In a world where technology plays an integral role in the daily operations of our facilities, the need for reliable, resilient, and safe electrical systems is paramount. Lightning strikes pose a significant threat to the infrastructure, electrical equipment, and human life within all types of facilities including:
- Data centres
- Pharmaceuticals
- Hospitals / Primary Care Sites
- Schools /Colleges / Universities
- Government Buildings
- County Councils Offices
- Heritage sites
To ensure the safety of personnel against loss of life and protect valuable assets, it is crucial for your facilities to have their lightning protection, earthing systems and surge protection devices tested and maintained regularly so that these systems comply with the current safety standards.
Regular maintenance checks by certified specialist technical engineers allow any potential problems to be identified early before they become an issue, that could cause potential harm, loss of human life, or damage to the facility like a data centre, where critical information is stored.
This article by our testing and maintenance engineers explores the reasons behind this practice and outlines the key aspects that LPI Group carry out as part of an inspection.
1. Ensuring Safety
The main reason for the annual testing and maintenance of lightning protection systems, earthing systems, and surge protection devices is to ensure the safety of personnel and occupants within a facility.
Lightning strikes can cause devastating consequences, such as electrical shock hazards, fires, and at worst, loss of life. By conducting regular inspections, potential hazards and deficiencies can be identified and rectified in a timely manner, mitigating the risk of accidents.
2. Protecting Infrastructure and Equipment
Damage, degradation, or disruption of electrical and electronic systems within a structure is a distinct possibility in the event of a lightning strike.
Lightning strikes can induce power surges that can damage or destroy sensitive devices, leading to costly downtime and repairs.
Environmental conditions can also affect your systems such as corrosion.
Annual testing and maintenance of surge protection devices help ensure their proper functioning, providing an added layer of defence against power surges caused by lightning strikes or other electrical disturbances.
An Early Streamer Air Terminal at roof-level to protect the client’s assets.
3. Compliance with Standards and Codes
Many industries and regions have specific regulations and codes in place that mandate regular inspections of lightning protection systems, earthing systems, and surge protection devices. Adhering to regulations and standards is recommended as most insurance companies require certification.
LPI Group’s testing and maintenance engineers carry out inspections in line with EN 62305, UNE 1186, and NFC 17 102 Standards.
Once a test and maintenance check has been completed by the LPI engineers, a detailed report is generated that outlines evidence of compliance with relevant standards. This is then issued to clients, which can be crucial during audits or inspections by regulatory bodies.
4. Identifying Deficiencies and Expanding Lifespan
Regular inspections allow LPI engineers to identify deficiencies, weaknesses, or damage in lightning protection systems, earthing systems, and surge protection devices. These deficiencies may include corroded conductors, loose & corroded connections, damaged grounding electrodes, outdated surge protection devices, or degradation due to environmental factors.
Annual inspections will increase the lifespan of lightning, earthing, and surge protection systems to protect against premature replacements.
An LPI Engineer carries out testing at roof level.
When Does My Facility Require an Inspection?
There are certain factors that can determine when your facility will require a test and inspection of the lightning, earthing, and surge protection system.
- Geographical Location
If a data centre or other facility is in an area with high lightning activity, more frequent inspections may be required to protect the critical data housed inside.
- Age of Equipment and Infrastructure
Older equipment and infrastructure may be more susceptible to lightning-related damage, requiring more frequent inspections.
- Compliance Regulations
Industry compliance regulations may require regular inspections and testing of lightning protection and earthing systems.
- Type and Level of Lightning Protection and Earthing System
The type and level of protection systems installed in the data centre may also determine how often inspections should be conducted.
Are you unsure if your lightning protection system is due for an inspection?
Speak to our technical test and inspection engineers today to ensure your people and facility are protected.
Key Aspects of an Inspection
During an annual inspection of lightning protection systems, earthing systems, and surge protection devices, several key aspects are examined by LPI Group.
1. Site Assessment
LPI Group may perform a site assessment to identify any vulnerable areas of the facility and determine the lightning activity in the area.
