If you’re the decision-maker for your business or organisation, you’re responsible for protecting property, staff, and customers. Lightning is an unexpected but unavoidable hazard that you can’t predict! While getting hit by a strike is unlikely, the consequences can be devastating. Comprehensive lightning protection targets the exterior of your building and equips your premises to handle extreme weather.
Lightning protection is a simple yet easily forgotten step you must take to ensure your team’s health and safety. So, what is lightning protection, and how does it work?
What Is Lightning Protection?
In short, lightning protection is a system you add to your building to reduce damage lightning strikes cause. Contrary to popular belief, the facilities most at risk from damage with a strike are premises without electricity or plumbing to ground the electric shock. You’ll also be surprised to know buildings with metal roofs are significantly safer since any electricity absorbed will be safely transferred to the ground below.
That being said, no matter what, the primary aim of any lightning protection system is to protect your business’ internal electrics. You can never guarantee your property could handle a shock without installing safety measures. With a practical approach to managing lightning, you can be confident your assets will remain undamaged. Damaged electrical equipment throughout your premises may result in a fire or fatal electrocution, so it’s a big deal.
How Do Lightning Protection Systems Work?
The current from a lightning strike will always seek out the path of least resistance. Any system installed to redirect electricity must become the easiest path for a strike to follow. A typical lightning protection system contains lightning rods, metal conductors and ground electrodes. Each component works together to offer a low resistance path to the ground. The system safely directs high voltage currents away from the building structure itself.
Are There Different Lightning Protection Systems?
Lightning protection systems are available both internally and externally, meeting different aims. External lightning protection systems need to intercept direct lightning strikes, safely discharge the current through a down-conductor, and distribute the electricity into the ground. An internal lightning protection system prevents electrical equipment from dangerously sparking with overloaded electricity. For adequate security against extreme weather conditions, you’ll need to combine an inner and an external lightning protection system. Both the interior and exterior of your property are equally vulnerable.
Do I Need A Lightning Protection System?
If you’ve completed any electrical installations on your premises, a lightning protection system is a sensible safety measure to introduce to your property. Lightning strikes are natural phenomena that occur with no warning. They cause unpredictable damage to buildings and life. You’ll never regret fitting a lightning protection system if a bolt strikes you.
How Often Should I Service My Lightning Protection?
Testing and certification of your lightning protection should take place annually, at the very least. Professional testing will inform and preface the servicing of your system since an assessment will indicate where the equipment is wearing down. Remember your earth electrodes need to withstand extreme weather conditions throughout the year, so some of your systems may have deteriorated after twelve months! Suppose you’re heavily reliant on electrical equipment to run and maintain your business. In that case, you can aim for one test every six months and catch issues before they escalate. Servicing, therefore, will also need to take place once or twice a year.
Who Can Perform Lightning Protection System Repair?
For trustworthy testing, servicing and repairs, you need a qualified professional. At Kiasu Workforce, we install, maintain and test any lightning protection system to meet the current legal standards and specifications. Most crucially, our lightning protection services promise you’ll have the ideal infrastructure in place to protect vulnerable premises and equipment, your people, and your business. Contact us today to discover how we can support your health and safety.
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