NIGC-IGS STD.BSI BS BLSI-ENGL 1999 MM 1b24bb9 0875929 49] me BRITISH STANDARD BS 6651:1999 Incomporating Corrigendum No. 1 & Code of practice for Rica protection of structures | +0» against lightning mars eso12040 a NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW ila” “Sia”BS 6651:1999 STD-BSI BS BbSL-ENGL 1999 MM bb24bb9 0675920 103 mm ‘Ths Brosh Standard, having ‘been prepared under the direction of he Eletrotachnical Polley and Stracegy Sector Commitee, was published under the authority ofthe Standards (Commie and comes ta effect fon IS Septerber 1000 ensio.200 ‘Tho following BST efaronces relate to the work on this Sanda CConitee reference GELS Draft for comment 287264818 DC ISBN 0580 33042 7 Committees responsible for this British Standard ‘The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical Committee GELAL, Protection against lighting, upon which the following bodies were represented: Association of Consulting Engineers BEAMA Electrical Cable and Conductor Accessory Manufacturers’ Association British Telecommunications ple Couneil for the Care of Churches Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Electricity Association Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association ERA Technology Ltd. National Federation of Master Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers Ministry of Defence Amendments issued since publication ‘Amd No. Date ‘Comments 11076 Corrigendum No.1 | 2000 Copyright by the British Standards Institution Wed Ju 3 1151.28 2005Copyright by the British Slandards Institution Wed Ju STD-BSI BS GbS}-ENGL 1999 MMH 2b24bb9 087592) OWT mm BS 6651:1999 ee Contents Page ‘Committees responsible Inside front cover Foreword i Irvroducton Scope 1 2 Nommative references 3 Definitions and abbreviations 4° Technical aspects of lightning 5 Bifects of lightning strike 6 Funetion of a lightning conductor 7 Materials 8 Dimensions 9 Basic considerations 10 Need for protection 11 Zone of protection 12 General considerations for system design 13 Consultation 14 Component parts 15 Air terminations 16 Down conductors 17 Earth termination network 18 Earth electrodes 19 Metal in ar on a structure 20 Structures exceeding 20 m in height 21 Structures with roofs of high flammability 22 Buildings with explosive or highly flaramable contents 23 Dwelling houses 24 Fences 25 Trees and structures near trees 26 Structures with radio and television aerials 27 Miscellaneous structures Corrosion ‘Structures Overhead power lines Inspection ‘Testing Records ‘Maintenance and upkeep ‘Annex A (informative) Explanatory notes on some of the recommendations of 28RB2Ss8e8 AAANUNAGASSVSSSSSASRRBEIE Rh aaaeH---! this code 76 ‘Annex B (informative) Guidance on the application of BS 6851 aL Annex (: (informative) (ieneral advice on protection against lightning of electronic equipinent within or on structures a Bibliography it Figure 1 — Lightning flash density to ground (N,) per square Kilometre per year for the British Isles 4 Figure 2— ‘Typical designs for lightning conduetor fixings: 7 Figure 3 — Map showing thunderstorm days per year throughout the world 4 Figure 4 — Details of structures and collection areas 20 Figure 6 — Examples of lightning protection systems for brick chimneys at Figure 6 — Protective angles and zones of protection for varions forms of air ‘termination 2 © Rst 00.2000 3 1151.28 2005BS 6651:1999 STD-BSI BS GLSI-ENGL 1999 MM LL24LL9 0875922 Tab mm ‘Page igure 7 — Examples of air terminations and down conductors using tundra, ‘metal copings and reinforcing bars 26 Figure 8 — Test joints 27 Figure 9 — Typical forms of vertical air terminations 28 Figure 10 — Air terminations for a flat roof 2 Figure 11 — Air terminations for lat roofs at diferent levels 30 ‘Figure 12 — Air terminations for large areas of roof of various profiles 31 Figure 13 — Air terminations and concealed conductors for buildings less ‘than 20 m high with sloping roofs 32 ‘Figure 1d — Air terminations and down conductors for flat roof buildings. 