Survey
The Lightning Risk Survey is a must before the design and installation of a Lightning Protection System.
In France, the Lightning Risk Survey is even compulsory for the environmentally sensitive classified industries – namely ICPE – and for a new factory, this survey must be produce even before the site starts its operation.
According to the existing standards and regulations, the Lightning Risk Survey includes the Lightning Risk Assessment Survey and the Technical Survey.
Lightning Risk Assessment Survey
It is based on the international standards IEC 62 305 Part 2 “”Risk Management”. It aims to assess the protection level that will be used for the LPS design and the Technical Survey.
The calculations are made with a specific software named JUPITER
Description of the structure and calculation of the surface of capture
Description of the structure and calculation of the surface of exposure
Areas to be analysed
...Choice of the type of protection.
Required Protection level for the structure
Comparison of Lightning Risks with or without LPS
Without lightning protection system
With lighting protection system
Technical Survey
According to IEC 62305-3 and IEC 62305-4, the Technical Survey determines the external Lightning Protection System as well as the internal LPS (surge protection devices and equipotential bondings).
The Technical Survey must includes :
- the preventive measures
- the lightning protection system
- the location of the LPS components
- the LPS testing procedures
- the LPS maintenance scheme
Example of LPS location on a structure
It might also be necessary to consider the underground services networks (electrical cables, gas pipes, water canalisations…) to design the LPS earthing system.
Example of LPS earthing system in the presence of underground service networks
INDELEC Lightning Survey Department is available to conduct such surveys in accordance with the standards and regulations. This department is qualified for the most complex surveys (Qualifoudre certification available on demand).