Technical Standard 8.

18

Lightning Protection Systems

Origin Asset Management and Compliance Team

Date 4th February 2022
Ref. Technical Standard
Rev. 1
 Contents

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Information Caveat
1.2 Introduction
1.3 Who is this guidance for?
1.4 Where does the guidance apply?

2.0 General Requirements

2.1 Risk Assessment

2.2 Requirements for New/Upgraded Installations

2.3 Planning the Work

3.0 Health & Safety

3.1 Health & Safety – Contractor

3.2 Health & Safety – Designer

4.0 General Design

4.1 Protection to Structures and Life
4.2 Protection to Electrical and Electronic Systems
5.0 Lightning Protection Installations
5.1 External LPS
5.2 Internal LPS
5.3 Builders Work
6.0 Handover and Commissioning
6.1 Lightning Protection Systems
6.2 Surge Protection Measures
1.0 - Introduction

1.1 Information Caveat

It is the contractor’s responsibility to provide suitable design options. The

information contained in this section is provided without prejudice and the veracity of
any information provided is to be confirmed by the contractor’s survey. Any errors
contained in the information provided by the client shall be corrected within the
contractor’s subsequent survey & feasibility report.

1.2 Introduction

Lightning strikes in the UK are estimated at around 300,000 per year. This figure is
expected to rise as climate change increases the risk of more intense, and more
frequent, thunderstorms.
This Technical Standard outlines the potential dangers of lightning strikes to
buildings and how to reduce the risks. It deals principally with risks to structure
strikes which can directly or indirectly pose a risk to people’s health and safety.
These include: Fire, material damage, damage to the electrical installation and
failure of electrical/electronic equipment.
There is no legal requirement to install lightning protection on buildings in England
and so careful thought should be given, to both capital and maintenance costs, if
considering retrofitting a new system to an existing building.

1.3 Who is this guidance for?

The guidance is aimed at all of those involved in commissioning, planning, managing
and carrying out work or maintenance and inspections on new or existing lightning
protection systems. This can include other areas of work and maintenance that
impact on the lightning protection such as new roofs or rooftop plant.

1.4 Where does the guidance apply?

The guidance applies to situations where existing lightning protection systems are
found which may be disturbed or altered, or where new systems are installed onto
existing buildings. Where existing systems are lifted or altered/added to, in order to
accommodate other works, then a lightning protection specialist should be consulted.

2.0 General Requirements for New/Upgraded Installations

The system design, components and installation must comply with current
regulations, industry standards and best practice including the following:

I All applicable Camden Technical Standard and specification requirements;

II Statutory Instruments; Civil & Criminal Law

III Current British and/or European Standards & Codes of Practice;

 N.B. BS EN 62305 parts 1-4, BS EN IEC 62561

IV Current IET Regulations; (BS7671)

V Current Health & Safety Regulations and guidance;

VI Current Building Regulations;

VII Manufacturer’s Instructions;

VII The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations

The contractor/designer shall be responsible for:

1. Preparation of working and installation drawings and functional

‘Description of Operation’. Undertake design calculations, as
required, which should be available to the Employer’s staff
when requested.

2. Carrying out of all necessary surveys, with particular regard to supporting

structures, asbestos and other services, for all areas of the work.
Camden’s existing asbestos databases/surveys (Apex for
Housing) shall be consulted initially. Asbestos surveys, and/or
subsequent removals and air tests, shall be carried out by
Camden approved contractors and information passed on to the
PM/asbestos team.

3. Making any necessary applications to Camden Planning, Building

Control, Historic England etc.

4. Supply of all plant, equipment, materials and labour.

5. Taking delivery, unloading, handling, temporary storage and protection of all

plant, equipment and materials.

6. Provision of all specialist plant, equipment and tools necessary for erection
and testing. Scaffolding to be TG 20:13 compliant or to approved design.
Bonding or separation of scaffolding should follow NASC guidance.

7. Installing and connecting all plant and equipment and ensuring that all
associated work such as builder's work, etc., is properly executed.

8. Demonstrating to the client/clients representative that the complete installation

is capable of the performance and method of operation specified as per the
design.

