OISD - STANDARD - 180

JULY, 1999

LIGHTNING PROTECTION

Prepared by:
COMMITTEE ON LIGHTNING PROTECTION

OIL INDUSTRY SAFETY DIRECTORATE

2nd Floor, “Kailash”,
26, Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
NEW DELHI -110 001.

i
 NOTE

OISD (Oil Industry Safety Directorate) publications

are prepared for use in the Oil and Gas Industry under
Ministry of Petroleum & natural Gas. These are the property
of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and shall not be
reproduced or copied and loaned or exhibited to others
without written consent from OISD.

Though every effort has been made to assure the

accuracy and reliability of the data contained in these
documents. OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or
responsibility for loss or damage resulting from their use.

These documents are intended to supplement rather

than replace the prevailing statutory requirements.

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 FOREWORD

The Oil Industry in India is nearly 100 years old. Due to

various collaboration agreements a variety of international codes,
standards and practices are in vogue. Standardisation in design
philosophies, operating and maintenance practices at a national
level was hardly in existence. This lack of uniformity coupled with
feedback from some serious accidents that occurred in the recent
past in India and abroad, emphasised the need for the industry to
review the existing state of art in designing, operating and
maintaining oil and gas installations.

With this in view, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural

Gas in 1986 constituted a Safety Council assisted by the Oil
Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) staffed from within the industry
in formulating and implementing a series of self-regulatory
measures aimed at removing obsolescence, standardising and
upgrading the existing standards to ensure safer operations.
Accordingly OISD constituted a number of functional committees
comprising of experts nominated from the industry to draw up
standards and guidelines on various subjects.

The present document on “Lightning Protection” was

prepared by the Functional Committee on “Lightning Protection”.
This document is based on the accumulated knowledge and
experience of industry members and the various national and
international codes and practices.

It is hoped that provisions of this document if implemented

objectively, may go a long way to improve the safety to reduce
accidents in Oil and Gas Industry. Users are cautioned that no
document can be substitute for the judgment of responsible and
experienced engineer.

Suggestions are invited from the users after it is put into

practice to improve the document further. Suggestions for
amendments, if any, to this standard should be addressed to:

The Co-ordinator
Committee on “Lightning Protection”
Oil Industry Safety Directorate
2nd Floor, “Kailash”,
26, Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
NEW DELHI - 110 001.

This document in no way supersedes the statutory

regulations of Chief Controller of Explosives (CCE), Factory
Inspectorate or any other statutory body, which must be followed
as applicable.

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 COMMITTEE
ON
“LIGHTNING PROTECTION”

LIST OF MEMBERS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sl.No. Name Organisation Position in
the Committee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S/Shri

01. V.P. Sharma Engineers India Limited Leader

02. A.K. Roy Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Member

(Refineries Division)

03. S.C. Tyagi Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., Member

04. H. Prusty Gas Authority of India Ltd., Member

05. P.Kamalasekharan Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Member

(Marketing Division)

06. R. Raghupathy Engineers India Limited Member

07. P.N. Deka Bongaigaon Refinery &

Petrochemicals Limited Member

08. J.K. Jha Oil Industry Safety Directorate Member

Co-ordinator.

In addition to the above, various other experts in the industry contributed in the preparation,
review, and finalisation of this document.

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 LIGHTNING PROTECTION

CONTENTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION DESCRIPTION PAGE NO.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

