The Importance of a Lightning Protection System (LPS) PRESENTED BY: ANTONIO ORTEGA BLP, LLC DBA BACA LIGHTNING PROTECTION

What is Lightning?

Lightning is a visible electrical discharge that occurs within a cloud, between two clouds, or between a cloud and the surface of the earth.

As lightning passes through the air it heats the air quickly. This causes the air to expand rapidly and creates the sound wave we hear as thunder. Normally, you can hear thunder about 10 miles from a lightning strike. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)

www.noaa.gov

When, Where & How Often Does Lightning Strike?

Average number of thunderstorms on Earth at any given moment: 1,800

Number of times lightning hits the Earth per second: 100 Source: Weather.com

Lightning Injuries & Fatalities

Lightning can occur during any time of the year, but lightning casualties are highest during the summer. July is generally the month with the most lightning. Lightning strikes often occur in the afternoon. Two-thirds of all lightning casualties occur between 12-6pm. Males are five times more likely than females to be struck by lightning;

around 85% of lightning fatalities are men.

People aged 15–34 years account for almost half of all lightning strike victims (41%).

• About one-third (32%) of lightning injuries occur indoors. Source: CDC

Fires Caused by Lightning

From 2007 to 2011 local U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 22,600 fires per year that were started by lightning. These fires caused an average of nine civilian deaths and $451 million in

direct property damage per year.

Home fires accounted for 19% of the lightning fires.

Fires in non-residential structures, including businesses and other non-residential properties, accounted for 7%

Vehicle fires accounted for 1%.

The remaining 73% were in outdoor and unclassified properties.

Lightning Related Home Owner Losses

Homeowners Insurance Claims and Payout for Lightning Losses, Recent Report

What is a LPS?

The highly conductive copper and aluminum materials used in a lightning protection system provide a low resistance path to safely ground lightning’s dangerous electricity. When the lightning protection network is in place, the lightning strike is intercepted and directed to ground without impact to the structure, occupants or contents.

What is a LPS Continued

A lightning protection system that meets national safety standards of NFPA 780 and UL96, UL96A includes the following elements:

1. Strike termination network (air terminals or lightning rods) 2. Down-conductor network 3. Grounding electrode network 4. Equipotential bonding network 5. Surge protection devices (for all incoming power, data and communication lines)

Failure to make proper provisions for special grounding techniques, or any of the above five elements can result in inadequate protection. Source: Lightning Protection Institute

How Effective are Lightning Protection Systems?

Lightning Protection Systems are highly effective at preventing lightning damage to buildings. A number of authorities have studied the benefits and reported on them, including: In January 2003 the American Meteorologist Society issued a Bulletin

endorsing the lightning protection requirements, stating, “It is now well established that properly installed and maintained lightning rod-based protection systems significantly decrease lightning damage.”

In 2001 a joint paper was issued by lightning experts at the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Defense Explosives Safety Board, Department of Energy, NASA and FAA. This paper underscores the critical role that lightning protection systems play in protecting our national infrastructure. Source: Lightning-risk.org

Lightning Protection Provides Good Insurance

Costs for lightning protection systems generally come in at less than 1% the value of a structure, depending upon size, location, roof type, construction, grounding conditions and location. Costs for lightning protection systems typically compare with home security and alarm systems – and are sometimes less expensive.When considering repair and replacement, lightning protection systems provide insurance and peace of mind to safeguard structures, occupants, equipment and valuables from costly, yet preventable risk! Source: The Lightning Safety Alliance

LPS Maintenance

Maintenance and inspection of existing lightning protection systems (LPS) to continue the designed safety for the structure is an ongoing process. Maintenance for LPS is also fundamental in ensuring compliance with industry safety Standards of LPI-175, NFPA 780 and UL-96A. LPS maintenance can be of special concern in situations where re-roofing, high volumes of construction traffic, severe weather events, alterations or structural changes to a building have occurred. Given the high frequency of lightning events in the U.S., maintenance checks for LPS make sound preventative sense, too.

Industry recommendations call for a visual inspection to be performed annually, with an in-depth inspection and follow-up quality assurance certification or report provided every three to five years. Buildings with critical systems like hospitals, EMS facilities, airports, etc. may need to be inspected every year, depending on activity, occupancy or the environment where the protected structure is located.

LPS Maintenance Continued

In addition to routine maintenance inspections, lightning protection systems should be inspected whenever any alterations, repairs, re-roofing or modifications are made to a protected structure. A certified LPI lightning protection specialist can take care of needed repairs or modifications and order a follow-up inspection to ensure continuity of the system and continued compliance with industry safety Standards.

