How to enhance the existing lightning protection systems with TAKO since 1979

What is Lightning Protection?

Lightning protection safely channels a lightning or thunder strike away from a building and into the ground. According to the National Weather Service, lightning causes over $1 billion in property damages every year in the United States. Installing lightning protection can help prevent these costly losses. An unprotected structure has a 1 in 4 chance of being struck by lightning over 30 years.

Why does a Property Require Lightning Protection?

• Regulations: While not mandatory for all buildings, some regulations apply to most businesses. A risk assessment is key to figuring out your obligations.
• Risk Factors: Some buildings are more likely to be struck by lightning than others. Factors like size, height, and your area’s lightning frequency are considered.
• Protecting Your Business: Lightning can damage equipment, disrupt operations, and cost money to fix. A lightning protection system helps safeguard your business from these risks.

In short, while regulations might not always require it, a lightning protection system is a smart investment for the safety and smooth operation of your business.

Lightning Strike in Malaysia

Malaysia is known for its high frequency of thunderstorms, particularly in the Klang Valley region. However, when compared to other countries globally, Malaysia does not hold the top position for thunderstorm frequency. According to recent data, here’s how Malaysia compares:

• Papua New Guinea tops the list with an average thunderstorm cloud cover of 51%.
• Indonesia, a neighboring country to Malaysia, has an average cover of 47%, placing it fifth on the list.
• Malaysia itself is not listed in the top ten countries for thunderstorm frequency as per the latest data available.

Here are some statistics on thunderstorms in Malaysia:

• Frequency: The Klang Valley in Malaysia experiences an average of 240 days of thunderstorms each year, which is significantly higher than a city like London, which averages just 10.
• Intensity: Thunderstorm warnings in Malaysia are issued when there are signs indicating thunderstorms with rain intensity exceeding 20 mm per hour.
• Impact: Between 2008 and early 2017, lightning strikes in Malaysia caused 112 deaths and 156 injuries.
• Monsoon Influence: The weather in Malaysia is influenced by two monsoon regimes. The Northeast Monsoon, from November to March, brings heavy rain, especially to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and parts of East Malaysia

Why we need to upgrade the lightning protection system?

Lightning protection systems can degrade over time or become outdated. Upgrading ensures they meet current safety standards and effectively handle the powerful jolt of a lightning strike, safeguarding your people and property.

Lightning strikes can be a real shocker (pun intended) in Malaysia’s tropical climate. While most buildings have lightning protection systems (LPS), ensuring optimal functionality is crucial. Here’s how to enhance your existing LPS for maximum safety:

Regular Check-Ups: The Key to a Healthy LPS

Just like visiting the doctor, regular inspections and maintenance are vital for your LPS. Look for qualified professionals certified under the Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Energy Commission) guidelines. Here’s what they’ll check:

• Component Health: Air terminals, conductors, grounding electrodes – a thorough inspection ensures everything is in good condition, free from corrosion, damage, or loose connections.
• Standard Compliance: They’ll verify if your LPS adheres to the latest MS IEC 62305 standard, ensuring the best protection practices are followed.

Upgrade Your Armor: Modernize Your LPS

Lightning protection technology advances, so consider these upgrades:

• Surge Protection Devices (SPDs): These act as lightning strike buffers, safeguarding sensitive electronic equipment from surges caused by the strike.
• Lightning Strike Counters: These nifty gadgets track lightning strikes on your LPS, helping predict maintenance needs and assess the system’s effectiveness.

Beyond the Basics: Bolstering Your Defenses

While a well-maintained LPS is essential, consider these additional measures for a holistic approach:

• Lightning Warning Systems: Provide early warnings of approaching storms, allowing you to take precautionary measures.
• Shielding and Isolation: Implement shielding materials for vulnerable equipment and isolation devices to prevent current flow where not intended.

How Lightning Protection Saves Us?

Imagine your house is like a big sponge during a thunderstorm. Lightning, like a giant bolt of electricity, is looking for the fastest way to get from the clouds to the ground. Lightning protection is like a special straw on your roof.

