An enduring investment
The building owner or manager should inspect the lightning protection system at regular intervals to make sure visible components are intact and securely mounted. Surge protectors can burn out due to lightning strikes or other surges; they should be equipped with indicator lights or connected to a monitoring system to facilitate inspection. LPI inspection certificates expire after three years, following which a qualified inspector can be hired to test the system and make necessary repairs so the certification can be renewed.
While damage can occur from vandalism, abuse, or damage to the underlying structure, most problems are due to changes to the building. For example, this can occur when a new pump is installed and not properly bonded to the lightning protection system, or an air terminal is dislodged during maintenance of rooftop HVAC equipment. When new LED display panels were recently installed on the exterior of the United Center in Chicago, surge protectors were also added to make sure the only sparks flying would be when the Bulls or Blackhawks scored.
Re-roofing also requires attention. The owner should be consulted before disabling lightning protection in case special procedures are required, or the work schedule needs to be adjusted to maintain critical protection. NFPA 780 allows existing lightning protection components to be reused if they are UL-labeled, are equal to currently UL-listed products, and are determined by a qualified system designer to be in satisfactory condition. Modifications to the lightning protection work should be performed by a qualified installer to prevent the building’s certification from being voided.
Conclusion
The duration of a typical lightning strike is about 30 microseconds. Fortunately, a properly designed and installed lightning protection system can last a bit longer, even for the life of a structure. Further, the metal components can be recycled after decommissioning. These factors, plus the protection to the building, its contents, and its occupants, make lightning protection an intrinsically green part of sustainable construction.
By observing these guidelines, a building owner should enjoy the peace of mind knowing the risk of lightning damage is nil even if lightning activity increases as is forecast. If only it were so easy to protect against other climate-related risks.
(For more on the risks and financial costs associated with lightning protection, click here.)
Jennifer A. Morgan CSI, is an officer of East Coast Lightning Equipment Inc., an UL-Listed manufacturer of lightning protection components. She also teaches continuing education programs for Lightning Safety Alliance. Morgan can be reached at www.ecle.biz.
Michael Chusid, RA, FCSI, CCS, is a frequent contributor to The Construction Specifier and a product innovation and marketing consultant to building product manufacturers.
He can be reached at www.buildingproduct.guru.
For assistance with this article, the authors wish to thank the following: Robert J. Cooper of Associated Lightning Rod Co. (Millerton, New York), Justin Harger of HLP Systems (Libertyville, Illinois), JJ Loehr of Loehr Lightning Protection (Richmond, Virginia), and Will Priestley of Priestley Lightning Protection (Piermont, New Hampshire).
