The Importance of Lightning Protection

Lightning strikes are one of the most common occurrences on Earth and they happen everywhere on the planet and often are sudden and severe.

Lightning Protection is a consideration for all business owners, but it is something that often gets overlooked. Insurance is often the first place many business owners turn, but it may not be the best option instead the best option is to try and prevent damage/loss from occurring in the first place and lightning strikes are one of the most preventable disasters. Lightning can destroy entire neighborhoods, one strike can quickly turn a building into an inferno if the conditions are right, beyond fire damage lightning can cause electrical problems which can be very expensive to repair and cost businesses lost production time.

One of the easiest ways to remove the destructive force of a lightning strike is to channel the energy somewhere safe, if the lightning is directed into the earth without passing through non-conducting materials, like wood, brick, or concrete, damage will often be minimal or completely avoided. When this path is created, it is called earthing, Earthing is easily the most effective way to protect a building but it can't completely protect the electrical systems contained within a building.

Electrical components in a lightning struck building are vulnerable to damage even when a building is well grounded. If electrical items such as computers are damaged it can have a significant cost to a business. One way to prevent damage to electrical systems is via the installation of a Faraday Cage, a network/grid system that is designed to protect every part of a building and direct any strike through to earth. A second way to prevent damage to electrical systems during a lightning strike is to fit surge protection. Surge protectors are useful for dealing with extra electricity that can occur after a lightning strike. Surge protectors divert excess electricity before it can damage occurs within an electrical system contained within a building, surge protection is reliable and very cost-effective.

With lightning being one of the most common natural occurrences on the planet, it could be considered foolish to allow your business to remain unprotected.