9. Commissioning and testing the complete installation as necessary and

making arrangements to enable the client to be present during such
commissioning and testing.
10. Providing hard and electronic copies of Operating and Maintenance
Instructions and complete sets of "as installed" drawings of the completed
installation for the employer’s record and inclusion in the Health and Safety
file. One framed schematic to be installed in the switch/intake room.

11. Instructing the Employers staff and maintenance term contractor in the
operation of the installations.

12. Keeping the installations in full working order and making good of all defects
or other faults during the specified periods.

All works shall be carried out by a competent contractor, who can demonstrate this
competency by membership/registration of the relevant professional bodies [ATLAS,
NICEIC, ECA etc.]. All operatives responsible for the works shall hold the current
qualification/certification relevant to the task; evidence of this certification shall be
held by the contractor for inspection by the client prior to the commencement of the
works.
Any work not of acceptable standard shall be removed and replaced at no cost to the
contract.

2.1 Risk assessment

Before installing or upgrading a lightning protection system, a suitably qualified
consultant or installer should carry out a risk assessment to BS EN 62305-2:2012.
Camden Project/Contract Managers should help by collating as much of the
necessary information as possible. This will assist assessors in determining whether
there is a need for lightning protection and the appropriate level of protection.
The consulting engineer or installer may require information such as:
• Dimensions and use of building
• Types and characteristics of the equipment to be protected
• Construction details such as floor surfaces, roof types and wall materials
• Relative location of the building to its neighbours’ building and services such
as gas, water and electrical power
• Details and characteristics of all types of incoming services such as gas,
water and electrical power
• Types of cable used for power, telecommunications and data
• Earthing systems
• Risk of fire and the current fire protection
• Details of any listings or Conservation area restrictions
• Details/owner contacts for any communication masts installed on the building
The BS EN 62305 risk assessment is concerned with both possible risks to people,
damage to the structure and its contents, and protection against electrical surges
which can also cause damage through sparking and causing a fire. The complex
calculations are based on the BS EN62305 three-way matrix of sources of damage,
types of damage, and types of risks.
 Sources of damage
• strikes to the structure
• strikes near the structure
• strikes to a service
• strikes near a service

Types of damage
• injury to people
• physical damage to structure
• failure of electrical systems

Types of risks (R) resulting from each source of damage

• R1: Risk of human life
• R2: Loss of public services
• R3: Loss of cultural heritage
• R4: Loss of economic value

2.2 New and Existing Lightning Protection Systems

Lightning protection systems, to be effective, should be designed, installed,
inspected and maintained in accordance with BS EN 62305 parts 3 and 4 using
high quality, tested and approved components and preferably by a member of the
Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS).

New System Objectives:

• Provide a complete lightning protection system to reduce the probability of
damage to the building and/or injury to the building occupants and passers-by as a
result of a lightning strike to the building.
• To be installed sympathetically to the architecture.

Existing lightning protection systems

As is the case with all British Standards, BS EN 62305: Parts 1 to 4 are not
retrospective and thus existing lightning protection systems designed to the
previous standard need not be altered unless significant changes have been made
to the structure. If it is necessary for existing systems to be lifted or altered/added
to, in order to accommodate other works, then a lightning protection specialist shall
be consulted. An inspection of the system shall be carried out prior to works and
proposals for lifting/alterations explained to the LPS specialist. Existing
maintenance and testing records shall be made available for the assessment and
proposals made for maintaining continuity of the LPS system during works.
On completion of works, and re-instatement of the LPS, a visual inspection and test
shall be carried out and records passed to the M&E team.
In instances where new installations such as rooftop plant, metallic walkways/stairs,
photovoltaics, solar thermal etc. are planned, equipotential bonding to the existing
Lightning Protection System shall be included in the works.
For PV installations, additional surge protection measures may be required
following a Risk Assessment.
2.3 Planning the Work

Camden staff managing LPS (Lightning Protection System) works have a duty to
make reasonable enquiries about both above and below ground services to the
building and pass relevant information to the designer(s) and contractor(s). The
most up-to-date information should be included in the tender information. If unable
or unwilling to obtain this information you must allow the contractor sufficient time
and resource to do so instead.

