Lightning protection - steel as down conductor

[Gategator37]

When installing lightning protection, can the structural steel be considered a down conductor network?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

It is often used as the down conductor for lighting protection systems. You should take a look at NFPA 780 for the rules.

 

[dereckbc]

You most certainly can use the steel columns as down conductors as they have much lower impedance and current capacity than any conductor you can install. As Don stated get your hands on a copy of NFPA 780 for details.