Lightning Protection Risk Assessment

A Lightning Risk Assessment is a systematic evaluation of a building or facility to determine its vulnerability to lightning strikes. It analyzes factors such as location, building height, materials, and surrounding environment to assess the risk level and recommend suitable lightning protection measures.

Lightning Risk Assessment helps identify potential vulnerabilities before an incident occurs. It allows property owners and businesses to implement preventive measures that protect people, assets, and critical infrastructure from lightning damage, electrical surges, and fire hazards.

Facilities of all types can benefit from a Lightning Risk Assessment — especially:

• Industrial plants and manufacturing units
• Commercial buildings and offices
• Data centers and telecom facilities
• Hospitals, schools, and high-rise buildings
• Oil & gas, chemical, and power plants

Essentially, any structure exposed to lightning-prone environments or housing sensitive electrical equipment should undergo an assessment.

A Lightning Risk Assessment should typically be conducted:

• Before constructing a new building
• After any major structural or electrical modification
• Every 2–3 years, or as recommended by relevant standards (e.g., IEC 62305 or IS 2309)
  Regular assessments ensure that your protection measures remain effective over time.

A professional Lightning Risk Assessment follows national and international standards such as:

• IEC 62305 – Protection against Lightning
• IS 2309 – Protection of Buildings and Allied Structures Against Lightning
• NFPA 780 – Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems
  These standards define methodologies for risk evaluation, system design, and protective measures.

A comprehensive assessment considers:

• Height, shape, and materials of the structure
• Location and surrounding environment (e.g., open fields, water bodies)
• Presence of critical equipment or infrastructure
• Existing grounding and surge protection systems
• Occupancy and potential impact on human safety

These factors help determine the Lightning Protection Level (LPL) required for the facility.

Ignoring lightning risk can lead to:

• Structural damage or fire due to direct strikes
• Electrical surges damaging machinery or IT equipment
• Costly operational downtime
• Threats to human life and safety
• Higher insurance premiums or denial of claims

An assessment is a small investment that can prevent major losses.

A detailed report usually includes:

• Summary and calculation sheet of the building’s lightning risk
• Identification of required Lightning Protection Level (LPL)
• Review of existing protection measures
• Recommendations for improvement
• Zone layout and proposed protection strategy
• Compliance checklist with IEC and IS standards

The duration depends on the complexity and size of the facility. For small commercial buildings, it can take a few days; for large industrial sites, it may take several weeks. Wire Consultancy ensures a structured and efficient process without disrupting daily operations.

• A Lightning Risk Assessment identifies the risk level and recommends whether protection is needed.
• A Lightning Protection System (LPS) is the physical system (e.g., rods, conductors, grounding, surge protectors) installed to safeguard the building.
  The assessment always comes first—it forms the foundation for designing an effective protection strategy.

No. Wire Consultancy specializes in Lightning Risk Assessment and provides detailed reports and recommendations for protection system design and compliance. However, we do not offer installation or maintenance services.

You can contact Wire Consultancy for a professional Lightning Risk Assessment tailored to your site. Our expert team conducts on-site evaluations, calculates risk parameters, and provides actionable insights aligned with IEC 62305 and IS 2309 standards.

In certain industries — such as oil & gas, petrochemical, and power sectors — compliance with lightning protection standards is mandatory under safety regulations (like OISD-GDN-180). Even if not legally required, assessments are strongly recommended to meet insurance and safety audit requirements.

Insurance providers often favor clients with proactive risk management practices. A Lightning Risk Assessment demonstrates due diligence in protecting property and assets, which can help reduce insurance premiums or strengthen claim approval in the event of lightning-related damage.

Wire Consultancy provides services across a wide range of sectors, including:

• Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities
• Oil & Gas and Petrochemical Plants
• Data Centers and Telecom Infrastructure
• Hospitals, Universities, and Government Buildings
• Power Plants, Substations, and Renewable Energy Sites