b'Steep SlopeLightning is a Grave Danger Find us at.Metal buildings are resilient by design, according to Metal Building Manufacturers Association(MBMA).Theorganizationswebsitecitesmetalssustainability, durability and resistance to earthquakes, severe winds and a host of dangerous natural phenomena. Perhaps we can forgive them for not mentioning lightning as one of those hazards; individual lightning strikes dont get the headlines produced by large regional disasters.mrca .orgfacebook.com/mymrcaAD HEREWEATHERING Metal roofing becomes the work platform for installing air terminals and exposed conductors. The LPI has rigoroustwitter.com/MidwestRooferprograms to train and certify lightning protection specialists. Photovoltaic systems and other rooftop equipmentmust be included in lightning protection system. Photo courtesy of Smokestack Lightning Inc.THE STORM Yet in a typical year: Lightning strikes the U.S. approximately 25 million times a year and killsor injures more people than does any other natural disaster, includinghurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzards, floods and volcanic eruptions.Lightning Protection for L ightning is a powerful, destructive force of nature and will strike ato Lightning losses reach nearly a billion dollars according to the Insurance Infor- tolinkedin.com/company/midwest-building regardless of its type of roofing. Metal roofs do not attractmation Institute. roofing-contractors-associationBuildings with Metal RoofsAnd the situation is getting worse. Lightning events are predicted to increase due lightning strikes; nor do metal roofs protect a building against light- changing weather patterns. The cost of lightning damage is also growing due, by jennifer a. morgan and michael chusid ning. The only way to protect a building is with a properly designedin part, to the proliferation of sensitive electronic devices that are vulnerable published first in the Winterand installed lightning protection system (LPS).lightning surges. 2018 Building Enclosure Still, the type of roofing is one of several risk factors affecting the threatLightning protection is not mandated under the national building codes, but is lightning poses to a structure, according to the National Fire Protectionrequired in some local codes, by certain government agencies and by an increasing Association (NFPA) 780Installation of Lightning Protection. The recognizednumber of sophisticated building owners. In other cases, the NFPA risk assessment North American standard includes a Simplified Risk Assessment procedureshould be conducted by building designers or lightning protection specialists and the ABOVE:Guests staying at this resort hotel sleepto help designers determine if an LPS is recommended for a building. Itresults discussed with building owners.soundly knowing that the metal roof and lightning protectionrecognizes that, when a lightning strike does occurs, a building has less risk ofIf the decision is made to use lightning protection, specify that the project com-systems keep them safe from destructive natural forces.being devastated by fire if it has a non-combustible metal roof. plies with NFPA 780, UL 96AInstallation Requirements for Lightning Protectionfacebook.com/Young-Contractors-Photo courtesy of Mr. Lightning. Theriskassessmentcalculationscannowbeperformedusingafree,Systems and Lightning Protection Institute (LPI)-175Standard of Practice for theCouncil-219124635109694/onlineapp(bit.ly/NFPA-780calculator)thatenablesdesignerstoquicklyandDesign - Installation - Inspection of Lightning Protection Systems. The specific layout oftimelineeasily make better-informed decisions and demonstrate that they have metthe LPS can usually be delegated to an LPS installation specialty contractor employ-Check out the expanded digital edition thestandardofcareexpectedofbuildingindustryprofessionals.AlsoseeingaMasterInstaller/DesignerorMasterInstallercertifiedbytheLPI,seewww. www.BuildingEnclosureOnline.com bit.ly/StandardOfCare. lightning.org. The designer will work with the project team to coordinate locations www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 29BE_Winter18_MetalRoofingFeature.indd 27 1/19/18 11:35 AMBE_Winter18_MetalRoofingFeature.indd 26 1/17/18 11:46 AM'