Is an architect required to consider lightning safety when designing a structure?
Whether or not something is required in building standards depends on the requirements of the local authority having jurisdiction. In many cases this is an entity like city or county government and it is totally dependent on what Codes or Standards that body has adopted. There is no “national” law requiring lightning protection. There are some state laws regarding particular types of occupancies – for example, Florida requires lightning protection on health care facilities. The National Fire Protection Assoc. NFPA publishes a Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems #780 which can be adopted by any jurisdiction just like any other Code or Standard of practice. The National Electrical Code (NEC or NFPA #70) & Life Safety Code (NFPA # 100) are a couple of the better known documents published by NFPA along with literally hundreds of other documents in the fire safety field. None of these is required unless some authority has adopted them specifically into local law. N
Related Questions
- In adding on to a structure with a pre-existing lightning protection system, is there an added risk to the new addition?
- How do I find out what safety matters should be taken into account when designing a building or structure?
- What are the dangers of being on the steel frames when lightning strikes the structure?
