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Lightning Risk Management in Oil & Gas

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Lightning and surges can have disastrous effects on buildings, structures, and equipment. While lightning strikes cannot be avoided, providing an effective lightning protection system accord…

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Pillai Sreejith
  • Lightning & Surges - Myths & Facts
  • Lightning Protection (LP) Risk Assessment
  • New Concepts in Lightning Protection
  • Myths & Facts
  • Lightning Risk Management Programme (LRMP)
  • Internet Information on Lightning
  • References

Pillai Sreejith

Risk Note

Light ning & Sur ges


Myths & F acts

Lightning & Hazards

The effects of lightning strikes are disastrous, whether it is direct or indirect. So are the
effects of surges & transients. Lightning storms are on the increase globally – including
United Kingdom where more than 420,000 lightning strikes to ground were recorded in
[Link]’s reliability on sensitive electronic instrumentation, enterprise application
software (SCM CRM, ERP), computers, & communication networks depends on effective LP
systems.

Lightning is a natural phenomenon where the charge generated (due to cloud / air movement
and other turbulent atmospheric conditions) in the atmosphere gets to the earth through a
conductive path. Although the thermal effect of lightning is minimal due to the very short
time duration (milliseconds), the high current (in the range of several thousands of kilo
amperes) passing through structures or equipment or humans could be disastrous / fatal. The
conductive path the lightning strike choose could be a building, structure, equipment, tree,
car or a human being. The indirect effects of lightning, known as surges (temporary rise of
equipment. voltage for a very short duration) could destroy equipment and other
sophisticated electronic equipment.

Since the lightning cannot be avoided, the logical way to avert the risks of lightning strike is
to provide a conductive path (with a lesser electrical resistance) as per standards &
guidelines. The standards, IS 2309 & NFPA 780 provides reliable guidelines on the following
lightning protection aspects for buildings & structures. BS 6651 (British Standard for
Lightning Protection) identifies two distinctive forms of lightning protection. One standard is
designed to protect the building structure and a second to protect sensitive equipment inside
the building. Since the 1750’s the most popular methods of LP have involved sharp vertical
rods (Franklin Rods), horizontal and vertical conductors (Faraday’s Cage or Mesh) or a
combination of both. Only if air terminals are placed in the optimal location on the structure,
it is possible to achieve an efficient & reliable lightning protection system.

Surges & Hazards

Surges as defined earlier, are momentary increases in the normal working voltage of a
system. Sometimes referred to as ‘spikes’, ‘over-voltages’ or ‘transients’, these surges can
affect power cables, data / telephone cables and instrumentation wiring, causing anything

Pillai Sreejith
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Risk Note
from data loss to the total destruction of equipment. These are indirect effects of lightning
that destroy sophisticated equipment, especially the sensitive electronic equipment. Typical
causes include fluorescent light switching, blown fuses and nearby lightning activity. The
effects of these surges & transients are not always visible. Burnt / charred Printed Circuit
Boards (PCBs) or malfunctioning software, etc. are indications of the effect of surge /
transients. It is estimated that 70 to 85% of all transients are generated internally within one’s
own facility.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, NY,


Lightning and over-voltage transients cause damage to property, electrical, electronic and
communications equipment estimated to be more than US$1.2 billion dollars per year in the
US alone. This represents approximately 5% of all insurance claims in the US.
Surge Protection Devices (SPDs), as they are popularly called cannot protect equipment
against direct lightning strikes.

Lightning Protection (LP) Risk Assessment

Lightning Protection standards (IS 2309, BS 6651, etc.) provides the methodology to assess
the lightning protection requirement for structures and buildings based on the following 5
weighting factors.

• Lightning Protection Risk Assessment (LPRA)


• Use of Structure
• Type of Construction
• Contents
• Degree Of Isolation
• Type of Terrain

Based on the above weighting factors, area of structure / building and the lightning intensity
in the area, the overall lightning risk factor (Lightning Risk Exposure Index) is calculated.
This index is compared against the defined threshold lightning risk index and the lightning
protection requirement is assessed.

‘Furse StrikeRisk v2.0’ is a lightning Risk Assessment tool developed by Furse (Lightning
Protection manufacturers) engineers based on BS [Link] simple tool enables the user to
carry out the lightning protection risk assessment within minutes.

Lightning Protection System- Installation & Maintenance

Various national & international standards on lightning protection provide details on


installation and maintenance of lightning protection system. The essential guidelines that are
outlined in IS 2309 are given below.

• Selection & Design of LP system (based on Zone / Cone Of Protection)


• Air Termination (vertical, horizontal)

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Risk Note
• Down conductor (Number & routing to avert side flashing)
• Earth Pits

• LP system for metallic storage tanks (floating roof & fixed roof types)
• Inherently protected metallic tanks (depending on shell thickness)
• Number of earth connections = Tank Perimeter / 30
• Floating roof tanks to have sliding steel shoes

• Maintenance of LP System
• Tests on earthing system
• Inspection of air terminations
• Down conductors

No LP system is maintenance-free. Every type of LP system whether it is surge diverters


installed on power lines or Franklin rods atop buildings or surge protection devices installed
to protect electronic equipment, needs to be maintained based on applicable standards.
Monitoring the surge counter reading would give an idea of the local lightning activity in
your area. Earthing plays an important role in the efficacy of LP system.

