Lightning Protection for Glass Roof
- Thread starter Deebee101
- Start date
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
By calling in an expert.
Eddie702
Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
Imagine that thing shattering!!
winnie
Senior Member
- Location
- Springfield, MA, USA
- Occupation
- Electric motor research
1) I'm with @LarryFine , call and expert.
2) That is not a glass roof. It is a mostly glass roof. There appears to be plenty of structure for mounting air terminals and down conductors. You would probably need the LPS expert to sit in the room with the designers and manufacturers of the roof structure system.
2) That is not a glass roof. It is a mostly glass roof. There appears to be plenty of structure for mounting air terminals and down conductors. You would probably need the LPS expert to sit in the room with the designers and manufacturers of the roof structure system.
I was hoping there would be an expert here to share their opinions
I was hoping there was someone here with some expertise. This is just a preliminary design
Joe.B
Senior Member
- Location
- Myrtletown Ca
- Occupation
- Building Inspector
Lightning Protection Overview - Lightning Protection Institute
General Industry Information The Lightning Protection Institute is a nationwide not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to promote lightning protection education, awareness, and safety. The lightning protection industry began in the United States when Benjamin Franklin postulated that...
lightning.org
Lightning Protection Parameters for High-rise buildings : LPI Group
Learn about the parameters of lightning protection for high-rise buildings and keeping occupants protected against lightning strikes.
lpigroup.com
What are the different types of lightning protection systems? - France Paratonnerres
There are different lightning conductor technologies. Learn about the differences so you can choose the one best suited to your project.
france-paratonnerres.com
Lightning protection of high-rise buildings
A series of advanced-level articles for designers and engineers. Lightning protection of high-rise buildings
zandz.com
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I'm a pretty good electrician, and I wouldn't try to design a system for my own house.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
We get very few questions on lightning protection and Larry’s answer is right on. Find someone who is UL certified in lightning protection.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
(Edit) There are are few members here who are knowledgeable on LPS. The subject rarely comes up.
Last edited:
ron
Senior Member
- Location
- New York, 40.7514,-73.9925
These are my 2 go-to design guidelines from NFPA 780 that I use to design, but neither address the glass bubble situation.
winnie
Senior Member
- Location
- Springfield, MA, USA
- Occupation
- Electric motor research
Ok, if this is just a preliminary design, then I think we actually do have enough expertise here to make suggestions that you take to the actual LPS professional.
For the open roof, you would need to place air terminals around the perimeter of the opening, possibly around the perimeter of the overhanging ledges, and possibly on some of the light posts in the center of the opening.
For the closed roof areas, you would need to place air terminals around the perimeter of the roof structure and possibly a few in the field of the roof structure.
The figures that @ron posted give you an idea of the spacing requirements.
You will want to research the NFPA 780 'rolling sphere' method for determining the 'zone of protection' around an air terminal. This is a method for figuring out where on a structure LPS air terminals are needed.
The above will only give you a rough idea of _where_ LPS air terminals will need to go. This might be enough of a back of the envelope to make you decide that the design is not practical or to have an idea of what you are getting in to. If you decide to go forward with the design, then I fall back to 'call an expert'.
You are going to want an LPS engineer to work with the glass structure engineer to come up with a way to mount air terminals and down conductors so that they don't look out of place on or like a last minute addition the elegant glasswork.
For the open roof, you would need to place air terminals around the perimeter of the opening, possibly around the perimeter of the overhanging ledges, and possibly on some of the light posts in the center of the opening.
For the closed roof areas, you would need to place air terminals around the perimeter of the roof structure and possibly a few in the field of the roof structure.
The figures that @ron posted give you an idea of the spacing requirements.
You will want to research the NFPA 780 'rolling sphere' method for determining the 'zone of protection' around an air terminal. This is a method for figuring out where on a structure LPS air terminals are needed.
The above will only give you a rough idea of _where_ LPS air terminals will need to go. This might be enough of a back of the envelope to make you decide that the design is not practical or to have an idea of what you are getting in to. If you decide to go forward with the design, then I fall back to 'call an expert'.
You are going to want an LPS engineer to work with the glass structure engineer to come up with a way to mount air terminals and down conductors so that they don't look out of place on or like a last minute addition the elegant glasswork.
Ponce
Member
- Location
- New Orleans, La, USA
I assume you are providing a drawing package. For the system to be certified, it has to be designed and installed by a certified lightning protection contractor. In the past, I provided a roof plan and elevation of the building in the design package and attached the following note:
1. LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR THIS BUILDING SHALL BE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED U.L. LISTED CONTRACTOR.
2. THE INSTALLATION SHALL PROVIDE A FUNCTIONAL SYSTEM TO MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION BY THE LIGHTNING PROTECTION INSTITUTE AND U.L. MASTER LABEL PROGRAM.
The Lightning Protection Contractor will provide the shop drawings.
1. LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR THIS BUILDING SHALL BE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED U.L. LISTED CONTRACTOR.
2. THE INSTALLATION SHALL PROVIDE A FUNCTIONAL SYSTEM TO MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION BY THE LIGHTNING PROTECTION INSTITUTE AND U.L. MASTER LABEL PROGRAM.
The Lightning Protection Contractor will provide the shop drawings.
Joe.B
Senior Member
- Location
- Myrtletown Ca
- Occupation
- Building Inspector
Anyone want to wager on the OP returning?
Is there any other forum I can find experts on LPS?
I am not in the US. I am in a third world country with less regulation. I have to provide a meaningful first drawing. Later work will be done by a Lightning Professional.
I got caught up in a lot of stuff
I understand the concept. I am struggling with the actual positioning of the lightning rods because the glass shade is in the way. The design of the building also makes it difficult to run the down conductor.Lightning Protection Overview - Lightning Protection Institute
General Industry Information The Lightning Protection Institute is a nationwide not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to promote lightning protection education, awareness, and safety. The lightning protection industry began in the United States when Benjamin Franklin postulated that...Lightning Protection Parameters for High-rise buildings : LPI Group
Learn about the parameters of lightning protection for high-rise buildings and keeping occupants protected against lightning strikes.What are the different types of lightning protection systems? - France Paratonnerres
There are different lightning conductor technologies. Learn about the differences so you can choose the one best suited to your project.Lightning protection of high-rise buildings
A series of advanced-level articles for designers and engineers. Lightning protection of high-rise buildings
It is just a preliminary design in a 3rd world country. Just need ideas on where to place the lightning rods and where to run the down conductor. The eventual design will be looked at by an expert, even if it means bringing them in from the US or UK or Germany.