Lightning Protection Systems to Safeguard Your Facility

Is your facility protected from lightning? Even if it’s not the tallest building in the area, it’s still important to safeguard it against this random but very real natural threat. Did you know that, worldwide, there are 100 flashes of lightning per second? Typically, lightning strikes in the United States approximately 25 million times each year, and those strikes average about 30,000 Amps in magnitude. Considering that the typical current for a household is only 15 Amps, it’s easy to understand why the huge amount of electricity in a lightning strike is dangerous. Here, we look at the science behind a lightning strike, why buildings are at risk, and how to mitigate that risk in order to protect your facility, along with everyone and everything inside it.

Why Lightning Protection Matters

How much do you know about lightning? Some “facts” that are widely believed are not actually true. For instance, lightning can absolutely strike the same place twice, and it often does. Additionally, lightning does not strike the tallest object in the area, but rather takes the path of least resistance on its way to the ground. So, what happens during a lightning strike? First, charges electrify a cloud, and an electrical field forms between the cloud and the ground, with a highly ionized path allowing a large transfer of electricity from the cloud to the ground. Something important to remember is that air is not an ideal conductor of electricity. This means that it’s easier for a charge to make it to the ground if it comes into contact with something better suited as a conductor, like the metal framework within a building. Sometimes, this means that lightning strikes the tallest object in the area. However, it’s not the height that draws the lightning, but the conductivity. In other words, if the tallest building in the area is well-grounded, it is likely that the lightning will bypass it in favor of a structure with less resistance.

What are Lightning Protection Systems?

This is where lightning protection systems come into play. A lightning protection system works by providing a path for the lightning to follow, directing the electrical charge away from the building and into the ground. This helps prevent fires, structural damage, equipment failure, and injury to people, because it keeps the high voltage of a lightning strike from impacting the building it protects, either by direct hit or surge. Generally speaking, a lightning protection system is made up of lightning rods, conductors, and a grounding system. Surge protectors are another component that can be part of a comprehensive lightning protection system, keeping electronics and electrical devices safe from the voltage spikes that lighting brings.

Benefits of Installing Lightning Protection for a Business

Consider the amount of electricity a business uses, and the number of electronic devices necessary for it to function. Installing a lightning protection system keeps the business operating smoothly, and avoids the loss of expensive machinery and critical data systems. Additionally, lighting protection keeps the people within the building safe from bodily harm caused by lightning strikes. Making the investment in a lightning protection system can mean financial savings down the road, because it helps a business to avoid replacing expensive equipment and dealing with the money lost during operational downtime.

Lightning Protection for Homes

The same principles that make lightning protection essential for businesses apply to homes, as well. While residential properties don’t have the enormous electrical and electronic needs of commercial properties, they still rely on electricity to maintain their functionality. Installing a lightning protection system on a house can help prevent fires, protect electronics, and keep the residents safe from injury.

FAQs

Is a Lightning Protection Rod Sufficient to Safeguard a Property?
- A lightning rod provides some protection, but cannot completely safeguard a property on its own. It’s much better to have a complete lightning protection system, with components that work together.
What Are the Key Components of a Lightning Protection System?
- Most lightning protection systems consist of lightning rods, conductors, grounding systems, and surge protectors.
How Do Commercial and Residential Lighting Protection Systems Differ?
- The systems are essentially the same, but commercial systems are more complex, because they must protect a more extensive area and more complicated equipment.
Is Professional Installation of a Lightning Protection System Necessary?
- Yes, because experienced, certified professionals know how to install these systems in a way that ensures both safety and compliance.
Do Commercial Lightning Protection Systems Have to Comply with Any Standards?
- Yes, there are nationally recognized standards, set forth by the National Fire Protection Agency and UL Solutions, a well-established, independent product safety organization. Compliance with these standards is mandatory for commercial lightning protection systems.

Whether You Need a Business or Home Lighting Protection System, Trust Boston Lightning Rod Company

If you are looking for a comprehensive lightning protection system for your home or business in Dedham, MA or the surrounding areas, look no further than Boston Lightning Rod Company, Inc. For over 150 years, we have been providing full-service lightning protection to homes and businesses in the region, protecting the community and putting fears about lightning damage to rest. Having earned a reputation for excellence, Boston Lightning Rod Company, Inc. is the preferred destination in the region for American-made lightning protection equipment. Across five generations, backed by extensive electrical knowledge, numerous certifications, and advanced training, we have provided tailored services to property owners in Dedham and the surrounding area, expertly installing innovative lightning surge protector systems. To learn more about all we have to offer, and how we can effectively protect your property from electrical surges, contact us for more information or to schedule a personalized installation appointment.