As per API Recommended Practice (RP) 2003, artificial earthing of metal storage tanks
(storing petroleum products) neither decreases or increases the probability of the tanks being
struck, nor does it reduce the possibility of ignition of the tank contents.

New Concepts in Lightning Protection

There are various other LP systems that are being discussed around (early streamer emission,
controlled streamer emission, etc.) in the market, which are yet to be proven & approved (in

principle & technically) by national or international bodies such as National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI), etc. These new technology
LP systems are at present categorized as ‘Junk Science’ by reputed international LP bodies.
Like any other innovative concept, where acceptance comes late, these new LP systems
might get approved someday!

Lightning –Myths & Facts

Sl. No. Myth Fact

1. Lightning strikes the tallest object Not necessarily. It generally


hits the best conductor on
the ground. The
unpredictability aspect of
lightning is truly amazing.
2. Lightning never strikes a place / building / Another myth.

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Risk Note
structure twice Unpredictability aspect
again!
Empire State building was
struck 25 times in one year!
3. If LP system is installed & maintained as per Cannot really say. Damage
standards, lightning will not destroy building / due to lightning strikes
structure depends on many factors
such as severity of lightning
strike, point of strike,
efficacy of LP system &
earthing, etc.

In June 1998, 13 people


were badly injured during a
rock concert in Baltimore.
This stadium was provided
with LP!

4. You are safe inside a metal bodied car during Not completely true!
lightning.
A direct strike to your car will
flow through the frame of the
vehicle and usually jump over
or through the tires to reach
ground. Most lightning
incidents to cars result in one
or more flat tires and damage
to the electrical system, but no
injury to the occupants.

If lightning does hit your car,


stop and abandon it
immediately. It's not
uncommon for a strike to
ignite fuel and result in a fire
or explosion.

If you keep one leg inside


the car & another outside,
the potential difference will
exist and you can be struck.

5. If LP is installed for the building where Another common myth!


electronic system is installed, separate ESP protection should be
Electronic System Protection (ESP) is not separate.
required.
6. All UPS systems has in-built surge / transient Not necessary. In fact,
protection. majorities of UPS

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Risk Note
equipment do not have
Surge Protection Devices
(SPDs).
7. LP system once installed is virtually No. LP system for structures
maintenance-free. and buildings is to be tested
every 12 months as per
standards and after every
lightning strike.
8. TV aerial used as a lightning conductor. No. The aerial should be
within the zone of
protection of the LP system.
Additionally, the aerial
should be bonded into the
air termination network.
9. Lightning never strikes a group of people Not predictable.
At a Soccer match in
Republic of Congo
(October 1998), 11 team
members were killed by
lightning.
10. Ben Franklin was struck by lightning No way! Contrary to
popular school teachings,
Mr. Franklin was very lucky
to survive his experiment.
The spark he saw was a
product of the kite/key
system being in a

strong electric field. Had


the kite/key actually been
struck, Mr. Franklin would
surely have been killed!

Lightning Risk Management Programme (LRMP)

Assess the risks due to lightning and surges against the kind of protection (like property or
life, electronic equipment, application software, data reliability, etc.) you require. If the
calculated overall lightning risk index is lesser than the defined risk exposure threshold
(defined in LP standards, IS 2309, BS 6651), then LP is required. The next logical step is to
select and design the most appropriate LP installation / equipment for the structure / building
/ equipment to be protected.

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Risk Note
Integrated & effective building & electronic system protection can reduce the disastrous
effects of lightning and surges/transients to a considerable extent.

Internet Information on Lightning

Organisation Web Site URL Information Available

National lightning safety [Link] ✓ Lightning accidents


Institute (NLSI) ✓ Photos
✓ Myths & Facts
✓ Personal Lightning
Protection
FURSE [Link] ✓ LP Risk Calculator,
StrikeRisk
✓ Technical information
ERICO [Link] ✓ New LP concept
✓ Technical information
✓ User-friendly LP
product search
Lightning Protection & [Link]-protection- ✓ Information on lightning
Grounding Institute [Link] & grounding
[Link] ✓ New LP concept
✓ Technical Library
National Weather [Link]/ List of lightning-related
Service [Link] web sites
West Virginia Lightning [Link] ✓ Storm chasing &
lightning photography
(video, audio)
✓ Lightning myths
Lightning Protection [Link] Lightning Safety &
Institute Protection
Cholamandalam AXA [Link] • Free Professional Safety
Risk Services Ltd. Advice
• Risk Manager’s Column
• Safety Articles

Reference Standards on Lightning

IS: 2309, Code Of Practice for Lightning protection of Structures & Buildings
NFPA 780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems

Pillai Sreejith
Pillai Sreejith
Risk Note
BS 6651, British Standard on Lightning protection of structures & Buildings
API RP 2003, Protection Against Ignitions Arising out of Static, Lightning, And Stray
Currents
IEC1024-1, Protection of Structures Against Lightning, part I, 1992
IEC 1662, Assessment of the Risk of Damage Due to Lightning, First edition, 1995
MTL, Technical Application notes on surge protection (TAN 1001, 1002 & 1009)
ERICO, Product Manual
Furse ‘Electronic System Protection’ Handbook
Furse Consultant’s Handbook on ‘Earthing & Lightning Protection’