2.0 SCOPE 1

3.0 DEFINITIONS 1

4.0 LIGHTNING PHENOMENON 2

5.0 LIGHTNING PROTECTION CONCEPTS 4

6.0 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM 6

7.0 CONTROL OF FUGITIVE EMISSIONS 8

8.0 PLANT BUILDING AND STRUCTURES 12

9.0 PROTECTION OF STORAGE TANKS 16

10.0 REFERENCES 20

11.0 APPENDIX 22

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Lightning is a natural
phenomenon considered as “Atmospheric
Electricity” which develops as a result of
natural build-up of electrical charge
separation in the storm clouds. Lightning
strikes cause enormous loss of life and
property all over the world. Hydrocarbon
Industry suffers crippling damage,
disruption and loss because of this.
Protection to the plant structures,
storage tanks and columns in the
hydrocarbon industry against strokes of
lightning has been a subject of concern
and methods of providing lightning
protection has been a subject of debate.
2.0 SCOPE
This document explains the
lightning discharge phenomena, various
lightning concepts and control of fugitive
emissions and deals with lightning
protection for plant building and structures
and Storage associated with an Oil/Gas
nstallation as per prevalent national and
international standards on the subject and
analyses their stipulations and provides
minimum requirements to be followed in
the Oil Industry. This standard, however,
does not include guidelines for protection
of electric equipment within or on
structures against lightning.
3.0 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this standard,
the following definitions shall apply.
I) Air Terminal
An air terminal is that component
of a lightning protection system that is
intended to intercept lightning flashes.
ii) Bonding
An electrical connection between
an electrically conductive object and a
component of a lightning protection
system that is intended to significantly
reduce potential differences created by
lightning current.
iii) Down Conductors
The conductors which connects
vi
air terminals to earth terminations are
called Down Conductors
iv) Earth Terminations
Earthing conductors embedded in
the soil and designed for the Safe
discharge of lightning currents into the soil
are called Earth Terminations
v) Flame Protection
Self closing gauge hatches,
vapour seals, pressure vacuum breather
valves, flame arrestors or other
reasonably effective means to minimise
the possibility of flame entering the vapour
space of a tank.
vi) Grounded Terminal:
The portion of a lightning
protection system such as ground rod,
ground plate, or ground conductor that is
installed for the purpose of providing
electrical contact with the earth.
vii) Grounded:
A structure is supposed to be
adequately grounded if it is connected to
earth or to some conducting body that is
connected to earth.
viii) Hazardous Area
In accordance with the Petroleum
Rules, an area shall be deemed to be a
hazardous area, where:
a) Petroleum having flash point below
65o C or any flammable gas or vapour
in a concentration capable of ignition is
likely to be present.
b) Petroleum or any flammable liquid
having flash point above 65o C is likely
to be refined, blended, handled or
stored at or above its flash point .
For details, refer OISD Standard 113 on
Electrical Area Classification.
ix) Shall
“Shall” indicates a mandatory
requirement.
x) Should
“Should” indicates a requirement
which is recommendatory in nature.
xi) Side Flash:
An electric spark, caused by
differences of potential, occurring between
conductive metal bodies or between such
metal bodies and a component of the
lightning protection system or ground.
xii) Spark Gap:
As used in this code, the term
spark gap means any short air space
between two conductors electrically
insulated from or remotely electrically
connected to each other.
xiii) Striking Distance:
The distance over which the final
breakdown of the initial stroke occurs.
xiv) Surge Arrestor:
A protective device for limiting
surge voltages by discharging or
bypassing surge current. It also prevents
continued flow of follow current while
remaining capable of repeating these
functions.
xv) Vapour Openings:
Openings through a tank shell or
roof above the surface of the stored
hydrocarbon. Such openings may be
provided for tank breathing, tank gauging,
fire fighting, or other operating purpose.
xvi) Zone of Protection:
Zone of Protection is the space
around a lightning conductor in which the
probability of lightning stroke is small.
4.0 LIGHTNING PHENOMENON
Lightning is a natural
phenomenon which is said to be formed
as a result of a natural build up of
electrical charge separation in thunder
clouds. In thunder clouds, normally, ice-
crystals become positively charged while
water droplets become negatively
charged. In most of the cases, these
2
particles are so distributed as to give rise
to a negative charge build-up at the base
of the cloud.
The negative charge at the cloud-
base gives rise to a positive build-up of
charge on the earth. The build-up
continues till the potential difference
between the earth and the cloud base
becomes so large that it causes a
breakdown of the resistance of air
medium, thereby creating a lightning
discharge.
The majority of lightning strokes
are known to occur with the generation of
a negative leader from the cloud to the
ground. The leader travels earthwards in
discreet steps of approximately 30 to 60
meters each. When this stepped leader is
near the ground, its negative charge
induces greater amounts of positive
charges on the earth, especially on
objects projecting above the earth’s
surface. These charges attract each other
and a cloud bound upward streamer is
launched from the ground. The two meet
and form a completely conducting path
and very high current flows along this path
to equalize the potential difference. This
is termed as the return stroke. Discharge
phenomenon is pictorially depicted in
Fig.1.
Some typical values of the
stepped leader and return stroke are as
follows:-
a) Stepped Leader
- Average Current 0.1 to 1 KA
- Speed of Propagation 2 X 105m/Sec.
-Length of Steps 30 to 60m
apprx.
- Potential difference > 107 to 109
between leader & volts
earth.
b) Return Stroke
- Peak current of first
return Stroke 30 KA
- Speed of Propagation 1/3 Speed
of Light
-