2. Risk Assessment
LPI may perform a risk assessment to help identify potential lightning strikes and their impact on the facility. LPI’s specialist technical design and engineering teams will then develop measures to control or eliminate the risks identified.
3. Visual Inspection
For levels of protection, I and II, should be completed annually, while III to IV should be every 2 years.
Lightning protection systems utilised in applications involving structures with a risk of explosion should be visually inspected every 6 months.
This involves examining the overall condition of lightning protection components, earthing electrodes, bonding conductors, and surge protection devices for signs of damage, corrosion, or wear.
4. Continuity and Resistance Testing
Conducting tests to ensure the integrity of grounding connections, bonding conductors, and lightning protection system components.
This includes measuring the resistance of grounding electrodes and verifying the continuity of conductors.
5. Surge Protection Device Testing
Surge protection devices are visually inspected by LPI engineers.
Visual Inspection of a Client’s Surge Protective Device (SPD)
6. Documentation and Reporting
Prepare documentation of inspection findings, including any deficiencies or recommendations for repairs or upgrades. This documentation helps create a historical record and serves as a reference for future inspections.
Regular maintenance schedules and on-site surveys can contribute to effective lightning protection and earthing in data centre facilities. This is done by ensuring these systems are functioning effectively and are up to date with the latest safety standards.
7. Conduct Periodic Inspections and Maintenance
LPI Group may conduct periodic inspections and maintenance on your facility to ensure that the lightning protection and earthing systems are functioning correctly. Inspections also ensure systems meet the current industry standards and regulations.
By conducting regular inspections and maintenance, potential problems can be identified early before they become big issues that could potentially cause harm or damage.
Key Takeaways
- Regular testing and maintenance of lightning protection systems, earthing systems, and surge protection devices are essential for ensuring safety, protecting infrastructure, and complying with regulations. Annual inspections help identify deficiencies, weaknesses, or damages that can occur over time.
- Lightning strikes pose a significant threat to both the infrastructure and the electrical equipment within all types of facilities.
- Lightning strikes can cause devastating consequences, such as electrical shock hazards, fires, and at worst, loss of life.
- Facilities house an array of critical electrical and electronic equipment vital for daily operations. Lightning strikes can induce power surges that can damage or destroy sensitive devices, leading to costly downtime and repairs.
- Adhering to regulations and standards is recommended as most insurance companies require certification. LPI Group’s testing and maintenance engineers carry out inspections in line with EN 62305, UNE 1186, and NFC 17 102 Standards.
- Once a test and maintenance check has been completed by the LPI engineers, documents outlining evidence of compliance with relevant standards are issued to clients.
- The key aspects of an inspection that LPI engineers carry out include:
- Site Assessment
- Risk Assessment
- Visual inspection
- Continuity and resistance testing
- Surge Protection Device testing
- Documentation and reporting
- Conduct Periodic inspections and maintenance.
- Regular maintenance schedules and on-site surveys can contribute to effective lightning protection and earthing in data centre facilities. This is done by ensuring these systems are functioning effectively and are up to date with the latest safety standards.
- By conducting regular inspections and maintenance, potential problems can be identified early before they become big issues that could potentially cause harm or damage.
BOOK YOUR TEST AND MAINTENANCE INSPECTION TODAY
Speak to our technical test and inspection engineers today to arrange a fully certified inspection of your facility’s lightning protection system, earthing system, or surge protection device.
Shane Rohan, Commercial Director 
Eoin Dineen, Operations Director
Theodora Dimova FFCA – Finance Director
Paudi Reidy is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Cofounder of LPI Group. As CEO, he leads the executive management team and is heavily involved in the overall success of the group across Europe. He directs the development and execution of short and long-term strategies, with the goal of increasing shareholder value. This year he has led the transformation of Lightning Protection Ireland and Lightning Protection International into the LPI Group, as the business continues to expand across the European market.
John Kinsella is the Managing Director and Cofounder of LPI Group. As Managing Director, he directs and controls the resources and operations of the business. John is responsible for the implementation of policies and procedures, to ensure LPI operates in compliance with ISO 9001 Quality Management Standards.