Every third lightning strike in Austria causes damage: from defective electrical appliances to devastating house fires!
(Estimate by VVO, Austrian Insurance Association).
According to fire damage statistics, lightning is responsible for around 15% of all cases of fire damage.
In Upper Austria and Styria alone, there were a total of 500 reported lightning strikes in 2019, with an estimated loss amount of 6,000,000 euros.
How to protect against lightning strikes?
Functioning lightning and surge protection can protect systems, buildings, machinery and computer networks from such damage as far as possible, provided of course that they are properly and regularly maintained!
What does the legislator say?
For companies
In the agricultural sector, industrial plants, etc., the installation of a lightning protection system is mandatory. A corresponding initial acceptance test must be carried out during installation and, in addition, a professional and regular inspection is mandatory.
For private individuals
There is no requirement to install a lightning protection system in privately used buildings. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend installing such a system in order to adequately protect the building and technical equipment from lightning strikes.
Why should lightning protection systems be maintained?
External influences such as corrosion, mechanical damage, etc., can have a major impact on the effectiveness of lightning protection systems, so that their usefulness is limited.
Out of sight, out of mind
Whether at home or at work, lightning protection systems are usually beyond the daily reach of homeowners. As a result, maintenance is unfortunately often forgotten and/or not prioritized. MyBuilding24 provides regular and timely reminders of upcoming maintenance dates!
How does the maintenance/inspection of a lightning protection system work?
The inspection must be carried out in accordance with the legal requirements at the time of installation. An inspection must be carried out by a trained lightning protection specialist who is familiar with the latest state of the art.
ÖVE Guideline R1000-2 regulates the requirements for the planning and documentation of lightning protection systems under point 7.
Point 8 deals with the testing of lightning protection systems.
Appropriate and clean documentation is part of the system logbook and a basic requirement for periodic inspections.
The test intervals must be observed in accordance with ÖVE E 49:
| Where does maintenance need to be carried out? | How often? |
|---|---|
| Lightning protection system in potentially explosive and flammable areas in which explosives are manufactured, processed or stored | 1 time per year |
| Lightning protection systems for buildings for large gatherings of people (e.g. theaters, churches, airports, sports facilities, high-rise buildings, schools, cable cars). Lightning protection systems in industry and commerce, lightning protection systems for cultural assets and buildings with electronic equipment (palaces, castles, museums, archives, libraries, radio relay buildings, etc.) | At least every 3 years |
| Lightning protection systems on free-standing chimneys, observation towers, agricultural buildings, residential buildings with more than 3 residential units (e.g. terraced houses) | At least every 5 years |
| Lightning protection systems with residential buildings with up to three residential units. | At least every 10 years |
What must be taken into account for professional maintenance?
- Checking all documents and documentation, including compliance with standards
- General condition of interception and discharge devices, all connecting components (no loose connections).
- Contact resistance test
- Testing the earthing systems and the earthing resistances incl. transitions and connections.
- Testing the internal lightning protection incl. Surge arresters and fuses.
- Testing the safety of the fastenings of the LPS (Lightning Protection System) cables and their components.
- Inspection Documentation of all changes or extensions to the LPS and changes to the structural system
- Check whether the lightning protection system complies with the standards specified in the test report or whether there are any deviations from the standards.
- Check connection/integration of all roof superstructures, chimneys, dormers, sheeting, vents, skylights, antennas, snow rakes
- Testing Weakening due to corrosion, especially at transition points to earth
- Testing earthing connections
- Testing of standard-compliant installation of interception and discharge lines
- Testing through measurements: Continuity measurements of all connections and connections of air-termination and down-conductor devices under working resistance of the earthing system.
- Check whether standard-compliant material has been used
- Visual inspection of the termination on the main equipotential bonding bar.
- Preparation of as-built documents (plan and report) including any necessary repair quotations.
Internal lightning protection
- SPT (surge protection) – correct type, standard-compliant installation.
- Check all connections for potential equalization, cross-section or continuity measurement.
- Check the calculated separation distances.
How do I get through the next thunderstorm safely?
To ensure a functioning lightning protection system in the long term, regular inspections and the associated documentation are essential. The MyBuilding24 app helps to keep track of documentation and reminders for regular maintenance!
Glossary
Extract from the applicable standards:
- ÖVE-E49/1988 for systems installed up to 13.06.2002 (transition period until July 2007)
- ÖVE/Ö-NORM E 8049-1 with lightning protection class 1-3, from 13.06.2002 to 2010 (transition period until July 2015)
- ÖVE/Ö-NORM EN 62305-3 with lightning protection class 1 to 3 for installations from 12.07.2010
- ETG 1992, Federal Law Gazette 106/1993
- ETV 1996 BGBl. 105/1996
- ETV 2002, BGBl. 222/2002
- ETV 2010 from 12.07.2010
- ÖVE E 49/1988
- ÖVE STANDARD 8049-1
- ÖVE STANDARD EN 62305-3
- ÖVE ÖNROM E8014
- ÖVE STANDARD EN50164
- ÖVE STANDARD E8050
- ÖVE STANDARD E50522
