They say lightning never strikes twice in the same spot. But it only takes one strike to devastate your business and harm the people inside. Fortunately, lightning protection testing can protect you in that unlikely event. Read on as we take a closer look…
Lightning might seem like just another type of weather. But it can soon become a lot more than that if it strikes your building. The shockwaves from lightning can shatter glass windows, crack masonry and plasterwork, and ignite any flammable materials.
Additionally, it can cause a massive surge in voltage for your electrical system and appliances, which can lead to fires and serious damage.
You might think that lightning strikes on buildings are incredibly rare. And you’d be right. But if they do happen, they cause such devastating damage. That’s why it’s vital to protect your building with a lightning protection system and regular testing.
A lightning protection system comprises a lightning conductor on the top of a building to intercept a lightning strike if it hits. The conductor is connected to cables, which split the voltage and run through to the ground. This allows the high voltage to pass through to the ground safely.
Lightning protection systems can’t always prevent all the impact of lightning. However, they do lessen it massively. While they aren’t a specific legal requirement, they are an important consideration to adhere to the 1989 Electricity at Work Regulations.
You might think that having a system in place is enough to protect your commercial building from lightning damage. Think again. The system is made up of several components, each of which need to be in full working order to safely conduct the voltage from a lightning strike:
If any one of these components has an issue, voltage can escape and cause damage, physical harm or start a fire. There’s also the risk of downtime for your business following the strike. To avoid this, lightning protection testing can be conducted annually to ensure the entire system is working as it should. This will also keep the manufacturer’s warranty intact, in most cases.
Nobody can control the weather. But you can control how well your lightning protection equipment is maintained. Volta Compliance offers lightning protection testing throughout Yorkshire to ensure your system is working when you need it.
We’ll inspect and test your lightning conductors and earth grounding installations, then provide you with a report including any recommendations. The result is safety for people on site, protection for your business assets, and peace of mind for everyone involved.
To arrange testing, simply call us on 0113 397 1361 or email [email protected].