33 Figure 15 — Air terminations for tall conducting structures ow ‘Figure 16 — Air termination network with horizontal conductors for structure with explosive or highly flammable contents 35 Figure 17 — Air termination for a flat roof showing connection to standing ‘seam joint when a metallic roof is used as part of the air termination network 36 Figure 18 — Air termination and zone of protection for simple structure with, explosive or highly faumable contents 38 Figure 19 — Pattems of down conductors (natural or not) for various forms of tall building a Figure 20 — Voltage gradients along ground surface near to masts, towers and columns with single multiple earth electrodes (see 16.2 and A.1.2) 2 igure 21 — Down conductor in intemal duct 8 Figure 22 — Reentrant loops “4 Figure 25 — Lightning protection system for tall buildings (over 20 m high) showing air terminations, down conductors, bonds to projections above roof 47 Figure 24 — Example of an earth electrode seal for use within a tanked smucture 49 Figure 25 — Earth terminations arrangement of earth electrodes 0 Figure 26 — Curve for determining the probable maximum current in the lightning flash from the ratio ppg a Figure 27 — Transfer inductanee in simple loop 52 Figure 28 — Curve for determination of flashover voltage as function of spacing 55 Figure 20 — Plan of collection area % Figure 30 — Diagram showing bonding to services (gas, water and electricity) 57 Figure 31 — Church towers and spires 50 Figure 22 — Air termination with twin suspended horizontal conductor and ‘zone of protection for structures with explosive or highly flammable contents 0 ‘Figure 33 — Vertical air termination for protection of explosive stores 61 Figure 34 — Exceptional protection against overvoltages induced by lightning in incoming supplies to buildings with explosive or highly flammable contents co Figure 35 — Lighting protection for domestic properties 6 Figure 96 — Lightning protection for tents 8 ‘Figure 37 — Lightning protection (low cost installation) for isolated farm buildings of brick and te construction °° ‘Figure 38 — Lightning protection system for sports stadium (football ground) 70 Figure 39 — Typical arrangement for protection of windmills 3 Figure 40 — Bridges 4 Figure A — Examples of use of the “rolling sphere method” fur assis tall complex building for regions where air terminations are needed 80 Figure C.1 — Strike locaton points to industrial installations which could affect electronic systems 9 Figure C.2 — Configurations involving electronic equipment 87 Figure C3 — Lightning current distribution in a fiteen stanchion building 88 3 1151.28 2005 © Bst 08.2000 Copyright by the British Slandards InstitutionSTD-BSI BS bbS}-ENGL 3999 MM 2b24bb9 0875923 412 a BS 6651: 1999 — Figure Cd — Plan view of fifteen stanchion building showing resulting field line plot (transfer inductance contours) for lightning pulse gure €.5 — Collection area of structure and adjacent associated structure Figure C.6 — Cables entering a bullding separated from a transmitter mast Figure C.7 — Bonding of cables and pipes at entry and exit to buildings Figure C8 — Methods of reducing induced voltages Figure €.9 — Hybrid earth system applied to equipment in multifloor building Figure C.10 — Barth connection from zero voltage reference of equipment to earth of surge protection devices Figure C.L1 — Direct injection into exposed electrical systems Figure C.12 — Protection from direct injection Figure C.13 — Proteetion of cables located alongside tall vssels and bonding at roof level Figure C.14 — Locations where high, medium or low lightning current can be expected to flow through cables associated with @ reaction vessel Figure C.15 — Lightning current characteristics for severe negative strike Figure C.16 Strike points on plant Figure C.17 — Inductance Figure C.18 — Simplified circuit diagram of the combination wave generator Figure C.19 — Waveshape of open circuit voltage (1.2/80 41s) C20 — Waveshape of short circuit current (890 us) ‘Table | — Recommended fixing centres for conductors Table 2 — Recommended materials for the manufacture of earthing ‘components ‘Table 3 — Some characteristics of typical matertals listed in Table 2 Table 4 — Minimu dinuersions of component pars Table 5 — Minimum thicknesses of sheet metal used for roofing and forming part of the air termination network ‘Table 6 — Relationship betweon thunderstorm days per year and lightning flashes per square kilometre per year ‘Table 7 — Comparative probability of death for an individual per year of exposure (order of magnitude only) ‘Table 8 — Weighting factor A (use of structure) ‘Table 9 — Weighting factor B (type of construction) ‘Table 10 — Weighting factor C (contents or consequential effects) Table 11 — Weighting factor D (degree of isolation) ‘Table 12 — Weighting factor E (type of terrain) Table 13 — Examples of calculations for evaluating the need for protection ‘Table Al — Relationship between diameter and maes of electrodes Table C.l — Effective collection area of mains services Table C2 — Effective collection area of data lines ‘Table C.3 — Weighting factor F (type of construction) Table C4 — Weighting factor ( (degree of isolation) ‘Table C25 — Welghting factor Hf (type of terrain) Table C.6 — Classification of structures and contents ‘Table C.7 — Classification of exposure level ‘Tuble C8 — Location category A (mains) ‘Table C.9 — Location category B (mains) Table C.10 — Location category C (mains) Table C.11 — Location category C (data lines) 105 2 13 5 16 16 16 16 16 18 6 0 OL 1 1 1 92 me uz 42 m2 43 ‘Table C.12 — Definitions of the waveshape parameters 1.2/50 pss 1d © Bt on 2000 Copyright by the British Slandards institution Wed Jul 13 1:51.29 2005Copyright by the British Standards Institution Wed Ju BS 6651:1999 STD-BSI BS BhS}-ENGL 14999 MM bb24bb4 0875924 859 Ml Foreword ‘This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee GEL/81 and. ‘supersedes BS 6851:1002, which fs withdrawn. Some of the changes introduced since the publication of the previous edition include: — the provision of a new lightning flash density map (Figure 1), compiled from data, accumulated over the last ten years; —a simple calculation, based on TEC findings, relating to buildings with ‘cantilevered upper floors and the risk of side flashing from external down ‘conductors to persons standing under the overhang, — modifications o Figure 13 to clarify the positioning of air lenin on buildings with sloping roofs; — modifications to Figure 28 to give additional information relating to flashover voltage through cracks in mortar and brickwork. Corrigendum No. 1 (September 2000) makes corrections to the following: Figure I; Table 1, last row; Table 9, row 3; ‘Table 10, title and heading of column 1; Table 13, rows a) and f); Figure 13a, diagram 3; 19.2.1.4 equation in exaaple of use of equation (6); 19.3.9 (deletion of last three paragraphs), 27.7 item 8. The principle informing all the provisions of this British Standard is that of the “Faraday cage" form of lightning protection. The Technical Committee is aware of development and research on other technologies inthe field of lightning protection that has been taking place in recent years, but it is the Committee's considered opinion that the materials, extent and dimensions of te air terminations, down conductors, carth terminations, bonding, components, etc. as laid down in this code of practice be ‘udhered to in ful imespective of any devices or systems employed which are claimed to provide enhanced protection. ‘This standard is intended to provide guidance on the principles and practice that experience has shown to be Important in protecting structures against damage from lightning. It examines the characteristics of the lightning phenomenon and indicates {he statistical nature of the evidence on which assessments for protection are based. Guidance is also provided on the need for protection for structures in general and for specific structures that are considered to be most at risk; these recommendations are an economic compromise between absolule protection and the cost of the installation. ‘The protection of electronic equipment against lightning continues to be the subject of standardization work inthe international and European Standards fora. However, until definitive European Standards are available for adaption as Hriish Standards, the ‘Technical Committee maintains the general advice on the subject which is given in ‘As a code of practice, this British Standard takes the form of guidance and recommendations. It should not be quoted as if it were a specification and particular ccare should be taken to ensure that claims of compliance are not misleading, WARNING Attention is drawn to the danger of installing or carrying out maintenance ‘work on lightning protection systems or surge protection devices during a storm. A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a ‘contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application, Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations. Summary of pages ‘This document comprises a front cover, an Inside front cover, pages | to Wv, pages 1 to 118, an inside back cover and a back cover. ‘The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document was last issued. 