


Statutory, regulatory, and insurance requirements.Įvery state is vulnerable to lightning (even Alaska and Hawaii, not shown on map).Regardless of the outcome of the risk assessment, protection should be given serious consideration if any of the following are factors: Continuity of service requirements and environmental consequences.Construction Coefficient based on conductivity and combustibility of structure and roofing:.The larger and taller a building, the greater its exposure. Equivalent Collection Area: This is essentially based on the footprint of a building adjusted by the height of the building.While density varies, every state in the Country is at risk. Lightning Flash Density: This is the average cloud to ground lightning flashes per square kilometer per year as based on local meteorological data or the Average US Lightning Flash Density Map from the National Lightning Detection Network.The cost of lightning damage is also growing due, in part, to the proliferation of sensitive electronic devices that are vulnerable to lightning surges.Ī lightning protection system is recommended if building’s exposure to lightning exceeds tolerable risk as calculated based on following: Lightning events are predicted to increase due to changing weather patterns. Lightning losses reach nearly a billion dollars according to the Insurance Information Institute.Īnd the situation is getting worse.approximately 25 million times a year and kills or injures more people than does any other natural disaster, including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzards, floods and volcanic eruptions. Perhaps we can forgive them for not mentioning lightning as one of those hazards individual lightning strikes don’t get the headlines produced by large regional disasters. The organization’s website cites metal’s sustainability, durability, and resistance to earthquakes, severe winds, and a host of dangerous natural phenomena. Metal buildings are “Resilient by Design,” according to Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA). The risk assessment calculations can now be performed using a free, online app at bit.ly/NFPA-780calculator that enables designers to, quickly and easily, make better-informed decisions and demonstrate that they have met the standard of care expected of building industry professionals.