FIGURE 1

1

Wave Shape Rise time 2 to 10 micro Sec
Total discharge time to 50% 10-250
micro sec.
- Channel Temperature 30,000o K
(For more details on Lightning
Phenomenon , reference may be made to
the book on “Lightning” by R.H. Golde)
The frequency of lightning differs
from region to region. Statistical data for
the number of thunderstorms in a given
place is compiled and the yearly average
is termed as Ceraunic number. The
higher this number, the larger is probability
of a lightning stroke.
It is estimated that about 2,000
storms exist at any one time in the world,
bombarding the earth each year with over
3 billion lightning strokes.
Lightning strokes could result in
direct strikes or indirect strikes.
4.1 Direct Strikes
Direct-stroke of lightning can
cause severe damage to objects that
come in its path. The damage is largely
caused by heat, mechanical forces and
ignition of flammable materials. Typically
a direct-stroke on a tree generates so
much heat and mechanical force that it
tears the limbs off the tree and scatters
the bark over a wide area. Humans can
suffer heart failure, brain damage,
suspension of breathing or paralysis,
burns etc.,
4.2 Indirect Strikes
In addition to the direct-stroke, the
abrupt change in the electrical field,
caused by a lightning stroke, can cause
the lightning conductors to have potentials
of mega volts with respect to the true
earth, instantaneously. Any nearby metal
work which is earthed offers a low
impedance path to the stroke and the
discharge can flash over to this nearby
metal work, when the magnitude of the
potential is adequate to breakdown the
gap.
4.3 EFFECTS OF LIGHTNING
STROKE
2
4.3.1 Electrical
As the current is discharged
through the resistance of the earth
electrode of the lightning protection
system, it produces a resistive voltage
drop which may momentarily raise the
potential of the protective system to high
value relative to the true earth. It may also
produce around the earth electrode a high
potential gradient dangerous to persons
and animals.
4.3.2 Side Flashing
The point of strike on the
protective system may be raised to a high
potential with respect to adjacent metal.
There is, therefore a risk of flash over from
the protective system to any other metal
on or in the structure.
4.3.3 Thermal
Although the lightning discharge
current is high, its duration is short, its
thermal effect on the protective system is
usually negligible. In general the cross
section area of lightning conductors is
chosen primarily to satisfy the requirement
of mechanical strength.
4.3.4 Mechanical
Where a high current is
discharged along parallel conductor at
close proximity or along a single conductor
with sharp bends, considerable
mechanical forces are produced.
5.0 LIGHTNING PROTECTION
CONCEPTS
Based on the understanding of the
lightning discharge phenomenon, following
important points need to be noted.
a) The down leader is self triggering and
erratic in its downward movement. Its
initiation, progress and direction is
currently beyond the power of man to
control.
b) The final earth strike point is
determined by the nature and location
of ground points which compete to
create upward intercepting leaders.
c) The first upward leader to intercept the
downward leader completes the path
 for the main lightning discharge and
usually causes all other down leader
branches to collapse. Double
discharges can occur when two down
leaders approach earth with same time
and distance parameters. It is not
necessary that all up leaders shall
intercept a down leader.
5.1
Lightning protection concepts are
based on either:
Delaying the release of upward
streamer for the area to be protected
(or)
Release of upward streamer from a
pre-defined point of the protected structure
to divert upon itself the stroke channel and
neutralize all the secondary effects.
The first approach is the preventive
approach while the second is the remedial
or control approach.
5.2 Remedial Approach
a) The remedial approach consists of
providing safety against lightning
strokes by employing means to
capture the lightning stroke leader.
Protection means in remedial
approach are designed:
- To convey the lightning energy to
earth via a defined route.
- To ensure low impedance
connection to the earth mass.
- To eliminate the secondary effects.
b) The basic components of a lightning
protection system in the remedial
approach are:
Air Terminal:-
The air terminal captures the stepped
leader of a lightning stroke by
launching an upward interception
streamer.
Down Conductor:-
The conductor which connect air
termination to earth termination is
3
called down conductor.
The down conductor coveys the
lightning energy to the earth in a safe
and well defined path thereby
preventing damage to the protected
structure and avoiding side flashing.
Earth Connection.
The connection to the earth mass
shall have a low impedance to prevent
the rise of potential of surrounding
earth mass and maximize the rate of
fall of potential away from the
connection point. The earth mass with
the earth conductors embedded in the
soil provides safe discharge of
lightning current into the soil.
The remedial approach to lightning
protection has four options:
- Conventional air terminal
(Franklin Rod)
- Faraday Cage
- Ionizing air terminal
- Laser Beam
The Franklin rod is a sharp
pointed rod designed to intercept the
leader of lightning stroke and to transfer
the electric charge to the earth.
The Faraday cage consists of
metallic material completely surrounding
the protected structure and resulting in its
electrostatic shielding. For lightning
protection purpose, conductors are
spaced in a criss-crossed fashion across
the roof structure and sides.
The early streamer emission
system employs either a terminal of
specific shape (Sphere as in the case of
Dynasphere) or enhanced ionizing
radioactive air terminal for the generation
of ions. Air terminal is connected to a
special down conductor attached to an
earthing system.
The use of Lasers was proposed
in 1974 to discharge thunder storms. The
laser beam would produce multi-photon
ionization. The laser beam could thus
intercept a leader as it developed towards
the earth, and act as a conductor from
the cloud to the ground and then be
terminated to a down conductor and the
earth mass.
 included as an option in any international
The disadvantages of the Faraday standards/practice on lightning protection.
cage are related to its high cost and the
fact that it has no impact on the 6.0 LIGHTNING PROTECTION
electromagnetic pulse related to a close SYSTEM
lightning stroke. The major drawbacks to
the laser beam are high cost, state of 6.1 Need For Protection
development and the problems of diverting
stroke energy to earth without damage to 6.1.1 The necessity of providing lightning
the laser itself. protection for structures located in
non-hazardous areas shall be
5.3 Preventive Approach assessed by calculating overall risk
factor. However, for hazardous
The preventive approach employs areas lightning protection is
method to prevent build-up of charge in essential considering the serious
the area to be protected. The system consequences of fire/damage due to
shall be able to reduce the potential lightning strokes and shall be
between the protected area and the provided irrespective of the value of
charged clouds, so that the potential risk factor.
difference is not high enough to enable the
generation of a leader to the earth within 6.1.2 Indian Standard IS:2309
the protected area. recommends following factors as a
basis of calculating the overall risk
When a thunder cloud passes factor for assessing the requirement
overhead and the field strength is greater of lightning protection.
2
than 2 KV/M , point discharge currents are
generated. Any natural occurring sharp a. Type of Construction.
point, such as trees, blades of grass on b. Contents of the building and
flat planes or pointed rocks on mountain consequential effects due to
tops will generate corona discharge. lightning stroke.
Point discharge currents act to limit the c. Degree of isolation.
electric strength. Multipoint discharge d. Type of terrain where the structure is
system consist of three elements as located.
shown in Fig. 2 e. Height of the Structure.
f. Lightning prevalence.
a) the dissipator or ionizer g. Usage of the building.
b) the ground current collector
c) the conductors connecting the Depending upon the
dissipator and the ground current characteristic features of above factors,
collect. overall risk factor shall be calculated as
per procedure given in IS-2309.
The configuration depends on the
size and height of the structure to the If the value of risk factor is less
protected, soil conditions, prevailing wind than 10--5 (One in Hundred Thousand),
condition, storm patterns, altitude and then in the absence of any other
keraunic number. The basic configuration overriding consideration, protection may
consists of a conductor with two sharp not be provided.
pointed rods connected at right angles to
each other and the right angle rods or If the risk factor is greater than
spaced along the conductor. The 10--5 (One in Hundred Thousand), then
configuration looks like barbed wire. This sound reasons shall be necessary to
conductor with multiple sets of rods support the decision of not providing the
spaced periodically along the length of lightning protection.
conductor is referred to as the dissipating
medium. Using this dissipating medium 6.2 Zone Of Protection
several array configurations can be
formed. Lightning protection system shall
be designed to protect the structures
It may be noted that as on date
multi-point discharge system is not