3 1151.29 2005 ‘© BSI 08-2000STD-BSI BS bbS}-ENGL 14999 MMH 2b24Lb9 O875925 795 mw BS 6651:1999 ee Introduction Lightning is a natural hazard, being the discharge of static electricity generated in parts, called “cells", of storm clouds. In the UK, about one million flashes strike the ground each decade. Some lightning Mashes damage buildings and a few kill or injure people and animals, cither directly or indirectly by causing fire and explosions. Statisties for deaths by lightning show the risk to be very low, being one in two million per year (see 10.8). ‘This British Standard outlines the general tecluical aspects of lightning, ilustrating its principal electrical, thermal and mechanical effects. Guldance is given on how to assess the risk of being struck and how to compile an index figure as an aid to deciding whether a particular structure is in need of protection. The guidance given is of a general nature and its application to specific lightning protection Installations has to take into account the particnar pertaining to those installations. In cases ty, specialist advice should be sought. It is emphasized that even where protection is provided it can never he completely effective in eliminating the risk of damage to the structure. NOTH 1. Some explanatory information about the recommendations ofthis standard is given in annex A. NOTE 2 ll structures shown in gues are “typical” only and are ot intended ae designe NOTES Custarce onthe application ofthe standard is even in NOTE 4 General advice on the prosection of electronic equipment sine ghning is even inane C. 1 Scope This British Standard provides guidance on the design of systems for the protection of structures against lightning and on the selection of materials. Recommendations are made for special cases such as explosives stores and temporary structures, eg. cranes and spectator stands constructed of metal scaffolding. Guidance is also given on the protection of electronically stored data. ‘The principle informing all the provisions of this British Standard is that of the “Faraday cage” form of lightning protection, and installations employing alternative technologies fall outside the scope of this British Standard, Protection of offshore oil and gas installations does not fall within the scope of this British Standard, NOTE, Where current-carrying conductors are directly associated with structures ying within the snap ofthis code of prnctce, ” | conor |rentonbooues [uormaytco | smonne af tw Jendey, [yo raion [serena | sod, | 2000. |.01%4%42°¥ [tap | oy sere pemsa — z « 2 a ¥ ‘wa. [eoreono| samsonsne 0 |” er caomoey | art Tez040 eco Fe TTON pane seas Te | sondored [souorsron or a = z 7 oi y 1 ¢ z T ra or € CPanagquao) wopaaroad 103 pou ow Bupenyead soy SuOPEMO|eO Jo sopTuroxa — G1 OAEL © RSI on2000 Copyright by the Brisk Standards InstitutionSTD-BSI BS BbSI-ENGL 1999 MH UL2Ubb9 0875944 B47 A BS 6651:1999 [Reference] General arrangement Collection ares and method of calculation @ 1s RE —— Agr A %.50 + 205 © By Py +205 14) + xP A.23azr mt He aD + 2 40) +201 x 15) 4x 2F A= 4206 mt 1S © @ Haas Bax By yy Acs 1400? lf ie @ ¢ TeTHO BERD EE 410 Gapprne) for aroas in Back Ap 406 n axa A= 5027 a ” Teg , AEX +208 x1 +e x 1 Aen 400m? ETEK G EXM EXD 46X50 46X 25 +6 x25 @ 1 De meet sox moo me dx axe Ac= 8675 mt wT Hex HARD) Ly 84% a) pr? +20 (approx, for area in black Ace LOT a “A cesions ain neues [NOTE Tai figure chould be wood in conjunction with Table 19. Figure 4 — Details of structures and collection areas 20 © Bt 082000 Copyright by the British Standards Institution Wed Jul 13 11.51.99 2005STD.BST BS GbS}-ENGL 3999 MM 2b24bb9 0875945 583 mm BS 6651:1999 () Chirenays los than 15 m diarotor ‘at top and 20m high O (0) 60 mock sack NOTE This figure does not apply ta ruinorced concrete chimneys where the reinforcing bars can be used as down, ‘conductors (see 16.8). Figure 6 — Examples of lightning protection systems for brick chimneys Cast iron cap BRodcoming — 4 Down conductor sia cae creme -- eee barn rod'st GS ome sett 10.conductor cp [NOTE See Table 1 for spacings 11 Coronal band 12 ond to cast iron ‘ap as aterative to ‘coronal ban (11) 18 smeton camp 2Rod holdtasts — C= = © RSI on20m Copyright by the British Standards Institution Wed Ju 3 1151.09 2005BS 6651:1999 STD-BSI BS GLSI-ENGL 1999 MM LL24eb9 O87594L VT mm ve HC /s| N ‘| ev 7 c \ f 7p 2 / 7 7 \ a @ A a ~~ BB te \ / \, Sound tot ( | | “ | \ | | \L oe ZL \ of _—— NLS (4) One vertical conductor \ % % | eyo conti hig pec set \ ew we J Sedmccated sont of ptecon 4 “SNL Figure 6 — Protective angles and zones of protection for various forms of air termination 22 ‘© Bst 002000 right by the British Slandards Institution Wed Jul 13 11.5140 2005