A lightning strike to an unprotected structure can be catastrophic. A single bolt of lightning can carry over 30 million volts of electricity. It can rip through roofs, explode brick and concrete and ignite fires. In addition to causing structural damage, lightning can also wreak havoc with computers, electronic equipment and appliances. A lightning protection system provides a safe pathway for energy from a lightning strike to find its way to earth and dissipate, encouraging the bolt to bypass building components that might otherwise be damaged. So its job is both to provide a path for the lightning strike to reach ground and to avoid damaging the building as the electrical current of the lightning bolt flows through the protection system components. LIGHTNING RISK ASSESSMENT Risk analysis calculations can be performed to assist in determining the risk of damage due to lightning. Once the risk has been determined it can be determined if a lightning protection system is recommended or optional. • Air terminals or lightning rods which form the initial contact point for lightning strikes that are reaching towards ground in the immediate area. • Main Conductor Cables which is connected to the air terminal and/or run near the ridge or other building high points, routed to the ground. • Bonding & Mounting hardware are used to splice or connect between air terminals, cables, ground rods, and possibly other devices, and to support the air terminals, cables, or other devices in place. • Ground rods that are connected to the grounding system for energy dissipation and connected to the cables. • Surge Arrestors/Suppressors are electrical devices installed in or on a building's electrical components and designed to protect electrical equipment from the electrical surge that occurs when lightning strikes a nearby power line. SPECIFICATIONS • manufacturer's products allowing us to recommend the best and most cost- effective materials to meet your needs. We design systems with you in mind. Because TCE is an independent design firm, there is no proprietary interest in any and will work with all manufacturers or installers to guarantee that you get the best results. IMPORTANT: A proper low impedance ground plane is require to help eliminate side flashes and damage to electronic equipment. TCE has the equipment to either test the impedance of your soil or grounding system. DRAWINGS Following our in-house standards for drawings, the lightning protection system component symbols that we use are consistent with national standards and remain the same throughout. Of course we are able to sign and seal all drawings we complete!