As we all know, lightning is very dangerous and can cause a great deal of damage in any environment, however, lightning is particularly dangerous in a farm environment. Lightning strikes can start fires in buildings, damage electrical equipment, and electrocute humans and livestock causing disrupting farm operations and incurring considerable expenses.
In order to prevent these losses, installing lightning protection is highly recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
To ensure that lightning protection systems are safe and effective they should be designed and installed only by trained professionals because certain codes and standards must be followed.
LPI-175: The lightning protection code, published by the Lightning Protection Institute.
NFPA 78: National Fire Protection Association Lightning Protection Code.
ASAE EP381: American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Engineering Practice.
96AUL: Requirements for Master Label for Lightning Protection, developed by Underwriters' Laboratories.
Components of the system:
The main components of a building’s lightning protection system are air terminals, conductors, and ground electrodes.
Lightning arrestors should be installed outside, where the electric service enters a building, or at the inside service entrance. The arrestor supplies a ground so that a power surge will not enter the building. If a farm has several buildings with separate electric service entrances, a grounded lightning arrestor should be installed in each building.
Wire fences supported by wooden or steel posts set in concrete are not grounded. The best way to ground these fences is to drive 1/2- or 3/4- inch steel rods or pipes next to the fence posts at least 5 feet into the ground, at intervals of no more than 150 feet along the fence. The grounding rod should be securely fastened so that all the fence wires are in contact with the rod.
Maintenance of the system is vital to make sure the system will work when it is needed. Weather conditions, such as high winds, along with building additions and re-roofing can affect a system’s performance.
Lightning
June 26, 2009
June 25, 2009
Lightning Myths Debunked
In a continued effort to educate the public about the dangers of lightning during Lightning Safety Week, June 21-27, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has provided statistical information regarding lightning strikes as well as several ways in which home and business owners can reduce their risks of lightning damage this week. Today, IBHS will debunk several popular lightning myths according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Myth #1: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Truth: Lightning often strikes the same place twice, especially if is it a tall pointed object such as the Empire State Building which is hit nearly 25 times a year.
Myth #2: Rubber tires protect you from lightning in a car by insulating you from the ground.
Truth: Most cars are reasonably safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, not the rubber tires. For this reason, convertibles, motorcycles, open shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and farm construction vehicles with open cockpits offer no protection.
Myth #3: If I’m in a house, I am safe from lightning.
Truth: Just going inside is not enough. You must also avoid any conducting paths leading outside such as corded telephones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, plumbing, metal doors and window frames. Don’t stand near a window to watch the lightning, rather an inside room is recommended.
Myth #4: Structures made of metal or metal on the body, such as jewelry or watches, attracts lightning.
Truth: The presence of metal makes virtually no difference on where lighting strikes. While metal doesn’t attract lightning, touching or being near long metal objects, such as a fence, railing, or vehicle, is still unsafe. If lightning does happen to hit it, the metal can conduct the electricity up to 100 yards and still electrocute you.
Myth #5: If trapped outside and lighting is about to strike, lie flat on the ground.
Truth: While lying flat on the ground gets you as low as possible, it increases your chances of getting hit by a ground current. Rather, use the ‘Lightning Crouch’ putting your feet together, squat low, tuck your head, and cover your ears. This should be used only as a last resort. Plan your outdoor activities around the weather to avoid possible lighting exposure and have proper shelter available.
To learn more about lightning safety, visit NOAA’s Lightning Safety web page.
June 24, 2009
Don't take lightning lightly
Outdoor activities and frequent thunderstorms can be a recipe for disaster. According to statistics compiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), summer months are the most likely time to be injured or killed by lightning.
More than 70 percent of lightning fatalities occur between June and August. Lightning strikes more than 400 people each year. According to the National Weather Service, men are struck by lightning more often than women, sustaining about 85 percent of lightning deaths. Men under the age of 40 account for 60 percent of all lightning fatalities.
