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Lightning Protection Systems
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS TESTING AND INSPECTION
Protecting your premises from lightning strikes
Lightning strikes can discharge over 200,000 amps with a typical duration of 200 microseconds. They can cause explosions and fire, chemical release, damage or mechanical disruption to property and of course can kill animals and people.
An external lightning protection system is designed to intercept, conduct and disperse a lightning strike safely to earth. Without one, a building’s structure, electronic systems and the people working around or within that building are all at risk.
Bureau Veritas offers trusted, independent inspection services, to help achieve compliance and make sure your lightning protection system remains effective.
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WHAT IS A LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM?
Designed to safeguard structures and occupants from the effects of lightning strikes, a lighting protection system typically includes:
- Air terminals or lightning rods installed at the highest points
- Conductors that guide the lightning current to the ground
- A grounding system to dissipate the current safely
- Bonding to connect all metallic elements
- Surge protection devices
- Transient voltage surge suppressors to protect electronic equipment from power surges caused by lightning
The system works by providing a controlled path for the electrical discharge, minimizing the risk of fire, structural damage and harm to building occupiers.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS BE TESTED?
As with any electrical installation, it is vitally important to test and inspect your systems to make sure they are effective and compliant with safety standards.
The British Standard BS EN 62305 gives guidelines for the design, installation, inspection, and maintenance of lightning protection systems. It recommends periodic inspections and the frequency depends on factors such as the type of structure, its location and the level of lightning risk.
Bureau Veritas recommends inspections at 11 or 13 month intervals to enable measurement of the electrode-earth resistance at different periods throughout the year.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM TESTING AND INSPECTION?
Regular testing and inspection will help identify potential faults and maintain performance of the system, in order to:
- Ensure safety of people in and around the building
- Protect the building structure
- Protect electrical systems including computers, Building Management Systems, plant sensors, alarms, CCTV, telecoms systems and more
- Achieve compliance with all relevant regulations including BSEN 62305: 2011 Part 3, Protection Against Lightning – Physical Damage to Structures and Life Hazard; BS7430, Code of Practice for Earthing; BS7671:2008, Requirements for Electrical Installations and Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Comply with your conditions of insurance
WHY CHOOSE BUREAU VERITAS FOR LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS INSPECTION?
We offer a highly experienced team of electrical inspection engineers operating across the UK to deliver completely impartial, independent testing and inspection of lightning protection systems.
Our comprehensive best-practice inspections cover all conductors, joints and parts of the system, with continuity testing across conductors and earth resistance testing on individual electrodes and the complete system.
Our team can also update existing drawings or records, or create new documents to support ongoing maintenance and safety.
This ensures our clients can have complete confidence in the impartiality of our services.
Access to a full range of testing, inspection and certification services, including other electrical inspections, from Bureau Veritas experts.
