Lightning Protection

A building's height alone does not establish its protection requirement. The assessment considers the structure, use, surroundings and potential consequences of lightning. The purpose is to define suitable measures for the property rather than apply an identical installation to every site.

The scope can include risk assessment, review of existing drawings, specialist inspection and testing, system design, installation and identified repairs. Records establish the system layout, test points and work completed, with inaccessible areas and outstanding findings retained in the report.

Practical work can involve the roof-level interception arrangement, conductors, earth termination and bonding interfaces. Coordination with roofing, structural elements and electrical systems is important. A repair to one visible component should be linked to the wider system and its technical requirements.

An external lightning-protection system and surge protection perform related but different functions. The external arrangement addresses the effects of a direct strike on the structure. Protection of electrical and electronic systems also involves measures against transient overvoltages, including suitable surge-protection coordination where required.

Neither should be described as a universal guarantee against all lightning damage. The design establishes the measures and their interfaces, including bonding and separation considerations. Replacing a surge device does not repair a damaged roof conductor, and an external system does not by itself establish protection for every connected piece of equipment.

Provide existing risk assessments, design drawings, inspection reports and details of roof or building alterations. Identify rooftop plant, communications equipment and other additions that may have changed since the system was installed. Include relevant electrical and incoming-service information where available.

Access planning should cover roofs, façades, test points and external ground areas. Confirm fragile surfaces, restricted compounds and operational limitations. Specialist inspection requirements and safe access are agreed before attendance; customers should not climb to inspect roof-level components themselves.

We define the assessment or remedial requirement and arrange the specialist scope. Existing evidence is checked against the building and accessible system. Findings are translated into a clear action list, with any need for further design or investigation explained before installation work is instructed.

Work is coordinated with roof coverings, fixings and affected services. At completion, the agreed inspection, testing and documentation establish the completed scope. Drawings and component references are updated so the next inspection can follow the actual installation rather than an outdated layout.

Building size and form, protection requirements, access methods, system condition and the extent of testing affect cost. Roof changes, difficult ground access and incomplete records can add investigation or design work. The proposal distinguishes assessment, installation and remedial activity so each has a clear basis.

Programme planning also considers other roof works and occupied areas below. New fixings and routes need the appropriate coordination to avoid damage to building fabric or confusion with other systems. The handover identifies completed work, test evidence and any actions still awaiting access or a decision.

Industrial premises need process and asset consequences understood. Education may involve several connected buildings and changing rooftop installations. Warehousing and logistics needs roof access planned around a working site.

For data centres and critical environments, protection of the structure and the electrical systems must be considered through their respective design requirements. The full service and project offering supports all sectors, with the assessment reflecting the actual property.

We arrange work across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley, including Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnwick, Morpeth, Hexham, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough.

Multi-building estates can use a common evidence format while retaining each structure's assessment and system details. Wider specialist and multi-site requirements are reviewed around the locations and scope. View all locations.

Read what remedial-action tracking involves and what an asset-based maintenance schedule needs. Technical design and inspection requirements are established through the relevant specialist assessment; the HSE electrical safety guidance provides related safety context.