Asbestos information should be made available to contractors for all areas that will
be worked in and Camden’s Management of Asbestos Policy and Arrangements
followed - Asbestos Management | essentials (sharepoint.com). If site information
on asbestos is not available then surveys should be considered based on the risk.
Any updates or new surveys should be forwarded to the relevant Camden Asbestos
Manager so that the information can be used to update Camden records.
Link for further information on processes and forms QA Compliance Library -
Asbestos | essentials (sharepoint.com)

Designers have a duty to reduce or ‘design out’ the risks arising from works. Having
reduced the risks to a level as low as reasonably practicable by design, information
should be provided to those doing the work about the risks that remain. In most
cases, the best way of informing contractors, and individuals doing the work, is by
providing this on working drawings.
Consideration should be given to future access and maintenance before
undertaking the work.
Safe access, to roofs where an air termination network is installed, shall be
provided (e.g. permanent fixed staircases). Roofs shall have suitable perimeter
protection barriers or fall restraint systems to allow inspection and maintenance
access to all elements of the air termination network.
Earth termination network Inspection pits shall be provided in accessible locations
at the perimeter of buildings to facilitate routine test and inspection of earth
electrode connections.
Test clamps must be installed at easily accessible locations.
Surge protection devices must be readily accessible for future inspection and
testing.
The visual impact of the system should be considered and any listing or
conservation area limitations taken into account in the proposal. In order to produce
a lightning protection system which is as unobtrusive as possible, make use of
architectural features such as rainwater downpipes, the corners between
buttresses and walls to conceal conductors and reduce visual impact.
Consideration should be given to safe access options for installing the system
including possible scaffold or cherry pickers where necessary.
If scaffolding is a necessity then can it be utilised for any other works?

Contractors carrying out the works must prepare safe systems of work for their
employees by identifying the hazards they are likely to encounter during the work
and making a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks posed by those
hazards.
Those doing the work must have sufficient information, clear instruction and training
to work safely.
Adequate management and supervision of the work must be in place to ensure that
it is done safely

3.0 Health and Safety

3.1 Health and Safety - Contractors

Principal Contractors are reminded of their duties under the Construction [Design
and Management] Regulations 2015.

“Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety in the construction
phase of a project. This includes:

• liaising with the client and principal designer;

• preparing the construction phase plan;
• organising cooperation between contractors and coordinating their
work.

Ensure:

• suitable site inductions are provided;

• reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access;
• workers are consulted and engaged in securing their health and
safety; and
• welfare facilities are provided.”
• records of above, and signing in/out log, are held and updated on site
and are available for inspection at any time.

Contractors are reminded of their duties under the Construction [Design

and Management] Regulations 2015.

“Plan, manage and monitor construction work under their control so that it
is carried out without risks to health and safety.

For projects involving more than one contractor, coordinate their activities
with others in the project team – in particular, comply with directions given
to them by the principal designer or principal contractor.
For single-contractor projects, prepare a construction phase plan.”

3.2 Health and Safety - Designers

Designers are reminded of their duties under the Construction (Design
and Management) Regulations 2015.
 “When preparing or modifying designs, to eliminate, reduce or control
foreseeable risks that may arise during:

• construction; and
• the maintenance and use of a building once it is built.

Provide information to other members of the project team to help them fulfil
their duties.”

Principal Designers are reminded of their duties under the Construction

(Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

“Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety in the pre-
construction phase of a project. This includes:

• identifying, eliminating or controlling foreseeable risks;

• ensuring designers carry out their duties.

Prepare and provide relevant information to other duty holders. Provide

relevant information to the principal contractor to help them plan, manage,
monitor and coordinate health and safety in the construction phase.”

4.0 General Design

Design of the lightning protection system shall be carried out by an LPS
experienced consulting engineer or installer. The design shall be based on the Risk
Assessment and protection required, as described in section 2.1, and shall cover
both Protection of Structures and Life as well as Protection of Electrical and
Electronic Systems.
The design shall set out limitations on protection, particularly where there are
adjoining buildings.
Copies of the design and calculations shall be made available to the Camden
Project Manager for consideration prior to approval.