Older buildings with LPS can pose other challenges; especially if a structure is equipped with antiquated lightning protection components (twisted cable, tripod rods, deteriorated grounds, etc.), or if no record exists regarding when the system was installed. How does the property owner or maintenance manager confirm that the system is intact, fully functional and in compliance with national safety Standards? If no one can answer these questions, it's time to schedule a LPS inspection and maintenance check for the structure.

LPS Considerations for Re-roofing

A major development in the life of any LPS will occur when the building's roofing system requires major overhaul or replacement. The entire array of direct strike protection for the structure, along with critical bonding elements for internal grounded systems that penetrate the roof, can be affected during this process.

The re-roofing process is seldom as simple as removing and reinstalling the existing lightning protection components. When LPS are inadequately integrated into a roof system and/or not maintained properly, roof-related problems can arise or the LPS may be rendered ineffective. Alterations, rooftop additions or changes from the original mechanical equipment, antennas, security cameras and internal venting will need to be bonded to the lightning protection system as required by the provisions of the safety standards. Other rooftop traffic from window washers, technicians and other contractors can pose a problem for air terminals and cables if careless damage or disconnects from the system occur.

LPS Considerations for Re-roofing Continued

Various elements of the re-roofing process require the supervision of a qualified lightning protection contractor. A decision must be made on the removal and care of existing system components for possible re-installation. The process of removal and re-installation on phased projects needs coordination to maximize time under protection. After the existing components have been removed, the LPS contractor will consider and address re-installation aspects including: Identifying and marking to preserve existing and reusable through-roof penetrations.

Ensuring that structurally mounted hardware is properly anchored according to LPS safety Standards.

Using construction grade adhesives compatible with the roofing membrane and complying with manufacturer warranties.

Bonding reinstallation to maintain necessary roof-level potential equalization of the LPS.

Ensuring circuits of cable conductor are provided with the most direct low-impedance multiple paths to building downleads and structural steel.

LPS Considerations for Re-roofing Continued

Coordinating LPS on rooftop HVAC units, vents, mechanical equipment, antennae, cameras, skylights and other rooftop appurtenances requiring bonding and strike termination connections.

Reviewing strike termination devices to accommodate changing needs of building landscape. (In instances where renovation projects call for blunt tip and/or spring-mount base strike termination devices to accommodate architectural requirements or high-traffic roof areas.)

Ordering a third-party inspection (LPI-IP or UL) to re-certify the system for safety Standard compliance and quality control closeout requirements.

By addressing the above items in a professional manner, the LPS specialist can achieve the ultimate goal of returning the building to the protected zone of a complete system so the expected safety level for the occupants and contents remains continuous. Source: Lightning.org

Lightning Protection Institute

The Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) is a not-for-profit nationwide group founded in 1955 to promote lightning safety, awareness and education and is a leading resource for lightning protection installation in accordance with national safety standards. LPI certifies individuals for the installation of lightning protection systems through a Master Installer testing program to qualify competence. LPI supports lightning protection quality control and assurance through third-party inspection.

For a list of certified contractors visit the LPI website at www.lightning.org.

About BLP, LLC

Baca Lightning Protection (BLP, LLC) has been installing world class lightning protection systems since 1983. We specialize in installations on commercial, industrial and residential structures throughout the U.S., U.S. territories and various locations around the world. We also provide protection for specialty systems including: Trees, Water Tanks, Tents, Baseball Fields, Sculptures, Churches, Golf Courses, Movie Sets, Casinos, Radio and Cell Towers and much more.

About BLP, LLC Continued

BLP, LLC is an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed company and uses UL listed materials. We are certified through the Lightning Protection Institute as a Master Installer/Designer, we are the only company in New Mexico to carry this certification. We carry one Master Installer/Designer Certification, two Master Installer Certifications, and one Journeyman Installer Certification.

About BLP, LLC Continued

Baca Lightning Protection Services include Inspection – Inspection on new or existing systems.

Design – Custom design for new and upgrading existing systems.

Installation – Professional and aesthetically pleasing installations.

Submittal Drawings – Drawings for architects, engineers, contractors, and homeowners.

AutoCAD Drawings – Computer generated drawings for architects, engineers, contractors, and homeowners.

Distribution of Materials – Materials for supply houses, contractors and private installations.

About BLP, LLC Continued

BLP, LLC prides itself on 35 years of professional installations and customer satisfaction. We strive to not only meet but exceed the expectations and needs of every customer.

Antonio Ortega Operations Manager (505)350-2676 aortega@blpllc.net