• The straw attracts the lightning: The metal rod (like a straw) on top of the house is the first thing lightning sees. It’s designed to be super attractive to lightning!
• The straw guides the electricity: Once lightning hits the rod, it travels safely down a thick wire (like the inside of the straw) to the ground.
• The straw releases the electricity: The wire connects to metal plates buried deep in the ground. These plates safely spread the electricity out underground, away from the house.

This way, the lightning doesn’t have to find its own way through your walls, roof, or wires, which could cause a fire or damage your electronics. So, lightning protection helps keep your house safe during a storm!

Walkthrough

LPS are designed to intercept lightning flashes, conduct them safely to the ground, and dissipate the current without causing harm. However, not all LPS are equally reliable or efficient. Some LPS may have flaws or weaknesses that can compromise their performance or even increase the risk of damage. For example, some LPS may have inadequate grounding, poor connections, corrosion, or insufficient coverage.

To enhance the existing LPS, there are several steps that can be taken as property owner. These practices include:

– Conducting regular inspections and maintenance of the LPS components, such as air terminals, down conductors, grounding electrodes, surge arresters, and bonding devices. This can help identify and fix any defects or deterioration that may affect the LPS functionality or safety.

– Installing additional LPS components or upgrading the existing ones to meet the current standards and best practices. This can improve the LPS capacity, efficiency, and reliability. For example, installing more air terminals or using thicker down conductors can increase the LPS capture area and reduce the resistance.

– Implementing complementary measures to reduce the exposure or vulnerability of the protected structures or equipment. This can include installing lightning warning systems, surge protection devices, shielding materials, or isolation devices. These measures can help prevent or mitigate the secondary effects of lightning strikes, such as overvoltages, electromagnetic interference, or fire hazards.

By following these steps, one can enhance the existing LPS and ensure a higher level of protection against lightning. However, it is important to note that no LPS can guarantee absolute immunity from lightning damage. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with qualified professionals and follow the relevant codes and regulations when designing, installing, or modifying an LPS.

What we need to upgrade for the lightning protection system? / How to enhance the existing lightning protection systems?

• Lightning rod check-up: We’ll make sure your lightning rods are working properly.
• Cleaning and protection: We’ll clean any rust or corrosion from the connections and add a special coating to prevent future rust.
• Part replacements: If any parts are too rusty or damaged, we’ll replace them to ensure proper function.
• Security upgrade: We can install guards to protect the lightning conductors from getting stolen or damaged.
• Metal bonding: We’ll connect any metal objects on your roof (like antennas or air conditioners) to the lightning protection system for extra safety. More conductors (optional): If needed, we can add more lightning rods or cables to better protect your building.
• Grounding system check (optional): We can test and possibly improve the grounding system where lightning hits the earth.
• Surge protection upgrade (optional): We can add surge protectors inside your house to safeguard electronics from lightning surges.

How TAKO since 1979 can help you?

TAKO since 1979 Earthing and Lightning Protection System is your one-stop-shop for all your lightning protection needs. We offer a comprehensive range of products and services to provide you with a total solution. TAKO Earthing and Lightning Protection System have over 21 years of experience in the field.

Our team of experts has vast knowledge and experience from design and installation to testing and maintenance. Trust in TAKO Earthing and Lightning Protection System for a total solution to your lightning protection needs.

In a nutshell, it’s a total solution for every bit of anxiety that disturbs your good night’s sleep during a deadly rainstorm. This is an excellent choice for you to ensure your safety and the safety of your beloved property, but don’t know where to start.

A properly designed lightning protection system (LPS) acts as a shield, intercepting lightning strikes and safely channeling them away from your structure and occupants. Investing in LPS brings peace of mind and minimizes the risk of property damage, fires, and injuries.

Dr. Albert Kow

Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog is for informational and marketing purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Our focus is on providing comprehensive LPS total solution services. This service encompasses a wide range of solutions to design, install, and maintain a complete lightning protection system tailored to your specific needs. For any questions or to discuss your specific lightning protection needs, please contact us directly.

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