4.1 Protection to Structures and Life

It is unlikely that existing buildings will be able to utilise existing steel (such as
reinforcement) to incorporate into the Lightning Protection System. Therefore any
new external LPS shall be designed in full to include all new components. The
existing metalwork on site shall be assessed within the design and either bonded to
the lightning protection system or confirmed as meeting adequate separation
distance from the conductors to reduce the risk of side flash.
The design shall meet the requirements of BS EN 62305-3:2011 and any
subsequent updates.
4.2 Protection to Electrical and Electronic Systems

Where identified as required by the Risk Assessment, the internal lightning

protection system must have an adequate overvoltage protection installation as
well as other measures to minimise the destructive effects of lightning
(equipotential bonding, shielding, etc.).
Transient over-voltages can have different origins but the most destructive are
caused by lightning. These very short-lived voltage surges are introduced into
equipment via power, telephone, television or data supply lines. Overvoltage
protection maintains continuity of service by reducing the likelihood of safety
incidents to an acceptable level for people and property. Surge protection devices
shall be inactive, when the electrical signal is normal, but respond instantaneously
to transient surge peaks, conducting the lightning current to earth and protecting
equipment. Once the surge is absorbed, the surge protection device returns to its
idle state. The types of overvoltage are as follows:

• Type 1: protect against the effects of direct lightning strike and are therefore
installed in places where lightning currents and electromagnetic effects of
lightning are not attenuated (main switchboards).
• Type 2: protect against the secondary effects of lightning, in places where
lightning currents and electromagnetic effects are already attenuated
(secondary frames).
• Type 3: protect against over-voltages that are already much damped, leaving
very low residual voltages. They are installed close to the equipment to be
protected.

5.0 Lightning Protection Installations

General

Components
Components of the LPS should withstand the electromagnetic effects of lightning
current and predictable accidental stresses without being damaged. This can be
achieved by choosing components that have successfully been tested in
accordance with the IEC 62561 series.

Simple layout of typical components below.

Lightning/Surge Arrest devices shall be chosen dependent upon the types of
protection identified as required in the Risk Assessment.

5.1 External LPS

Components of LPS shall withstand the electromagnetic effects of lightning current

and predictable accidental stresses without being damaged.
All components of the external LPS shall comply with the latest versions of the
BS EN IEC 62561 series - Lightning protection system components.
Materials for the LPS components shall be chosen based on use and conditions, as
per Table 5 of BS 62305 Part 3. This should bear in mind the possibility of
corrosion/staining of the structure to be protected or of the LPS.

Air-termination systems can be composed of any combination of the following

elements:
a) rods (including free-standing masts);
b) catenary wires;
c) meshed conductors.

Individual air-termination rods shall be connected together at roof level.

Materials, configuration and minimum cross-sectional area of air-termination

conductors, rods and down conductors shall comply with table 6 of BS 62305 part 3

Down conductors shall be arranged so that the current path, from point of contact
of a lightning strike to earth, is kept to a minimum.
A test joint shall be fitted on each down-conductor with the joint shall be capable of
being opened, with the aid of a tool, for measuring purposes. In normal use it shall
remain closed.

Air-terminations and down-conductors shall be firmly fixed so that electrodynamic

or accidental mechanical forces will not cause conductors to break or loosen.

A single integrated structure earth-termination system is preferable and is suitable

for all purposes (i.e. lightning protection, power systems and telecommunication
systems).
Earth-termination material, configuration and minimum dimensions shall comply
with table 7 of BS 62305 part 3.
5.2 Internal LPS

Where Surge Protection Measures (SPM) and bonding is identified as a

requirement within the RA, the installation shall comply with BS 62305 part 4.
Selection of the most suitable SPM shall be made using a risk assessment in
accordance with IEC 62305-2, taking into account technical and economic factors.
SPM shall withstand the operational stresses expected in the installation place (e.g.
stress of temperature, humidity, corrosive atmosphere, vibration, voltage and
current).
Suitable earthing and bonding shall be based on a complete earthing system
combining:-
– the earth-termination system (dispersing the lightning current into the soil)
– the bonding network (minimizing potential differences and reducing the magnetic
field).

