safely without causing harm to the structure.

In short, Prevectron ESE technology works by enhancing the way lightning strikes are intercepted and diverted, offering broader protection and a faster response to potential lightning events.

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