To have more information on areas of ‘Lightning Risk Management’, please write to


pillai_sreejith@[Link]

P.G. Sreejith

Pillai Sreejith

Common questions

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New concepts like early streamer and controlled streamer emission technologies are still under scrutiny and have not been widely accepted by recognized bodies such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or the National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI). These technologies have been categorized as 'junk science' because they lack proven and thorough testing to validate their effectiveness. Until further technical approval and principle validations are conducted, their effectiveness remains speculative and questionable .

Standards like IS 2309 and BS 6651 provide guidelines for designing and installing effective lightning protection systems. They define methodologies such as the lightning protection risk assessment, appropriate selection of air termination points, down conductors installation, earth pits, and testing procedures. Adherence to these standards ensures that protection systems are both reliable and efficient, reducing the risk of damage from lightning strikes by providing a safe path for electrical discharges to reach the ground .

Internal transient generation is primarily a result of operations within a facility, such as switching of fluorescent lights or blown fuses, and is responsible for 70 to 85% of surges. While lightning can exacerbate these surges, most transients originate from within the facility itself. These can lead to significant damage to sensitive electronic equipment unless properly managed by internal surge protection measures, showcasing a critical need for both lightning and internally-focused mitigation strategies .

Several myths exist about lightning, such as the belief that it always strikes the tallest object or never strikes the same place twice. In reality, lightning strikes following the best conductive path rather than just the tallest object, and it can strike the same location multiple times. The Empire State Building, for instance, was struck 25 times in one year. Additionally, it is a myth that if a building has an LP system, no damage will occur; other factors, such as the severity of the strike and the efficacy of the LP system, can still lead to damage .

Lightning and over-voltage transients have a significant economic impact, causing more than US$1.2 billion in damage to property, electrical, electronic, and communications equipment annually in the US. These incidents account for about 5% of all insurance claims. The operational impact includes data losses, equipment failures, and potential disruptions in service, particularly in businesses heavily reliant on electronic systems. Effective surge protection and risk assessment practices can mitigate these costs by protecting sensitive systems from damage .

Lightning strikes pose a threat to buildings and electronic equipment mainly through direct strikes and indirect effects such as surges. Direct strikes can cause physical damage due to high currents, while electrical surges, induced by lightning, can lead to equipment failure. To mitigate these threats, effective Lightning Protection (LP) systems should be installed according to standards such as IS 2309 and BS 6651. These systems include measures like conductive paths with lower electrical resistance, air terminals, and surge protection devices to redirect and mitigate electrical surges .

Lightning protection risk assessment tools, such as 'Furse StrikeRisk v2.0', analyze key factors like the use of structure, type of construction, contents, degree of isolation, and type of terrain. By weighting these factors and assessing the area's lightning intensity, these tools calculate a lightning risk exposure index. Comparing this index to a defined threshold helps determine the necessity for installing lightning protection systems in specific structures, ensuring targeted and efficient resource deployment for protection .

An effective lightning protection system involves key components such as air termination devices (e.g., Franklin rods), down conductors, and earthing systems. The design must consider air terminals' optimal placement, the number and routing of down conductors to prevent side flashing, and effective earthing methods. Additionally, the system should follow standards like IS 2309, which highlights protection zones or cones of protection. It's crucial to inspect and maintain these systems regularly to ensure functionality, with maintenance checks suggested every 12 months or after a lightning event .

Maintenance of LP systems involves regular inspections and tests to ensure their efficiency. This includes checking the earthing system, inspecting air termination devices, and ensuring the proper routing and function of down conductors. Standards recommend testing LP systems every 12 months and after any significant lightning activity. Surge diverters and other components should also be checked to maintain protection effectiveness .

Surge protection devices (SPDs) are designed to guard against indirect lightning effects, such as electrical surges or transients, by redirecting excess voltage and current away from protected devices. However, they are not capable of defending against the immense direct current of a lightning strike. Direct strikes impart exceptionally high currents that require a comprehensive lightning protection system, including air terminals and adequate grounding, to prevent damage .

Risk Note Pillai Sreejith Light ning & Sur ges Myths & F acts Lightning & Hazards The effects of lightning strikes are d
Risk Note Pillai Sreejith from data loss to the total destruction of equipment. These are indirect effects of lightning th
Risk Note Pillai Sreejith • Down conductor (Number & routing to avert side flashing) • Earth Pits • LP system for metallic
Risk Note Pillai Sreejith structure twice Unpredictability aspect again! Empire State building was struck 25 times in
Risk Note Pillai Sreejith equipment do not have Surge Protection Devices (SPDs). 7. LP system once installed is
Risk Note Pillai Sreejith Integrated & effective building & electronic system protection can reduce the disastrous effects
Risk Note Pillai Sreejith BS 6651, British Standard on Lightning protection of structures & Buildings API RP 2003, Protect

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