5.3 Builders Work

The roofing manufacturer should be consulted for its recommendations where LPS
is attached to parts of the roofing system. Adhesives, for example, must be
compatible with the roofing, and some manufacturers require an extra layer of
membrane under attachment points. Warranties remaining for roofing products
shall not be invalidated by LPS installations and any such issues will be the
Contractors responsibility to resolve.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all builder’s works in association. All
redundant holes and damaged masonry or timber shall be made good. Internal
room surfaces shall be finished using smooth plaster flush with the surrounding
areas. All builders work shall be complete to fair faced finish, suitable to accept
decorations.
Holes shall be formed as necessary and existing or redundant holes shall be made
good after the installation of the new works.

Where cables conduits or trunking pass through fire or smoke

compartments/barriers, such as walls or ceilings, the opening shall be permanently
sealed by a third-party accredited fire stopping specialist to maintain the integrity
and fire rating of the compartment barrier. Large gaps shall be made good with
materials consistent with the existing structure, small gaps and final seals shall be
made good with products tested in accordance with BS 476 20 and 22 or BS EN
1366.
All products shall be suitable for the temperature of the service on which they are
being used. New or redundant holes shall all be made good such that the integrity
of the fire compartment is maintained. Holes discovered during the works shall be
notified to the contract manager
Where cables are installed within trunking which passes through fire or smoke
compartments, suitable internal fire stopping shall be provided. Where conduit and
trunking pass through a builder’s opening without a specified fire or smoke
requirement then the opening shall be sealed with the appropriate materials
consistent with the existing structure.
6.0 Commissioning, Handover and Maintenance
On completion of the works the whole system shall be commissioned by a
competent person and all relevant commissioning data shall be recorded and shall
append the commissioning certification. Commissioning certificates will be issued
on completion.

The following events shall be witnessed on site by the employer or his/her

representative following notice of at least 5 days:

Commissioning
Demonstration to maintenance staff

The contractor shall provide a hard copy and an electronic version of the Operation
and Maintenance Manual and record drawings for this project, the manual shall be
specific to the project and shall list each individual item of equipment [inc. serial
No’s and date of manufacture/installation] with operational guidance and complete
maintenance schedules for the life of the equipment. The record drawings shall
show installation layouts and schematics as well as associated cable routes. A
minimum of one copy of the schematic drawing for the LPS and Surge Protection
installation shall be framed and mounted on the intake room wall in an accessible
location.

The contractor shall provide, in a compatible format, data for the client’s asset
registers.

6.1 Lightning Protection System (LPS)

Visual inspection

Visual inspection should be carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced

person to confirm conformance with the standard used for the design:
• During installation.
• On completion.
• After any alterations or extensions to the system or building including the
installation of equipment on rooftops and facades of tall buildings.
• After a known discharge.
• At regular intervals, on a 14 to 15 month schedule to check the mechanical
condition of all conductors, bonds, joints, electrodes and to ensure that all
recently added services have been bonded as required.
The results of the inspections should be recorded, together with a note of any parts
of the installation that it may not have been possible to inspect.
After inspection, all defects noted shall be corrected without delay. If necessary, the
technical documentation shall be updated.
Testing

Testing should be carried out in accordance with BS EN 62305 Part 3 by a suitably

qualified person. The resistance to earth of each earth electrode, the resistance of
the complete earth termination system and the measurement of electrical
continuity of bonds and joints where necessary should be tested:
• On completion of the installation.
• After alterations, extension or modification.
• After a known discharge.

6.2 Surge Protection Measures (SPM)

Inspection

The inspection comprises checking the technical documentation, visual inspections

and test measurements. The object of the inspection is to verify that
– the SPM complies with the design,
– the SPM is capable of performing its design function,
– any new additional protection measure is integrated correctly into the SPM.

Inspections shall be made in accordance with BS EN 62305 Part 4;

• during the installation of the SPM,

• after the installation of the SPM,
• periodically,
• after any alteration of components relevant to the SPM,
• possibly after a lightning flash to the structure (e.g. where indicated by a
lightning flash counter, or where an eyewitness account of a flash to the
structure is provided, or where there is visual evidence of lightning-related
damage to the structure).

The frequency of the periodical inspections shall be determined with

consideration to;
• the local environment, such as corrosive soils and corrosive atmospheric
conditions,
• the type of protection measures employed.

After inspection, all defects noted shall be corrected without delay. If necessary, the
technical documentation shall be updated.