4
FIGURE 2

5
system. The path between air termination and earth shall be such that the lightning

current is discharged to earth without passing through non-conducting parts of the building
and also without causing fire, flashover and dangerous potential difference in and around the
structure.

Rolling sphere concept is followed to determine the zone of protection of lightning

conductor.

In this concept, the zone of protection includes the space not intruded by a rolling
sphere having radius equal to the stroking distance when tangent to earth and resting against
a lightning protection air termination, all space between the two points of contact and under
the sphere are in the zone of protection. A zone of protection is also formed when such a
sphere is resting on two or more air terminals and includes the space under the sphere
between those terminals. Fig.3 provides a graphic representation of rolling sphere concept

of zone of protection.

Striking distance of 30 Meters may be considered for the protection of structures

containing flammable materials and striking distance of 60 meters may be considered for
other structures.

Zone of protection for a single mast using 30 meters striking distance is shown in Fig.4
and that for Overhead Ground Wire( Suspended Air Terminals) is shown in Fig 5.

6.3 Lightning Protection of Structures containing flammable materials.

Protection Concept of storage tanks and vessels have been dealt in detail in attached
Appendix-I for guidance in designing lightning protection system.

7.0 CONTROL OF FUGITIVE EMISSION

For any fire to take place, three basic conditions i.e presence of oxygen, flammable
material and source of ignition must simultaneously exist. The lightning stroke i.e. the return
stroke may involve temperatures as high as 30,000o K in the discharge channel. Therefore, if
a direct strike of lightning or sparking due to a side flash takes place on a vent of a cone roof
tank while a flammable mixture is present, fire is bound to take place. it is therefore, essential
that measures to control of fugitive emission from storage tanks are given special
consideration.

The design, operating and maintenance practices for a hydrocarbon installation

should be given due attention to the need of minimising the possibility of presence of
flammable atmospheres. Control of fugitive emissions from vents, proper design and
maintenance of seals of floating roof tanks etc. are essential for avoiding damage to
petroleum installations due to lightning strokes.

