The Threat of No Lightning Protection

What we don’t know about lightning is as significant as what we do know. For example, we know that lightning tends to strike objects placed high above the ground, such as antennas, power lines, chimneys and spires. But we cannot predict exactly when or how often lightning will strike or gauge the severity of the damage.

A single lightning strike can start fires; cause a catastrophic failure of electronic equipment; and ruin electrical, telephone and computer installations. Lightning can kill humans and animals or cause permanent cardiopulmonary, neurologic, auditory and ocular injuries, as well as severe burns and blunt trauma.

Assessing risk

Statistical calculations can determine overall risk, but there are many additional factors to consider. The decision to install a lightning protection system comes down to assessing lightning strike probability, severity and acceptable consequences.

Here are some specific questions that can help determine your need for lightning protection:

• Are humans and/or animals at risk?

• Are there employees who work regularly on top of structures or in open areas?

• Are buildings or equipment at risk?

• Is the equipment associated with an essential/public service?

• Are there objects present nearby such as overhead electrical lines, metal fences or trees?

• What would the consequences be in the event of a lightning strike?

• Are there buildings on-site that are historically significant?

• Are there documents or possessions on-site that are irreplaceable?

• Is substantial revenue loss likely during the time it would take to repair damage from lightning?

• What are the legal implications of providing inadequate protection?

• Are explosive or flammable environments present and thus at risk for sparks caused by lightning or side-flashing?

• Are environmental conditions present that are considered highly corrosive?

• Could the phenomenon of side-flashing between metallic structures damage critical electronics?

• Could the discharge of lightning result in corona phenomena, causing surges on phase wires of electric lines or transformer station shutdowns?

Vulnerable structures

Structures particularly susceptible to lightning strikes include:

• Power stations

• Substations and transformer stations

• Oil and gas storage and refineries

• Drilling rigs

• Grain storage areas

• Explosive factories and storage areas

• Flammable liquid or chemical storage areas

• Factories such as chemical, textile, rubber, sugar, glass, paint, etc.

• Mining areas

• Television, radio and telecommunication stations

• High-rise commercial and residential complexes

• Hospitals

• Airports, shipping and railway facilities

• Universities and education facilities

• Historic buildings

• Houses of worship

• Military installations

• Golf courses, racetracks and sports stadiums

• Farms and food storage areas

• Buildings containing computers and electronics

Incident reports

It is possible to see where lightning has struck in the last 20 minutes in and around the contiguous United States. NASA also has a map aggregating global lightning flashes from January 1998 to the recent present day.

It is challenging, however, to capture accurate data about the social and economic cost of lightning damage. Although the National Weather Service does compile annual statistics on the number of fatalities, injuries and property damage caused by lightning, this data has been cited as less than comprehensive and does not include lost productivity/employee idle time caused by facility or equipment shutdowns.