7 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE DESIGNING A LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM

1. Accurate Data Collection

Accurate data plays a crucial role in designing a lightning protection system and is the essential deciding factor in the later stage of the design. Therefore, the invaluable data to be collected involves dimensions, location, and environmental components of the building/structure. If the data is approximate or wrong, the recommendation will reflect the same.

2. What do you do with the "Accurate Data" that you have collected?

The next crucial step is to do a RISK ASSESSMENT! It decides whether a building requires external LPS, SPDs, or both, or whether no protection is needed. If protection is necessary, calculate the level of risk using the data collected as the input in our JEF SHIELD — an automated software built as per IS/IEC 62305-2.

3. Arriving at the Level of Protection

If you do the risk assessment properly by giving accurate data, then be confident that your level of protection is correct! Here there are few possibilities:

• Whether the building/structure needs External Protection (LPS).
• Whether the building/structure needs Internal Protection (SPDs).
• Whether the building/structure needs both Internal & External Protection.
• Whether the building/structure is ALREADY SAFE & its calculated values are below the tolerable levels — hence no protection is required.

4. Design Your Lightning Protection

After you determine the level of protection, the next step is to design your LPS based on the level of safety. There are four levels of protection — Level I provides the highest level of protection, and Level IV provides the lowest level of protection.

5. Choose the Appropriate Lightning Protection Method

After the level of protection is determined, choose the appropriate lightning protection method. There are 3 different methods:

• Mesh Method
• Protection Angle Method
• Rolling Sphere Method

For an optimum and smart solution, you can combine the above mentioned methods. Rolling sphere method is stringent & needs to be followed in Industries & all critical installations.

6. Refer to the Standard IS/IEC 62305 for:

• Mesh Size
• Rolling sphere radius
• Protection angle

All the above parameters are based on your level of protection. If at all you choose the wrong level of protection, all your next steps would go wrong and your building/structure may not be safe during the event of lightning.

7. Arrive at Bill of Materials

You arrive at the bill of materials and estimate the cost for your Lightning Protection System (LPS). FINALLY, your building/structure has an LPS complying with Indian/International standards & norms, and hereafter you can have the lightning protection system installed.