LIGHTNING PROTECTION RISK ASSESSMENT

Contents
1.0
1.1

2.0
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10

3.0

INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................2
SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................. 2

LIGHTNING RISK ASSESSMENT STUDY ....................................................2

LIGHTING STRIKE DENSITY (NG) ................................................................................................... 2
DANGER FOR PEOPLE (H) ............................................................................................................. 2
OCCUPANCY COEFFICIENT (LF1) .................................................................................................. 2
RELATIVE LOCATION OF SITE (CD) ............................................................................................... 3
FIRE RISK (RF) ................................................................................................................................ 3
ASSOCIATED SERVICES (LF2) ....................................................................................................... 3
ELECTRICAL LINES (AI) .................................................................................................................. 3
LIGHTNING PROTECTION LEVEL (PD) ........................................................................................... 4
SURGE ARRESTORS (PI) ................................................................................................................ 4
TOLERABLE RISKS (RT) ................................................................................................................. 4

CALCULATIONS.............................................................................................6

LIGHTNING PROTECTION RISK ASSESSMENT

1.0

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Scope
This Document covers the Lightning Protection Risk Assessment Study.

2.0

LIGHTNING RISK ASSESSMENT STUDY

Lightning Risk assessment Study is actually the measure of risk of a lightning strike and
probability of damages. It assesses the lightening risks to the facility according to international
standards requirements. These calculations are according to IEC Standard 62305-2.
All these calculations are based on lightning strike density in that particular area ( provided by
OMV i.e. Ng = 8), Danger for people, Occupation coefficient of structure, Relative location of
site, Fire Risk, Associated services, Electrical Lines, Lightning Protection Level, Surge Arrestor
and dimensions of installation. Brief introduction of all are given below.

2.1

Lighting Strike Density (Ng)

It is the measure of lightning strikes per kilometre square per year in the particular area. Higher
the lighting strike density, higher the probability of lightning strike which needs higher level of
lightning protection level.

2.2

Danger for People (h)

It is the factor of presence of people and panic in the building in case of a lightning strike.

2.3

No particular danger

Low panic level(<=2 floors, < 100 persons

Medium risk of panic (< 1000 persons)

Difficult to evacuate (disabled people, hospitals)

High risk of panic (> 1000 persons)

10

Hazard for surroundings or environment

20

Contamination of surroundings or environment

50

Occupancy Coefficient (Lf1)

It is the risk reduction factor with respect to the occupancy of the building / installation. For
example, loss due to lighting strike is higher in hospital as compared to a store / warehouse.
Structure unoccupied

0.1

Structure normally occupied

0.01

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LIGHTNING PROTECTION RISK ASSESSMENT

2.4

Relative Location of Site (Cd)

It is the risk reduction factor with respect to the location and surrounding of the building /
installation. For example, chance of lighting strike is minimized if the building is near to a high
tower.

2.5

Structure surrounded by higher objects or trees

0.25

Structure surrounded by similar or lower objects

0.5

Isolated structure-No other objects nearby

Isolated structure on top of a hill or a hillock

Fire Risk (rf)

It is the risk reduction factor with respect to the flammability of the material present in the
building / installation. For example, in case of lighting strike, loss will be very high at a gas
station as compare to the cement store.
Explosion

2.6

High

0.1

Ordinary

0.01

Low

0.001

Associated Services (Lf2)

It is the risk reduction factor with respect to the services associated with the building. For
example, a lightning strike at a power station will result a power break down which replicates
the loss and disturbance.
No

2.7

Gas, water

0.1

TV, Communication, Electricity, Radio

0.01

Electrical Lines (Ai)

Presence of electrical lines increased the chance of lightning strike. For example, if lightning
strike on the overhead line, line will transport this to installation.
No

14400

Aerial

6600

Underground

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LIGHTNING PROTECTION RISK ASSESSMENT

2.8

Lightning Protection Level (Pd)

Lightning protection level defines the kilo ampere rating of the lightning protection system,
minimum distance between the lightning arrestors and density of protective mesh.
None

2.9

Protection Level IV

0.2

Protection Level III

0.1

Protection Level II

0.05

Protection Level I

0.02

Surge Arrestors (Pi)

These are the protective devices which blocks the surge from entering the installation
premises. Normally installed at the incomer supply (main distribution box). These are used if
the system is connected with over head lines.
None

2.10

Necessary - I imp >= 12.5 kA

0.03

Necessary - I imp = 75/(m x n)

0.02

Necessary - I imp = 100/(m x n)

0.01

Tolerable Risks (RT)

As a result of lightning protection risk assessment study, risk to human life, services and
cultural heritage will be obtained in figures which must be lesser than tolerable risk (specified in
codes and standards). The outcome of the study will then be used as a guide to select the
level of lightning protection level to contain the risk with in tolerable limits.
Tolerable Risk denoted by RT, is the maximum value of the risk which can be tolerated for the
structure to be protected.
As per IEC 62305-2, tolerable risks are as follows.
Sr.

Type of Loss

RT1

Loss of human life

RT2

Loss of service to public

RT3

Loss of cultural Heritage

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Tolerable Risk
10-5
Risk of 1 in 100,000
10-3
Risk of 1 in 1,000
10-3
Risk of 1 in 1,000

LIGHTNING PROTECTION RISK ASSESSMENT

As per IEC 62305-2, these risks can be calculated from given formulas.
Tolerable Risk
= Rd1 + Ri1
= (Nd x Pd x h x rf x Lf1) + (Ni x Pi x h x rf x Lf1)
RT1

= ((Ng x Ad x Cd x 0.000001) x Pd x h x rf x Lf1)

+ ((Ng x Cd x Ai x 0.000001) x Pi x h x rf x Lf1)
=Rd2 + Ri2
=(Nd x Pd x rf x Lf2) + (Ni x Pi x rf x Lf2)

RT2

=((Ng x Ad x Cd x 0.000001) x Pd x rf x Lf2)

+ ((Ng x Cd x Ai x 0.000001) x Pi x rf x Lf2)
=Rd3 + Ri3
=(Nd x Pd x rf x 0.1) + (Ni x Pi x rf x 0.1)

RT3

=((Ng x Ad x Cd x 0.000001) x Pd x rf x 0.1)

+ ((Ng x Cd x Ai x 0.000001) x Pi x rf x 0.1)

Where,
Ai

Electrical Lines

Ad

Collection area for flashes to an isolated structure

Cd

Relative Location of Site

Danger for People

Lf1

Occupancy Coefficient

Lf2

Associated Services

Pi

Surge Arrestors

Pd

Lightning Protection Level

Ng

Lighting Strike Density

rf

Fire Risk

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LIGHTNING PROTECTION RISK ASSESSMENT

3.0

CALCULATIONS
Excel Sheet

Sheet 6 of 6