Commercial Lightning Protection

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A lightning flash over 5,000 feet away can destroy electronic circuitry. Your expensive electronic equipment such as computers, phone systems, faxes and photocopiers can be a thousand times more succeptible to lightning damage than most household appliances like stoves and refrigerators. Circuit breakers, fuses and other similar devices are not enough to protect your valuable equipment from lightning strikes.

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There are a number of factors that may put your commercial structure, office building or church at risk. How many of the following can you answer yes to?

• Previous lightning damage
• Location in an isolated open area
• Adjacent structures/buildings have had lightning damage
• Location on top of hill or prominent area
• Tall trees overhang roof or nearby
• Structure has chimney or steeple
• Metal ridge vent / roofing / building
• Tall tower nearby (radio, cellular, etc.)
• Location with more than 30 storm days per year

Any structure is a candidate for a lightning strike, but answering yes to any of the above means you are at a higher risk. These factors should be assesed so that your entity's buildings, equipment and personnel are best protected.

Insurance Information

When it comes to lightning-related damage, many insurance companies have no program to mitigate damage, and instead respond to damage by adjusting rates or cancelling the policy. Some insurers recommend that you "do something" about your exposure to lightning-related damage and many commercial enitites turn to an electrician.

Electricians

Most of the time, electricians rely on the guidance of electrical supply houses, which frequently recommend a "one-size-fits-all" solution in the form of a generic surge suppresor. This approach does not work, and at best, is only a small part of the solution.

The Solution

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The best solution is to have a qualified lightning protection specialist evaluate your needs and properly design a system to offer your company the best protection from lightning strikes and power surges.

For more information, or to schedule an inspection, contact Hamilton Lightning Protection today.