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Lightning protection of a historical object

How to reliably protect a historic site from lightning without spoiling its appearance.

Lightning protection of architectural monuments requires a flexible approach. On one hand, a lightning strike can damage the facade decor of a historic building, split stone elements, change the color of metal parts or melt them. In some cases, a fire caused by lightning, causes irreparable damage to a cultural heritage site. Therefore, its lightning protection should be as reliable as possible.

lightning protection of a historical object

On the other hand, a structure of historical value must retain its original appearance. In order not to spoil it, it is necessary to very carefully select lightning rods and down conductors, as well as to design their placement.

It is better to use decorative lightning rods for lightning protection of historical objects, for example ZZ-201-002-D. Due to the ability to customize this lightning rod, it will harmoniously complement the historical object of any architectural style. But in some cases, ordinary rod lightning rods, for example ZZ-201-004, won't look like an alien element on a historic building. We used such interception rods for external lightning protection of one of Moscow estates, about the restoration of which was a lot written in the print press. Let's study the project of its lightning protection and grounding in more detail.

Task

Calculate lightning protection of a cultural heritage site of federal significance. The building under protection is an ordinary structure in terms of lightning protection in accordance with the IS and is in Category 3 according to the AD.

Solution

Calculations of lightning protection and grounding of a historical object are made in accordance with the following documents:

  1. "Electrical Installation Code" EIC 7th ed. (hereinafter - EIC).
  2. "Instructions for organization of lightning protection of buildings, structures and industrial communications" IS 153-34.21.122-2003 (hereinafter IS).
  3. "Instructions for lightning protection of buildings and structures" AD 34.21.122-87 (hereinafter - AD).

Protection of buildings from lightning strikes is carried out with the help of lightning rods. A lightning rod is a device rising above a facility that diverts lightning current into the ground without entering the facility. It consists of a lightning rod which directly takes the lightning discharge upon itself, a down conductor and a ground electrode.

Description of external lightning protection system of a historical object

Measures to meet the requirements for the lightning protection system:

  1. Installation of two 4 m high rod lightning rods on a pipe. It is taken into account that 0.5 meter of the rod length is used for fastening.
  2. Installation of five rod lightning rods with 2 m high on the ridge.
  3. Lightning rods are interconnected to arrange two down conductors, using copper-bonded wire D=8 mm from each lightning rod. Down conductors are connected to the artificial ground electrode. Down conductors is carried out (installation distance 0.6-1 m):
  4. Connection and branching of down conductors is carried out with the help of GL-11551А clamps.

Measures to ensure the requirements to the grounding device:

  1. Installation of a grounding device consisting of a horizontal electrode (copper bonded tape 4x30 mm), depth 0.5 meter and 3 vertical electrodes (pins made of copper coated bonded steel with a diameter of 14 mm) 3 m long
  2. Interconnection of horizontal electrodes is carried out by using ZZ-005-064 clamp.
  3. The down conductor is connected to the copper-bonded tape protruding from the ground with the help of GL-11562A clamp.

The arrangement of the elements of the lightning protection system and the grounding device is shown in Figure 1 and in the sketch in a separate file. The protection zone in the figure corresponds to zone B of the AD.

lightning protection project of a historical object

Figure 1 - The layout of the elements of lightning protection and grounding device for the historical site

Components for external lightning protection system of a historical object

Table 1 - Materials requirement list

№

Fig.

Product item

Product

Quantity

Lightning protection system
1. ZANDZ Vertical air-terminal -mast 4 m (stainless steel) ZZ-201-004 ZANDZ Vertical air-terminal -mast 4 m (stainless steel) 2
2. GALMAR Holder for interception rods GL-2110X (installed on the chimney, wall; stainless steel) GL-21202 GALMAR Holder for interception rods GL-2110X (installed on the chimney, wall; stainless steel) 2
3. GALMAR GL-2110X Clamp to lightning rods for down conductors (stainless steel) GL-20022 GALMAR GL-2110X Clamp to lightning rods for down conductors (stainless steel) 2
4. GALMAR lightning rod 2 meters high for installation in threaded holders (M16; stainless steel) GL-11521SS GALMAR lightning rod 2 meters high for installation in threaded holders (M16; stainless steel) 5
5. Ridge holder GALMAR for lightning rod (thread M16; connection on d10 mm down conductor; bronze) GL-11525 Ridge holder GALMAR for lightning rod (thread M16; connection on d10 mm down conductor; bronze) 5
6. GALMAR Copper- bonded steel wire (D8 mm; coil of 50 meters) GL-11149-50 GALMAR Copper- bonded steel wire (D8 mm; coil of 50 meters) 3
7. GALMAR Clamp for the roof covered with metal profiles / corrugated sheets, for down conductor (painted galvanized steel) GL-11747A GALMAR Clamp for the roof covered with metal profiles / corrugated sheets, for down conductor (painted galvanized steel) 110
8. GALMAR Clamp to the facade / wall for a down conductor with elevation (15 mm high; painted galvanized steel) GL-11703A GALMAR Clamp to the facade / wall for a down conductor with elevation (15 mm high; painted galvanized steel) 15
9. GALMAR Clamp on drainpipe for a down-conductor (tinned copper + tinned brass) GL-11514 GALMAR Clamp on drainpipe for a down-conductor (tinned copper + tinned brass) 25
10. GALMAR Clamp for connecting down conductors (painted galvanized steel) GL-11551A GALMAR Clamp for connecting down conductors (painted galvanized steel) 10
11. GALMAR Control clamp for connecting down conductors, wire + tape (painted galvanized steel) GL-11562A GALMAR Control clamp for connecting down conductors, wire + tape (painted galvanized steel) 3

Grounding device
12. ZANDZ Clamp for connecting conductors (up to 40 mm) ZZ-005-064

ZANDZ Clamp for connecting conductors (up to 40 mm)

 3
13. GALMAR Copper-bonded tape (30 * 4 mm / S 120 mm²; coil of 50 meters) GL-11075-50 GALMAR Copper-bonded tape (30 * 4 mm / S 120 mm²; coil of 50 meters) 1
14.  ZANDZ Copper-bonded threaded grounding rod (D14; 1.5 m ZZ-001-065 ZANDZ Copper-bonded threaded grounding rod (D14; 1.5 m) 6
15. ZANDZ Threaded coupler ZZ-002-061 ZANDZ Threaded coupler 4
16. ZANDZ Starting tip ZZ-003-061 ZANDZ Starting tip 3
17. ZANDZ Driving head for a jackhammer ZZ-004-060 ZANDZ Driving head for a jackhammer 2
18. ZANDZ Conductive grease ZZ-006-000 ZANDZ Conductive grease 1
19. ZANDZ Waterproof tape ZZ-007-030 ZANDZ Waterproof tape 1
20. ZANDZ Header for a jackhammer (SDS max) ZZ-008-000 ZANDZ Header for a jackhammer (SDS max) 1

 

Do you have questions about lightning protection of historic sites? Please contact our ZANDZ Technical center!

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