LIGHTNING PROTECTION RISK ASSESSMENT

Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 2

1.1
SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................. 2

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

2.1 LIGHTING STRIKE DENSITY

(NG) ................................................................................................... 2

2.2 DANGER FOR PEOPLE

(H) ............................................................................................................. 2

2.3 OCCUPANCY COEFFICIENT (LF1) ..................................................................................................

2

2.4 RELATIVE LOCATION OF SITE (CD) ...............................................................................................

3

2.5 FIRE RISK

(RF) ................................................................................................................................ 3

2.6 ASSOCIATED SERVICES (LF2) .......................................................................................................

3

2.7 ELECTRICAL LINES

(AI) .................................................................................................................. 3

2.8 LIGHTNING PROTECTION LEVEL

(PD) ........................................................................................... 4

2.9 SURGE ARRESTORS (PI) ................................................................................................................

4

2.10 TOLERABLE RISKS

(RT) ................................................................................................................. 4

3.0 CALCULATIONS ............................................................................................. 6

LIGHTNING PROTECTION RISK ASSESSMENT

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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.

No particular danger 1

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

Medium risk of panic (< 1000 persons) 5

Difficult to evacuate (disabled people, hospitals) 5

High risk of panic (> 1000 persons) 10

Hazard for surroundings or environment 20

Contamination of surroundings or environment 50

2.3 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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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.

Structure surrounded by higher objects or trees 0.25

Structure surrounded by similar or lower objects 0.5

Isolated structure-No other objects nearby 1

Isolated structure on top of a hill or a hillock 2

2.5 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 1

High 0.1

Ordinary 0.01

Low 0.001

2.6 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 0

Gas, water 0.1

TV, Communication, Electricity, Radio 0.01

2.7 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 0

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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 1

Protection Level IV 0.2

Protection Level III 0.1

Protection Level II 0.05

Protection Level I 0.02

2.9 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 1

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

2.10 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 Tolerable Risk

1 RT1 Loss of human life 10-5

Risk of 1 in 100,000

2 RT2 Loss of service to public 10-3

Risk of 1 in 1,000

3 RT3 Loss of cultural Heritage 10-3

Risk of 1 in 1,000

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As per IEC 62305-2, these risks can be calculated from given formulas.

Tolerable Risk
RT1

= Rd1 + Ri1

= (Nd x Pd x h x rf x Lf1) + (Ni x Pi x h x rf x Lf1)

= ((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)

RT2

=Rd2 + Ri2

=(Nd x Pd x rf x Lf2) + (Ni x Pi x rf x Lf2)

=((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)

RT3

=Rd3 + Ri3

=(Nd x Pd x rf x 0.1) + (Ni x Pi x rf x 0.1)

=((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

‘h = 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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3.0 CALCULATIONS

Excel Sheet