b'Steep SlopeAD HEREWEATHERINGTHE STORMLightning Protection for L ightning is a powerful, destructive force of nature and will strike a Buildings with Metal Roofsbuilding regardless of its type of roofing. Metal roofs do not attract lightning strikes; nor do metal roofs protect a building against light-ning. The only way to protect a building is with a properly designed by jennifer a. morgan and michael chusid and installed lightning protection system (LPS). published first in the Winter 2018 Building Enclosure Still, the type of roofing is one of several risk factors affecting the threat lightning poses to a structure, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 780Installation of Lightning Protection. The recognized North American standard includes a Simplified Risk Assessment procedure ABOVE:Guests staying at this resort hotel sleepto help designers determine if an LPS is recommended for a building. It soundly knowing that the metal roof and lightning protectionrecognizes that, when a lightning strike does occurs, a building has less risk of systems keep them safe from destructive natural forces.being devastated by fire if it has a non-combustible metal roof.Photo courtesy of Mr. Lightning. Theriskassessmentcalculationscannowbeperformedusingafree, onlineapp(bit.ly/NFPA-780calculator)thatenablesdesignerstoquicklyand easily make better-informed decisions and demonstrate that they have met Check out the expanded digital edition thestandardofcareexpectedofbuildingindustryprofessionals.Alsosee www.BuildingEnclosureOnline.com bit.ly/StandardOfCare.28 www.mrca.orgMidwest RooferBE_Winter18_MetalRoofingFeature.indd 26 1/17/18 11:46 AM'