Introduction to Lightning Protection System Audit
Lightning is a natural phenomenon which risks life and assets. It can’t be avoided. The only we can do is to measure the lightning strike and to minimize its risks, then design and install an adequate protection against the strikes. Then it is need to perform an inspection, evaluation, audit or assessment to installed both external and internal lightning protection systems. Omazaki Consultant is a business unit in Omazaki Group who provides survey, inspection, evaluation, audits and assessments for existing lightning system design, components and installation. We also provide lightning risk assessment for both new and existing system. This lightning protection system audit and assessment services is part of our Electrical System Audit & Assessment consulting services. Contact us by filled in the form in contact, or email us to cs@omazaki.co.id.
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Why We Need LPS Audit or Assessment?
Lightning protection system (LPS) is designed and installed to protect a structure and its contents from damage due to lightning strikes. It is by intercepting lightning strikes and safely passing their extreme high currents to ground.
Lightning is a natural phenomenon which risks life and assets. It can’t be avoided. The only we can do is to measure the lightning strike and to minimize its risks.
There some reasons why we need to survey and audit our existing lightning protection system:
- To recalculate lightning risk and protection system need around the structure
- To check and identify structures which require protection and determine the level of protection required as per latest standards
- To evaluate whether existing system covers all facility from both direct and indirect lightning strike
- To check the healthiness of the existing lightning protection system
- To identify gaps in material and installation in the existing with respect to latest and relevant regulations and standards
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Different Types of Lightning Protection Audits or Assessments
There are different types or approach in audits or assessments of lightning protection system. They are:
- Lightning protection design compliance audit
- Lightning protection adequacy and need audit/assessment
- etc.
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Lightning Protection System Audit and Assessment Object
The objects of evaluation, audit or assessment of lightning protection systems include:
External Lightning Protection System
- Design
- Installed lightning protection material and installed components (air terminal, down conductor, and grounding)
Internal Lightning Protection System
- Design
- Installed lightning protection material and installed components (surge protection devices/SPD and grounding)
- Bonding or equipotential devices
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General Lightning Protection System Audit Methodology
- Pre-survey
- Audit planning & preparation
- Site Survey for data collection and on-site assessment
- Physical observation and visual inspection of material and components installation
- Grounding resistance test
- Continuity test
- Data analysis
- Reporting and recommendation
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Deliverables of Lightning Protection Assessments
The deliverables of lightning protection system audits and assessment is a Final Report Document. The minimum content includes:
- Executive summary
- Existing lightning protection description
- Secondary and primary data description
- Data analysis and evaluation
- Lightning risk calculation result
- Protection level and category
- Findings analysis on material and components installation
- Summary and recommendation
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Regulations and Reference Standards
National Indonesia
- Permenaker No.31 Tahun 2015 — Pengawasan Instalasi Penyalur Petir
- Permenaker No.02 Tahun 1989 — Pengawasan Instalasi Penyalur Petir
- SNI 03-7015 : 2004 — Sistem Proteksi Petir pada Bangunan Gedung
- SNI 03-6625 : 2002 Tata Cara Perencanaan Proteksi Bangunan & Peralatan Terhadap Sambaran Petir
Overseas and International Standard
- IEC 62305 Series – Standard on Lightning Protection
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 780: 2017 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems
- IEEE 998 – IEEE Guide for Direct Lightning Stroke Shielding of Substations
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Contact Omazaki Consultant if you need both external and internal lightning protection and grounding system installation surveys, audits, assessment, inspection and design risk, and components evaluation services for your facility and systems.
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