People stuck by lightning can suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression, and an inability to sit for long.
As part of the its new 2009 campaign and Lightning Safety Awareness Week, NOAA has produced a dramatic video public announcement by Ellen Bryan who’s sister was seriously injured by a lightning strike nine years ago. NOAA has also produced a new brochure, Lightning Safety for You and Your Family, which provides basic facts about lightning and information on how to stay safe during potentially deadly thunderstorms.
The National Weather Service has several recommendations. Some of these include:
• Getting into a fully enclosed building or hardtop vehicle at the first rumble of thunder
• Staying indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunder clap
• Keeping away from plumbing. Electrical equipment and wiring during a thunderstorm
• Not using a corded phone unless it is an emergency
June 23, 2009
It only takes one strike
Lightning is one of nature’s greatest phenomena and the summer months are peak season for lightning strikes.
Property losses related to lightning strikes exceed $1 billion annually, according to insurance industry data. These losses can range from damage to expensive electronic equipment to structure fires that destroy an entire house or business.
In a continued effort to educate home and business owners during Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 21-27, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has developed several ways to reduce risks of lightning damage:
• Install a whole-house surge protector for your home or business
• Include protection for electrical, telephone, and cable or satellite TV lines entering the house.
• The surge protector must be a secondary surge arrester that is tested to IEEE C62.11or a transient
voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) that has been tested to UL 1449, 2nd Edition.
• The protector should be installed in accordance with Article 280 or Article 285 of the National Electrical
Code (as is applicable) and must have a working indicator light.
• The structure's electrical system should be properly grounded in accordance with Article 250 of the
National Electrical Code.
• It is important that all utilities (telephone, electrical, and cable or satellite TV) be bonded to the same
grounding point. This will ensure proper operation of the surge protection system. This will prevent
ground potentials from developing on the electrical system.
• All utilities (telephone, electrical, and cable or satellite TV lines) should enter the structure within 10
feet of electrical service entrance ground wire.
• Install arc fault circuit interrupters on all electrical circuits.
The cost of lightning strikes to businesses is staggering. Millions of dollars are spent by corporations every year as a result of lightning damage to commercial properties. Insurance claims, destruction of equipment, fire damage, production and inventory loss can all result from a single lightning strike.
In addition to actual property loss, lightning damage to robotics, communication lines and computer equipment can result in extended downtime for your corporation.
Thunderstorms occur virtually everywhere and that puts any building at risk. State-of-the-art certified lightning protection systems are a part of the structural design of thousands of commercial and public facilities worldwide and are designed to maximize protection of life and property. Learn more about protecting your commercial property from lightning.
June 22, 2009
IBHS is Striking Up Awareness
In an effort to educate property owners about the risks associated with lightning during Lightning Awareness Week, June 21-27, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has provided a list of ways lightning can enter a building as well as recommendations to reduce your risks.
Lightning can enter a building four ways:
1. It can strike a metal object on the roof.
2. It can strike a building directly (called a direct strike).
3. It can strike a tree or silo near the building and jump to
the building. This occurs when the building provides an easier path to ground.
4. It can strike a power line or a wire fence and follow the line or fence to the building.
Lightning protection works by providing a direct, easy path for the lightning bolt to enter or leave the earth without passing through a non-metallic or non-conducting part of the structure or other object. Not only is the weather a factor, but so is equipment and wiring. However, be aware, there are many wiring installations that do not meet the National Electrical Code.
In an effort to reduce your lightning risks, IBHS recommends the following:
• Install lightning rods and grounding rods. Grounding rods should be place at least eight feet into the
ground.
• Bond electrical systems to ground. Only a trained expert, familiar with this specialized industry and the national codes and standards that govern it, should install the electrical system.
• Use surge protection.
• Remember to provide protection at the equipment, at the panel and at the service entrance.
For more information regarding lightning risks and recommendations, visit www.lightning.org.
