Metal Roof Lightning Protection

Lightning is the direct cause of over 50 deaths and 400 injuries each year and it is difficult to protect individuals in exposed outdoor areas.

Metal roof lightning protection.

The only way to protect a building is with a properly designed and installed lightning protection system lps. Nor do metal roofs protect a building against lightning. A metal roof does not attract lightning. Lightning is a powerful destructive force of nature and will strike a building regardless of its type of roofing.

Should your metal roof be struck by lightning the electricity will be spread out across a larger area which diminishes the immediate impact. Metal roofs do not attract lightning strikes. Lps components are typically cop per or aluminum. The lightning protection industry began in the united states when benjamin franklin postulated that lightning was electricity and a metal rod could be used to carry the lightning away from a building.

The misconception that metal roofs attract lightning is probably because metal itself is known as a good conductor of electricity and people therefore assume that a metal roof must attract lightning. A metal building system with a conductive metal roof and a conductive metal structural frame gives lightning a low resistance path to the earth. This is just one more reason why we at schroer sons believe a lifetime metal roof is the best roof available today. Metal roofs are resistant to wind and hail weigh less than asphalt shingles require little maintenance and are energy efficient.

It is less likely to result in a fire than other types of roofing materials. While a building s structural steel will conduct lightning it is the bonding interconnection and grounding provided by a lightning protection system lps that will dissipate lightning s harmful electricity safely to the ground. Because metal roofs are by definition made out of metal you might be concerned about lightning and wonder whether you need to attach a lightning rod to your metal roof. To prevent galvanic action with roofing and flashings copper components should be used with copper roofing and aluminum components with steel or aluminum roofing.

Metal roofs are no more attractive to lightning than any other type of roofing material. Metal roofs are no more attractive to lightning than any other type of roofing material. If your home is struck by lightning a metal roof will diffuse electricity away and cannot catch fire keeping your home safer in a thunderstorm. All lps components should be listed by ul specifically for lightning protection.

Then the metal s fire resistant properties will protect your building even further. Metal roof or no these building strategies decrease your chances of a strike.