The most frequently asked questions about Lightning Protection are addressed below. Should you have additional questions, we encourage you to contact our office. We’re happy to provide additional information.
No. Typically, the cost of a lightning protection system is less than 1% of the total cost of the structure. The peace of mind and proven protection is a big return on a relatively small investment.
No. Lightning is a tremendously powerful, uncontrollable force that will strike when and where conditions are right, much like a hurricane or tornado. Think of lightning protection like a storm cellar – it protects you (and your property) but cannot stop the event from occurring.
No. Such devices are an integral part of a complete lightning protection system, but used alone will not protect a structure from lightning damage.
Not at all. An experienced installation contractor can tailor a lightning protection system to aesthetically blend in with any surroundings. In many cases, it can be hidden entirely, except for the air terminals themselves.
No. Lightning rods do not have an impact on whether a building will be struck by lightning. They are designed to intercept and conduct a bolt of lightning to ground that has already zeroed in on the structure due to other conditions.
No. Due to the composition of lightning protection components, no maintenance is required unless changes are made to the structure or the system is disturbed.
No. Trees do not provide protection from lightning because of the dangerous ground charge that accompanies the stroke and travels through surrounding buildings.
No. Lightning frequently strikes in low lying areas too. Soil conditions such as moisture or high iron content can attract lightning.
No. Your television antenna is a target that does not have adequate grounding to safely conduct a lightning bolt to ground.
This is false! The Empire State Building is struck over two dozen times a year. The Sears Tower is hit by lightning and estimated 40 – 90 times a year! Your building will certainly not be struck as often, but statistics show that if lightning has struck a building once, the chances of it getting struck again are much higher than for a building that has never been struck.
