Metal Roof Lightning Protection

A metal building system with a conductive metal roof and a conductive metal structural frame gives lightning a low resistance path to the earth.

Metal roof lightning protection.

Metal roofs do not attract lightning strikes. Video of the day volume 0. 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. A metal roof does not attract lightning.

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. Then the metal s fire resistant properties will protect your building even further. 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.

Lps components are typically cop per or aluminum. Metal roofing materials are non combustible so if a metal roof does get struck by lightning. 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 roofs are no more attractive to lightning than any other type of roofing material.

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. 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. Should your metal roof be struck by lightning the electricity will be spread out across a larger area which diminishes the immediate impact. All lps components should be listed by ul specifically for lightning protection.

Lightning is a powerful destructive force of nature and will strike a building regardless of its type of roofing. 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 no more attractive to lightning than any other type of roofing material. Nor do metal roofs protect a building against lightning.

The only way to protect a building is with a properly designed and installed lightning protection system lps. Metal roof or no these building strategies decrease your chances of a strike.