Control of fugitive emissions is important from the view point of prevention of fire, in
addition to the benefits of environmental protection and product loss.

2
3
 SINGLE MAST

ZONE OF PROTECTION _DEFINED BY DASHED LINES

Figure 4

4
 ONE OF PROTECTION USING
OVERHEAD GROUND WIRES

ZONE OF PROTECTION DEFINED BY GROUND WIRE (S)

AND DASHED LINES

FIGURE 5

2
8.0 PLANT BUILDING AND
STRUCTURES
The need for the protection of
plant buildings such as substation, control
room office buildings, work shop,
warehouse etc., and cooling towers shall
be assessed taking into consideration the
exposure risk and the following factors:
a) Use to which structure is put.
b) Nature of its construction.
c) Value of its contents or
consequential effects.
d) The location of the structure and
e) The height and the effective
collection area of the structure.
The overall risk factor shall be
established as per the guidelines of
IS:2309 to decide the need for protection.
Structures of exceptional
vulnerability by reason of explosive or
highly flammable contents need special
consideration and every possible
protection need to be provided even
against the rare occurrence of a lightning
discharge.
8.1 General Design Requirements.
A lightning protection system
(Conventional Air Terminal System)
consists of the following three basic
components:
a) Air terminal
b) Down conductor
c) Earth connection
8.1.1 Air Termination System
The air terminal shall be capable
of drawing the lightning discharge to it in
preference to vulnerable parts of the
protected structure. The air terminations
can be of vertical or horizontal type.
Conductors shall be
interconnected to form a closed loop.
Vertical air terminations shall be
used for very high structures with small
base areas e.g. non-conducting chimneys
etc. Minimum 2 nos. vertical terminations
shall be provided for chimneys.
Vertical air terminations shall
project at least 300 mm above the
protected structure.
2
All the vertical air terminations
provided on the same structure shall be
interconnected.
Where a structure has two
elevations; out of which lower is projecting
outside and the higher elevation does not
protect the lower elevation, separate
network shall be provided for lower
elevation. Both networks shall be
interconnected by connecting the higher
elevation down conductor to the lower
network.
All the metal piping, railing etc., on
the roof shall be bonded to the protective
network.
8.1.1.2 Down Conductors
The recommended spacing of
down conductors is every 20 M of
Perimeter for structures upto 20 M in
height and every 10 M of perimeter for
structured above 20 M height.
8.1.1.3 EARTH TERMINATION
Each down conductor shall be
provided with an earth electrode and all
earth electrodes shall be interconnected
through underground strip.
Lightning protection earthing
system may be bonded to electrical
safety earthing system, inside ground.
The use of rod/pipe/strip
electrodes is permissible. Their choice will
depend upon site conditions, soil resistivity
and economic considerations.
The material of earth electrodes
shall be galvanised iron.
The whole of lightning protective
system including any earth ring shall have
a combined resistance to earth not
exceeding 10 ohm without taking account
of any bonding.
8.1.2 Size and Material of Conductors
The material of air termination
network, down conductor and earth
termination shall be galvanised iron.
Lightning currents have very short
duration, therefore thermal factors are of
little consequence in deciding the cross-
section of the conductor. The minimum
size of the various components of lightning
protection system shall be as follows:
Any metal in or forming part of the
¾ Vertical Air - 25mm dia., structure on any building services having
Termination 1000mm metallic parts which by design or by
long GI chance are in contact with the general
Pipe mass of the earth should be either isolated
from or bonded to the down conductor.
¾ Horizontal air - 25mm X
termination 3mm GI The same general recommendation
Strip (or) applies to all exposed large metal items
40mm X whether connected to earth or not. ( In
5mm GI this context a large item is considered as
Strip one having any single dimension greater
than 2 m.) Minor items such as door
¾ Down conductors - Same as hinges, metal gutter brackets,
horizontal air reinforcement of small isolated beams
termination. may be disregarded.

