The Shocking Truth About Metal Buildings in Thunderstorms
Contrary to urban myth, steel buildings resist lightning, not attract it. The height of a structure, not the framing material, determines the probability of a direct lightning strike. The taller the building, the greater the risk that lightning might hit it.
Conductible Steel Buildings Resist Lightning Damage
Lightning is nothing more than super-charged electricity. A single lightning bolt generates up to 100 million electrical volts!
All building materials either conduct or resist current. The less the resistance to electricity, the less likely structural damage will occur. Steel conducts current far better than wood. Properly grounded, a metal building permits lightning current to pass harmlessly through the framing and into the ground.
Wood, on the other hand, offers so much resistance that current often flashes outward, striking objects or people nearby. Why do you think they tell you never stand under a tree in an electrical storm?
Consequently, a pre-engineered building with good lightning protection design is actually less likely to suffer lightning inflicted damage than a lumber-framed structure.
Structural Fires Sparked by Lightning
Lightning costs stagger the mind:
- The National Lightning Safety Institute puts annual lightning losses in the U.S. at $8 to $10 billion.
- Each year U.S. firefighters battle 22,600 structure fires caused by lightning.
- Lightning is the culprit in 30% of church fires, 19% of residential fires, 18% of lumberyard blazes, 14% of outdoor burns, and 7% of non-residential structural fires.
Combustible wood framing is far more likely to ignite into flames when lightning strikes than non-combustible steel framing. Compounding the problem, wood framing feeds a fire. Steel framing does not burn nor fuel a blaze.
Rigid-iron steel framing does not begin to lose its strength until a fire reaches 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Light-gauge steel loses its structural integrity in a fire much faster, and may suddenly collapse without warning.
Consequently, most insurance carriers award sizeable discounts to commercial-grade steel buildings with good lightning protection designs.
Premiere Building Systems from RHINO
Steel buildings resist lightning damage and subsequent fires better than any other building system. However, thwarting damage from Nature’s savage fury is just one of the many advantages of RHINO Steel Building Systems. Our premium grade metal buildings are not only non-combustible, but also more resistant to damage by snow, wind, earthquakes, mold, and termites.
Learn more today about our lightning protective designs. Call the RHINO Steel Hotline now at 940.383.9566. Discover the wonders of RHINO versatile, affordable, long-lasting metal buildings.
FAQs
Steel conducts current far better than wood. Properly grounded, a metal building permits lightning current to pass harmlessly through the framing and into the ground. Wood, on the other hand, offers so much resistance that current often flashes outward, striking objects or people nearby.
How to protect a metal building from lightning? ›
A grounding system connected to the earth will help to absorb the impact and equalize your buildings electrical systems, in the event of a hazardous lightning strike. Did you know? That steel roofs are in fact, less dangerous when struck by lightning, even without a grounded lightning rod.
What happens if lightning strikes a steel building? ›
When lightning strikes a properly grounded steel building, the electricity passes directly through the steel frame and into the ground. The structural components of steel buildings are fire-resistant, which means the structure can withstand a lightning strike without catching on fire or being damaged.
Do steel framed buildings need lightning protection? ›
Myth: Lightning protection systems are only needed for wood or masonry structures, not modern day metal construction buildings. Fact: Metal roofing is often thought of as a low risk option that can prevent lightning fires. In reality, lightning does hit and damage unprotected metal construction buildings.
Why are metal structures not safe during a lightning storm? ›
Myth: Structures with metal, or metal on the body (jewelry, cell phones,Mp3 players, watches, etc), attract lightning. Fact: Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike. The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes.
Is a metal barn safe in lightning? ›
Properly grounded, a metal building permits lightning current to pass harmlessly through the framing and into the ground. Wood, on the other hand, offers so much resistance that current often flashes outward, striking objects or people nearby.
Can galvanized steel get struck by lightning? ›
In most buildings, lightning's energy is conveyed from air terminals to the ground through large, multi-strand cables made from highly conductive grades of aluminum or copper; copper should not be used in contact with galvanized steel, aluminum, or most other non-cupreous metal roofing or siding.
What is lightning protection on steel structures? ›
A complete lightning protection system is required that connects the air terminals and conductor leads either to a recognized, adequate grounding source or to the structural steel which is then grounded at grade level to a recognized, adequate grounding source.
Should you ground a metal building? ›
All metal building components must be electrically bonded together, and each building must be independently grounded.
Do houses with metal roofs get struck by lightning? ›
Extensive research has proven that metal roofing is no more likely to attract a lightning strike than any other type of roofing material. In fact, as a non-combustible material with the highest Class A fire-resistance rating, metal roofing is one of the best materials for homes in lightning-prone regions.
You can't prevent lightning or deter a strike, so the best way to protect your building is to direct the flow of electricity from the highest point of your building down to the ground, by means of a lightning rod and a lightning protection system (LPS).
Can an electrician install lightning protection? ›
Most electricians, contractors, and roofers are not qualified to install lightning protection.
Do you need lightning rods on a metal roof? ›
“Should I install lightning rods on my metal roof?” In most situations, it is not necessary to install lightning rods on your metal roof. Lightning strikes to homes are rare. If your roof is the highest point of a surrounding area, you may consider having a lightning safety system installed on your home.
What happens if lightning strikes a metal building? ›
ANALYSIS Although metal conducts electricity, lightning is not drawn to it. If it does become charged by a strike, the energy is grounded out safely through the structure.
Can lightning strike through a window? ›
Yes, lightning can strike the inside of your home if you leave a window open. While it's not likely lightning will strike you through an open window, your odds of being struck are higher with open windows than closed windows.
Why is it safe to sit inside a car during lightning? ›
Like trees, houses, and people, anything outside is at risk of being struck by lightning when thunderstorms are in the area, including cars. The good news though is that the outer metal shell of hard-topped metal vehicles does provide protection to those inside a vehicle with the windows closed.
Do I need lightning rods on my metal roof? ›
In most situations, it is not necessary to install lightning rods on your metal roof. Lightning strikes to homes are rare. If your roof is the highest point of a surrounding area, you may consider having a lightning safety system installed on your home.
Which metal is most commonly used to protect against lightning strikes? ›
Copper and its alloys are the most common materials used in lightning protection.
Should I ground my metal building? ›
All metal building components must be electrically bonded together, and each building must be independently grounded.
Lightning is nothing more than super-charged electricity. A single lightning bolt generates up to 100 million electrical volts!
Combustible wood framing is far more likely to ignite into flames when lightning strikes than non-combustible steel framing. Compounding the problem, wood framing feeds a fire. Steel framing does not burn nor fuel a blaze.