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Inspecting & Evaluating Damaged, Unsafe Lightning Protection Systems ElectricAPedia © Enter your search terms Submit search form   Search This Website - InspectAPedia.com Examples & photos of damaged lightning protection system components How to inspect lightning protection systems

Examples & photos of damaged lightning protection system components & suggestions for how to inspect lightning protection systems are outlined here. This website describes common lightning protection systems, certification, installation, and lightning protection system inspection. We provide information about lightning strikes, lightning hazards, related equipment, sources of lightning protection system installers, and lightning strike risk assessment © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left.

Example of a Damaged Lightning Protection System

We took these photographs of a damaged lightning protection system on an 1865 house in Orange County, New York. The air terminal and conductor were bent down away from the top of the home leaving the chimney and roof (a metal one in an area of frequent lightning strikes) unprotected. This is an example of what can happen when someone who is not qualified works on the system. The lightning protection system for this home was dangerously compromised when the maintenance crew simply bent components down out of their way. [The photographs of details of an old lightning protection system shown here were NOT the work of any of the companies or sources described at this website.]

Inspection tips for Lightning Protection Systems

• This list is incomplete - contributions and critique are invited. Contact Us
• Look for the UL certification label for the lightning protection system. Often this tag is screwed to the building wall outside near where a main cable approaches ground level for connection to the ground rod.
• Look for documentation describing who installed the system and when it was last inspected
• Look for evidence of burned, damaged components that may have taken a lightning strike and need to be replaced or repaired
• Look for missing or loose components such as sections of cabling, air terminals, or connectors which may have been removed. In the photographs above, a contractor working on the chimney simply removed and bent components of the lightning protection system to get it out of his way. This house had a metal roof, a chimney now employing a metal cap and metal liner, and the property had a history of recurrent lightning strikes on and near the building!
• If a "hidden" lightning protection system is installed you will not be able to find all of its components as some sections of cabling may run inside walls or even inside chimney masonry. But look in the attic for grounding conductors, connections, etc.
• Look for a UL tag affixed to the building confirming that the lightning protection system components are UL-listed for that purpose.
• The Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) tests and certifies Professional Design/Inspectors for lightning protection systems.

Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Lightning Protection Systems
What is Lightning?
Lightning Protection Systems
How do Lightning Systems Work?
Damaged, Unsafe Lightning Systems
Lightning Protection Certification
Outdoor Lightning Protection Design
Lightning Protection for Trees
Hidden Lightning Protection Design
Lightning Strike Risk Assessment
How to Avoid Being Struck by Lightning
Lightning Strikes Small Boat

Technical Reviewers

Particular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material. Content suggestions, technical corrections and content critique are invited for any of the content at our website.

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia ^TM Website
• Portions of this information are based on UL publication 200-81 11/87 and other local service company information about lightning protection systems and lightning strike hazards.
• Special thanks to Associated Lightning Rod Company, Cooper Road Box 329A, Millerton NY who has been contributing technical content in presentations to NY ASHI home inspectors since 1996. Some of that information [on lightning system material and installation details] was edited for clarity. ALRCi can be reached at 518-789-4603, 845-373-8309, 860-364-1498 and will inspect your lightning protection system at no charge. [We have no financial nor any other business relationship with any company or product discussed at this website--DF]
• For more details on how lightning protection systems work, see Lightning Protection from Pacific Electric and Gas Company, and Electrical System Grounding and Lightning Protection, Engineering Technical Letter 90-6, Department of the Air Force, HQ USAF.
• Lightning strike risk assessment: for the full body of this excellent article which summarizes recent opinions about lightning strike risk assessment and safe practices for individuals or groups needing to avoid being struck by lightning, see Updated Recommendations for Lightning Safety - 1998 Ronald L. Holle and Raul E. Lopez from National Severe Storms Laboratory, NOAA and Norman, Oklahoma, Christoph Zimmermann Global Atmospherics, Inc. Tucson, Arizona
• As we indicated in an original version of this article, a lightning strike risk assessment guide can be found in Appendix I of the National Fire Protection Association's Lightning Protection Code, NFPA #780. The guide considers type of structure, type of construction, structure location, topography, occupancy, contents and lightning frequency. Contact NFPA, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 617-770-3000.
• Lightning Protection Institute, 3365 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Suite J., Arlington Heights IL 60004
• Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL96A. These requirements cover the installation of lightning protection systems on all types of structures other than structures used for the production, handling, or storage of ammunition, explosives, flammable liquids or gases, and other explosive ingredients including dust. These requirements apply to lightning protection systems that are complete and cover all parts of a structure. Partial systems are not covered by this standard. These requirements do not cover the installation of lightning protection systems for electrical generating, distribution, or transmission systems. These requirements do not cover lightning protection components, which are covered by the Standard for Lightning Protection Components, UL 96.
• Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL96: These requirements cover lightning protection components for use in the installation of complete systems of lightning protection on buildings and structures. These requirements do not cover the installation of lightning protection components. Products of this type are covered by the Standard for Installation Requirements for Lightning Protection Systems, UL 96A.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.

More Information on Lightning Protection Systems & Building Inspections, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Armor Lightning Protection Inc Manchester Center, VT, 802-375-0266 state-of-the-art lightning protection and surge protection for residential and commercial buildings in Vermont, New England, and throughout the Northeast
• Associated Lightning Rod Company, Inc., Box 329A, Cooper Road, Millerton, NY 12546 914/373-8309 518/789-4603
• A-C Lightning Security, Inc., 2100 East First St., PO Box 329, Maryville MO 64468 816-582-8115 800-821-5575 816-562-2932. In New York, Hudson Valley, contact Christensen Electrical Power Systems, Richard G. Christensen, 518-537-4128.
• Lightning Eliminators & Consultants 6687 Arapahoe Road Boulder, CO 80303 (303) 447-2828. "Engineering Solutions For Lightning, Grounding and Surge Protection Worldwide Since 1971"
• Electrical EINET
• Lightning Protection for Facilities, Dr. Bruce Gabrielson, Robert B. Marcus, Published and presented: EMCEXPO92, Washington D.C.
• MIT's Electrical Safety Files
• Newton's International Electrical Journal
• Lightning Protection for Workers What to Do if You're Outside in a Lightning Storm - Center to Protect Workers' Rights (PDF)
• 1998 and Current Lightning Protection Conferences & Exhibitions
• Lightning Risk and Hazard Analysis Measurement from the National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI).
• "Lightning Fatalities, Injuries, and Damage Reports in the United States from 1959-1994", E. Brian Curran, Ronald L. Holle, Raul E. Lopez, NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS SR-193 October 1997
• UL - Underwriters Labs Lightning equipment certification program. "Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has been testing and certifying lightning protection equipment since 1908. UL issues certificates of conformance for systems, inspecting system components and checking completed installations. Installations are required to comply with UL's internationally recognized Standards for lightning protection systems. Manufacturers, suppliers and installers demonstrate their commitment to safety by building, selling and installing only those lightning protection products that pass UL's rigorous testing." -- (Op.Cit.)



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