Lightning Rod On Metal Roof

Metal roofs do not attract lightning strikes.

Lightning rod on metal roof.

While a building s structural steel will conduct lightning it is the bonding interconnection and grounding provided by a lighting protection system lps that will dissipate. Extensive research on lightning protection reveals that metal roofing is no more likely to attract a lightning strike than any other type of conventional roofing material. Lightning is a powerful destructive force of nature and will strike a building regardless of its type of roofing. Still the type of roofing is one of several risk factors.

In reality when lightning strikes it is seeking a path to ground and almost always will strike whatever object is highest in the area that. Easy fit saddle base will form to fit any pitch roof. According to the metal roofing alliance if your home were hit by lightning your metal roof would disperse the energy safely through the structure. Lightning strikes on metal roofs are an understandable concern for homeowners considering an upgrade to a metal roof.

If lightning hits the structure it will preferentially strike the rod and be conducted to ground through a wire instead of passing through the structure where it could start a fire or cause electrocution. Since metal roofing isn t combustible or flammable it s a low risk and desirable. A metal roof is the safest roof in the event of a lightning strike. It is faulty logic to assume that a metal roof attracts lightning strikes similarly to a lightning rod because lightning rods are not made to attract lightning.

The only way to protect a building is with a properly designed and installed lightning protection system lps. Roof rod and mounting saddle available as follows. Used most and is the standard method for regular lightning rod systems. 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.

Nor do metal roofs protect a building against lightning. When lightning is ready to discharge it will whether there is a metal roof handy or not. Metal roofing materials are non combustible so if a metal roof does get struck by lightning. There are a few reasons for this.

It is less likely to result in a fire than other types of roofing materials. A lightning rod us aus or lightning conductor is a metal rod mounted on a structure and intended to protect the structure from a lightning strike.