¾ Earth terminations - 65 mm dia., If portions of a structure vary

3000mm
long G.I pipe
in Test pit.
All hardwares used for earth
connection shall be hot dipped galvanised
or Zinc passivated. The amount of
galvanising shall be 610 gm/sq.mt as per
Industry Practice.
8.2 Protection of Sub-station, Control
Room, Pump Houses, UHF /
Microwave Tower and similar
functional buildings and Structures.
These structures are generally
made of insulating materials such as
concrete and brick. Protection against
direct stroke of lightning is made by
properly designed air termination network
which may consist of vertical, horizontal
conductors or combination of both.
Depending upon the form of the
building, required number of down
conductors shall be provided as per the
guidelines given in IS:2309. Down
conductor system shall be routed directly
(where practicable) from the air
termination to the earth termination
network and be symmetrically placed
around the outside walls of the structure
starting from the corners.
considerably in height, any necessary air
terminations or air termination networks
for the lower portions should be bonded to
the down conductors of the taller portions
in addition to their own down conductors.
Typical examples of air terminations for
flat roof, large area roof of various profiles
are illustrated in Fig.6 and 7.
All members of UHF/Microwave tower
steel structure should be connected with
eachother through bolt/nut properly
tigthtened at more than one point and
whole structure should be electrically
continuous and earthed properly,so that
the structure can be used as down
conductor.
8.3 Protection of Compressor House,
Truck Loading, Wagon Loading
Structures.
These are in general steel framed
building structures, the frame work itself
provides an efficient natural network of
many paths to earth. The structural steel
columns shall be connected to the plant
earth grid and as such down conductors
are not required. The resistance of the
total structure to the general mass of earth
shall be measured using earth meggar
and it shall be less than 10 ohms.

The rolling sphere concept of

protection shall be adopted to determine
the area/zone of the protection taking into
account the possibility of side strikes to
the structures.

3
4
5
 A network of horizontal
conductors (air termination system) should
be fixed to the roof of structure as per the
guidelines of IS-2309.
Ventilators and other roof
projections of non-metallic construction
shall be protected by means of air terminal
system and connected to the steel frame
of structure.
major metal forming part of the structure,
including continuous metal reinforcement
and services, should be bonded together
and connected to the lightning protective
system. Such connections should be
made in atleast two places and should,
wherever possible, be equally spaced
around the perimeter of the structure at
intervals not exceeding 15 m. For further
details refer IS-2309.
Metal inside the structure should
be bonded to the lightning protective
system.
Vents and exhaust stacks from
process plants emitting flammable
vapours or dusts should be fitted with
flame traps.
8.4 Protection of Stacks.
Non-conducting chimneys whose
overall width or diameter at top is upto
1.5m shall be provided with one down
conductor, and chimneys with overall
width or diameter at top more than 1.5m
shall be provided with 2 no. down
conductors as shown in Fig.8.
Metal stacks shall be properly
earthed at the bottom. No air
terminal/down conductors are required if
the thickness of sheet steel is more than
4.8 mm.
9.0 PROTECTION OF STORAGE
TANKS
9.1 Following fundamental principles
of lightning protection of the structures and
their contents shall be adhered to:-
a) Flammable liquids shall be stored
in essentially gastight structures.
b) Openings where flammable
concentrations of vapour or gas can
escape to the atmosphere shall be
6
closed or otherwise protected against
the entrance of flame.
c) Structures and all accessories e.g.
dip-gauge hatches, vent valves shall
be maintained in good and sound
operating conditions.
d) Flammable air-vapour mixtures shall
be prevented to the greatest possible
extent from accumulating outside
such structures.
e) Potential spark-gaps between
metallic conductors shall be avoided
at points where flammable vapours
may escape or accumulate.
f) Sheet steel of thickness less than 4.8
mm shall not be used as a material
of construction for the tanks and
vessels.
A properly designed / constructed
gas tight storage tanks considered to be
self-protected against lightning, provided
it is properly earthed and bonded. Such a
structure may not require any additional
means of lightning protection.
9.2 Normally in hydrocarbon industry two
types of above ground storage tanks
are in use for storage of flammable
liquids at atmospheric pressure:
1) Fixed roof type tanks
2) Floating roof type tanks
Protection against lightning for
these two types of storage tanks are
illustrated below:
Fixed roof type tanks:
The contents of metallic tanks with
steel roofs of riveted, bolted or welded
construction with or without supporting
members, used for the storage of
flammable liquids at atmospheric pressure
are considered to be inherently self-
protecting against lightning if the following
requirements are met:
a) All joints between metallic plates shall
be fully riveted, bolted or welded.
b) All pipes entering or connected with the
tank shall be metallically connected
and properly bonded with the tank at
the point of entrance.
Figure 8 : Lightning protection of RCC Chimneys

1
 FIGURE – 9 EARTHING OF THE TANKS
NOTE: No of earth connections shall be decided based on tank diameter considering that the
spacing between any two earth connections shall not exceed thirty meters along the tank
perimeter.

