This table shows the number of conductors according to the area
The height of non-isolated rods should be less than a few metres (2 m to 3 m) in order
to avoid any increase in frequency of direct lightning flash.
For buildings above 60m
When equipotential bonding cannot be achieved, a separation distance S between the lightning
conductors and the surrounded metallic bodies as well as between extraneous conductive parts and
lines shall be allowed, distance beyond which no dangerous sparks can be produced between the
conductors carrying the lightning current and nearby metallic networks. This distance shall be increased
above the safety distance "d" which is calculated according to following formula:
ki depends on the selected protection level of LPS as it is given in table
kc depends on dimensional configuration; it is determined according to the number
of down conductors: (kc = 1 for 1 down conductor, kc = 0.66 for 2 down conductors, kc = 0.44 for 3 or
more down conductors).
km depends on separation material (in table
l is the vertical distance between the point at which proximity is measured and the point at which the
metallic networks is earthed or the nearest equipotential bonding points.
IN ORDER TO KNOW IF WE NEEED LIGHTNING SYSTEM OR NO:
FIRST STEP CALCULATE THE(acceptable lightning frequency)
NOW IN ORDER TO GET Nd(annual lightning strike frequency to the building):
In which,
Nd is the annual lightning strike frequency to the building;
Ng is the average annual ground flash density, in lightning flashes per square kilometer per year; in the
region where the building is located
Ae is the equivalent collection area of the building (m2 ).
Get Ng first:
(flashes per km2 per year)
Where Td is the number of thunderstorm days per year, characters the region where
the building is located.(constant with respect to country around 25 days in Lebanon and 55days in saudi)
now calculate Ae:
Where:
“a” is the building length (m);
“b” is the building width (m);
“h” is the building height (m).
Now we can calculate Nd
If Nd <Nc a lightning protection system is not needed;
If Nd > Nc a lightning protection system of efficiency
shall be installed
