Inspection and preservation guidelines for a Lightning protection system (LPS)
Frequency of Inspections:

Lightning security systems will have to be inspected and repaired as integral:

upon completion of set up
after work on, enlargement, amendment, addition or other changes to the underlying blanketed structure(s) that requires annoying the system (NFPA 780, B.5)
after relocation of add-ons helping the system
upon discovering damaged approach add-ons
after predominant electrical storms, excessive wind pursuits, earthquakes, identified lightning discharges to the system or different occurrences that will have an impact on the approach
after enlargement of the underlying protected constructions that may require reconfiguring or increasing the LPS to provide adequate protection
periodically
it’s advocated that lightning defense techniques be visually inspected at the least yearly. Electing longer or shorter inspection intervals will have to be decided with the aid of motives on the discretion of the proprietor. In some areas the place severe climatic alterations occur, it maybe really helpful to visually inspect programs semi-yearly or following severe alterations in ambient temperatures.

Inspection criteria:

Inspections will have to be made to ascertain the next:

the procedure is in excellent repair and all components are in good condition and securely connected and linked as designed and in the beginning established
there were no alterations or changes to the method
there are no loose connections that might outcome in high-resistance joints
no part of the method has been weakened with the aid of corrosion or vibration
all down conductors and grounding electrodes are intact (non-severed)
all conductors and process components are fastened securely to their mounting surfaces and are blanketed against unintended mechanical displacement as required
there have now not been additions or adjustments to the protected structure that would require extra safeguard
there is no visible indication of injury to surge suppression instruments
the method complies with the relevant necessities
Inspection guides and files:

Inspection courses or varieties will have to be prepared and made to be had by way of the proprietor to the participants conducting inspections of lightning protection systems. These types must include adequate know-how, including that certain above, to consultant the inspector by way of the inspection process in order that he or she can file all areas of value relating to the methods of installation, the variety and condition of approach add-ons, experiment methods, and the right recording of the scan information received.

These documents must comprise snap shots, and should be retained through the owner and made to be had to be used in subsequent inspections to watch tendencies and flag issues.

Renovation of Lightning security methods:

A maintenance application will have to be situated to immediately restore any discrepancies identified via the inspection program. This application should replicate the factors contained within the inspection application.

Upkeep records. Complete documents of all upkeep methods and routines and of corrective moves which were or might be taken should be saved with the inspection documents. Such files can furnish a method of evaluating system add-ons and their installation. They might also serve as a foundation for reviewing upkeep tactics and updating any preventive renovation packages.

Issues for exact types of buildings:

structures. Problems most of the time arise because of the moves of window washers. Personnel must be told of the likelihood of damage from their gear, and directed to notify the owner in the event of harm. Additionally, any time set up or preservation of appurtenances such as antennas, security cameras, and different items is carried out, such work should be inspected and appraised for its have an impact on of the LPS. At a minimum, antennas and cameras commonly require bonding to the LPS.

Water/wastewater cure vegetation. One of the crucial largest enemies of structural lightning safety at these services appears to be hoses used by operating personnel. These hoses are usually dragged along handrails, dislodging air terminals and other accessories. Personnel should be made aware of this advantage hindrance, and methods inspected after this type of work.

Petroleum production, disposal and flowback facilities. Considering the fact that of the character of construction and disposal sites, they’re frequently modified, accelerated, reconfigured or or else converted. Additionally, bonding conductors and other procedure add-ons are more commonly disconnected or moved to allow protection of different tank methods. Personnel performing such work will have to be instructed to reconnect any disconnected bonding exactly as they discovered it, and to recommend the owner if that isn’t possible. Each and every web site might be inspected after any changes are made. Distinct problem-growing changes we’ve seen over time comprise adding slurry stations, including or relocating website lights, reconfiguring piping, adding tanks, installing hearth extinguishers on handrails above air terminal zones of protection and disconnecting bonding. On the grounds that these web sites tend to be corrosive environments, we have now additionally obvious corrosion on and under add-ons, peculiarly those uncovered to gases or beverages

Notes.
There are no grounding resistance necessities contained within the applicable requirements. Nonetheless, if the proprietor wishes, such checking out could be incorporated on this program. If preferred, checking out must be conducted of the grounding electrode termination method and its person grounding electrodes, if adequate disconnecting way were supplied. These experiment outcome should be compared with prior or usual (if conducted) outcome. Whether it is located that the experiment values fluctuate noticeably from previous values bought under the identical experiment strategies, additional investigations must be made to determine the cause for the change. If performed, it’s good to stagger inspections in order that earth resistance measurements are made within the hot, dry months as good because the cool, moist months.

There may be very little guidance contained within the relevant requirements regarding continuity testing. Nonetheless, if the proprietor wishes, such testing might be included for the period of inspections at higher intervals, probably three to five years. Such testing would incorporate the visible inspections described above, plus the next:

exams to verify continuity of those components of the method that have been hid (built in) throughout the initial installation and that aren’t on hand for visible inspection
continuity tests to examine if suitable equipotential bonding has been headquartered for any new offerings or constructions that have been delivered to the internal of the constitution on the grounds that the final inspection
The proprietor could contract for these offerings with any lightning safeguard organization, preferably one that is UL licensed Lightning safeguard system Installer. Or, proprietor personnel may just conduct these inspections and renovation. Lightning master enterprise is a UL certified Lightning protection system Installer and presents a QA/QC software to fulfill the above specifications.

Lightning Discharges Counts

Provides the statistics of the different quality scores and the scoreboard can provide information on various aspects of operational efficiency.