1
FIGURE – 10 TYPICAL EARTH CONNECTION

2
c) All vapour or gas openings shall be closed
or provided with flame protection devices
when the stored stock may produce a
flammable air-vapour mixture under
storage conditions.
d) The roof shall have a minimum thickness
of 4.8mm.
e) The roof shall be welded, fully bolted or
riveted to the tank shell.
Tanks shall be grounded to conduct
away the current of direct strokes and to
avoid the buildup and potential that may
cause sparks to ground. A metal tank shall
be grounded by one of the following
methods:
a) A tank is connected without insulated
joints to a grounded metallic piping
system.
b) A vertical cylindrical tank rests on earth
or concrete and is at least 6m in
diameter or rests on bituminous
pavements and is at least 15 M in
diameter.
c) By bonding the tank to ground through a
minimum of two ground terminals as
shown in Fig.9 at maximum 30 M
intervals along the perimeter of tank.
This also applies to tanks with an
insulting membrane beneath the tank.
d) Storage tanks having cathodic protection
system require special consideration
while designing the grounding system.
Floating Roof Tanks:
In addition to the concepts followed in
case of fixed roof type tanks, following
measures are essential in case of floating
roof type tanks used for storage of flammable
liquids:
a) Metallic straps (Shunts) at intervals of not
over 3 meter length on the circumference
of the roof between the floating roof and
the metallic shoe that slides on the inside
of the shell will permit the charge to drain
off without igniting vapour under the seal.
Shunt of flexible Type 302, 28 gauge (0.4
mm X 51 mm) wide stainless steel straps
or the equivalent current carrying capacity
and corrosion resistance are used. (Ref.
Fig.10)
b) Tanks without a vapour space at the seal
3
or with non-conductive seals do not
generally require shunts at the seal.
However, if shunts are not provided a
tight seal must be maintained to prevent
accumulation of vapours. Where metallic
weather shields cover the seals they shall
maintain contact with the shell.
c) Where a floating roof tank is equipped
with both primary and secondary seals in
compliance with environmental
regulations, shunts shall be installed so
that they directly contact the tank shell
above the secondary seal as in case of
primary seals explained in “a” above.
d) All conductive parts of internal floating
covers or the floating portions of covered
floating roof tanks, ladders should be
electrically interconnected and bonded to
the tank roof/shell.
10.0 REFERENCES:
The following codes, standards and
publications have either been referred to or
used in the preparation of this document and
the same shall be read in conjunction with
this document:
1) OISD Standards/ Recommended
Practices such as:
a) OISD- 149; Design Aspects for Safety
in Electrical System.
b) OISD- 137 Inspection of Electrical
Equipment.
2) BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)
Publication.
a) IS-2309: Protection of Buildings & allied
structures against lightning.
3 International Code of Practice / guidelines
a) API Recommended Practice 2003:
Protection against ignition arising
out of Static, Lightning and Stray
Currents -
b) NFPA 780: Standard for the
installation of Lightning Protection
Systems.
c) BS 6651 Code of Practice for Protection
of Structures against Lightning.
d) Electrical Safety Code - Institute of
Petroleum, U.K.
4. Lightning, Vol.1 & 2 by R.H. Golde.
 APPENDIX- I

A1. PROTECTION CONCEPTS OF STORAGE TANKS AND VESSELS

The need for the Protection against Lightning for Storage Tanks, Spheres, Bullets
containing flammable materials is self evident.

A properly bonded and earthed metallic storage tank of adequate shell/roof thickness is self
protected against lightning, provided these are tightly sealed to prevent the escape of liquid, vapour,
or gas.

It is to be noted that, pressure vessels such as spheres and bullets are gas tight by the
design of its construction. Hence, properly earthed spheres and bullets are self protected and do
not need additional measures against lightning protection.

Where the probability of flammable atmosphere around the rim of a floating roof tank and
around the vent of a fixed roof tank is relatively high as compared to other locations around the
tankages, augmentation of lightning protection system may be considered. It may however be
borne in mind that the only effective defence against ignition by a direct strike is a tight seal.

Lightning conductor as part of lightning protection system is incapable of discharging a

thunder cloud without a lightning flash. It is thus obvious that in case of a lightning strike, the source
of ignition is present due to temperatures of around 30,000o K in the discharge channel of a return
stroke or the secondary arc in case of a indirect strike

The underlying principle for augmenting lightning protection to hydrocarbon storage tanks,
is therefore based on shifting the point of strike of lightning stroke to a safe area above the vapour
space (or above the classified zones for hazardous atmosphere) so that ignition of vapours
probably present above the roof does not take place.

A1.1 Accordingly the following options are available for the augmentation of the lightning
protection system.

I) Use of lightning Air Terminals on the tank shell.

ii) Use of lightning protection masts around the storage tanks.

iii) Use of overhead shield wire.

While designing the above options following important aspects need to be kept in mind:

a) Striking distance of 30 m is to be considered for applying the rolling sphere concept of protected
zone.

b) Increasing the height of lightning masts above the striking distance (30 m) will not increase the
zone of protection. Zones of protection for varying mast height and a striking distance of 30 m
are shown in Fig.A1..

c) To prevent side flashes, the minimum distance between a mast or overhead ground wire and
the structure to be protected shall be not less than the bonding distance or sideflash distance.

Sideflash distance from a mast can be calculated by the formula:

D = h
6

Where h = height of structure.

