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Lightning protection - reducing fire risk?

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the mudangel
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Lightning protection - reducing fire risk?

Post by the mudangel »

I'm new here, so hope I'm in the right place for this question.

We've got a large telecoms mast / aerial and I'm trying to work out whether fitting lightning protection would help reduce risk of a fire starting if it got whacked during a storm.

This has come about because I'm doing my NEBOSH Fire practical and I'm a bit stumped on this particular topic. Current feeling within the business is that protection might be useful in protecting sensitive equipment from damage, but we're less clear on whether it would reduce fire risk.

Be great to hear your thoughts.
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bernicarey
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Re: Lightning protection - reducing fire risk?

Post by bernicarey »

Hello Mudangel
Welcome. :wave:

It really depends on your circumstances, things like location, other structures around, what you are doing, is the tower on the roof or next to a building etc, etc.
Your first considerations whether you are looking to protect against:
R1- loss of human life
R2- loss of service to the public
R3- loss of cultural heritage
R4- loss of economic value

This might give you a little more insight: http://shop.bsigroup.com/upload/Shop/Do ... sample.pdf

The latest BS EN 62305-1:2011 is a mere 70+ pages and that's just the 'General Principles'. I believe the whole set of 4 volumes is around 450-500 pages :shock:
https://shop.bsigroup.com/SearchResults ... EN%2062305
www.belvoirsafety.co.uk

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Re: Lightning protection - reducing fire risk?

Post by Messy »

Furse lightening protection used to supply a useful booklet that helped in rush assessing the requirements.

They were also helpful when I phoned and asked the most naive questions.

Can't post a link as my phone is playing up
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Re: Lightning protection - reducing fire risk?

Post by Alexis »

Hi Mudangel. :wave: Welcome aboard. Good to have you with us. :D
Messy wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2017 5:00 pm Furse lightening protection used to supply a useful booklet that helped in rush assessing the requirements.

They were also helpful when I phoned and asked the most naive questions.

Can't post a link as my phone is playing up
Maybe this is the link? http://www.furse.com/ps/eel/index.cgi?a ... ns&b=furse
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Re: Lightning protection - reducing fire risk?

Post by Essex »

Sometimes it is best to get the professionals in with the correct competences and insurance. I would advise you seek the services of a lightning consultant and get a proper survey carried out.
Education is the key. A manager should always stand by their team. They employed them.
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