Do you have structures with lightning protection?  Is it properly installed?  How can you tell?  While conducting a recent mock VPP audit, IESO discovered that a lightning protection system being installed did not comply with NFPA 780, the Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems.

Down-conductors were exposed inside the structure and improperly bonded to surrounding ground systems, which could have caused a sideflash during a strike.  Anchor points were set in mortar joints,

rather than brick and concrete, and numerous down-conductors had bends of 90 degrees in less than the required 8-inch span.  These “tight” bends greatly reduce carrying efficiency and increase the risk of sideflash as the bolt attempts to “find the path of least resistance.”  Imagine the system doing exactly what it should do by capturing a strike, then routing several hundred million volts and 20,000 amps INSIDE your facility fully exposed to employees, equipment and raw and finished materials, in this case flammable liquids!

After documenting the system deficiencies, IESO representatives successfully negotiated with the installation company on behalf of our client to bring it into compliance.  Another satisfied IESO customer.

Make certain your system is properly installed and complies with NFPA 780.  Check it yourself or have someone you trust with your facility and your employee’s lives do it.  No, we won’t name names, but in this real-life example, just because the certified installer said it’s so didn’t make it right.

Dr. Scott Harris is the Senior Risk Manager for IESO, LLC.  His experience covers over 27 years of Environmental, Health and Safety Management in Federal and State government, consulting, general industry and University instruction.  He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Science, with a specialization in Disaster and Emergency Management, from Oklahoma State University, and holds degrees in Geology (B.S.) and Public Health (MPH) from Western Kentucky University.  Before joining IESO Scott was a Federal On-Scene Coordinator for EPA Region 6 and a member of their Emergency Readiness Team.  He held DOD “Top Secret” and DOE “Q” security clearances, and directed multi-agency emergency response, planning and recovery activities for chemical, biological and radiological releases and exercises within the five-state region.

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