4
Figure A1

5
Sideflash distance from a catenary may be calculated as:

D = I_
6n

Where I = Length of lightning protection cable between its grounded point and the point under
consideration.

n = Between 1 to 2.25 depending upon the number of down conductors and their spacing.

A1.2 Air Terminals installed on Tank Shell:

Protection zone provided by air terminals installed on the tank shall depend upon the tank
dia, height of air terminal and spacing of air terminals around the tank perimeter. A conventional 6
m high air terminal, spaced about 20 m around the periphery protects an area upto 15 to 18 m from
the tank shell. This implies that lightning protection using air terminals installed on the tank walls
can completely protect a storage tank upto 30 M dia whereas the center portion of the roof remains
unprotected for tank diameters more than 30m as shown in Fig.A2

The use of air terminals can be applied to floating roof tanks for reducing the probability of
rim fires due to lightning strikes since the space around the rim has relatively higher possibility of
flammable atmosphere being present due to leakage from improper sealing.

Where the tanks walls are of thickness more than 4.8 mm, separate down conductors, are
not required and tank wall itself can be used as down conductor with the proper connection of air
terminals to the tank shell. Typical details are given in Fig.A3.

Number of 6 m high air terminals (spaced about 20 m around the perimeter) required for
various tank diameters are tabulated below:

TANK DIA NUMBER OF

AIR TERMINALS

Upto 12M 3
13 - 21M 4
22 - 32M 5
33 - 38M 6
39 - 45M 7
46 - 51M 8
52 - 57M 9
58 - 63M 10
64 - 71M 11
72 - 79M 12

A1.3 Lightning Masts around Storage Tanks

For a lightning mast to prevent fires due to lightning, following basic factors need to be
borne in mind:

a) Lightning mast located more than 30m away from the tank irrespective of the height of the mast
does not provide any improvement to the self protected storage tank.

b) Lightning mast should be located close to the tank and the minimum distance is dictated by the
side flash distance and the practical considerations for mast installation.

In view of above, lightning mast is required to be located at around 5 to 6 m from the tank
shell.

Protection zone of a system of lightning masts with mast height equal to 15 m more than

6
AIR TERMINALS ON TANK WALLS

NO. OF AIR TERMINALS

FIGURE A2

7
DETAILS OF AIR TERMINALS ON TANKS

FIGURE A3

8
the tank height and spacing of about 24 m around the tank is almost same as that provided with the
use of lightning conductors installed on the tank shell, the number of lightning masts and the
lightening conductors on shell being the same. Protection zone for a 50 m dia tank using lightning
masts is illustrated in Fig.A4.

It is thus obvious that both a system of lightning masts around the tank or lightning
conductors provided on the tank wall provide similar protection to the tank for preventing fires due to
lightning. Lightning masts are much more expensive as compared to the air terminals on the shell
while the lightning masts would be easier to install as a retrofit in an operating plant in comparison
to the air terminals, since the latter would require welding work on the tank wall.

Lightning mast can be of tubular design or a lattice structure of angle irons. Earthing
system of the lightning mast shall have to be bonded to the earthing system of the associated
storage tank.

A1.4 Use of Overhead Shield Wire

A system of overhead earth wires can be designed to provide complete protection to a

storage tank within the realm of rolling sphere concept based on a striking distance of 30 m. A
single earth wire with a minimum clearance of about 8 m above the highest point of the tank can
protect a tank of about 6 to 8 m diameter. For tank diameters between 8 to 30 m two parallel earth
wires shall be required while for tank diameters between 30 to 80 m three parallel overhead earth
wires shall be needed as a minimum.

Protection zones using a system overhead earth wires are shown in Fig.A5.

Supporting structures for the overhead earth wires can be either of tubular design or a
lattice structure. Height of the structure shall be decided based on the height of the topmost point
on the tank roof and the side flash distance. The supporting structure shall also have to be located
sufficiently away from the tank so as to prevent any side flash. The earth-wire shall be bonded to
the steel supporting structure which can serve as a down conductor. Earthing system of the
supporting structure shall be bonded with the tank earthing system.

A1.5

With regard to protection for structures containing flammbale vapours, gases or liquids that can
give off flammable vapours, the following principles should be followed:

a) Liquids that can give off flammable vapours shall be stored in essentially gastight structures.

b) Openings where flammable concentrations of vapour or gas can escape to the atmosphere shall
be closed or otherwise protected against the entrance of flame.

c) Structures and all appurtenances (e.g. dip-gauge hatches, vent valves) shall be maintained in
good operating conditions.

d) Flammable air-vapour mixtures shall be prevented to the greatest possible extent from
accumulating outside such structures.

e) Potential spark-gaps between metallic conductors shall be avoided at points where flammable
vapours may escape or accumulate.

9
FIGURE A4

10
FIGURE A5

11