English Heritage seeks to ensure that any works to a historic building do not unnecessarily disturb or destroy historic fabric. In deciding how best to protect a building from the effect of lightning, the principles of minimum intervention and reversibility should be adopted whenever and wherever possible.
'Lightning Protection for Churches'
The evidence suggests that churches without a lightning protection system are more likely to suffer damage from lightning strikes than churches with lightning protection, even though statistically it is still small.
This advice note produced by English Heritage and Ecceslesiatical Insurance Group recommends that consideration is given to the installation of lightning protection at all churches. There is no system, however, which will give absolute protection. The objective should be to install a system which balances the conservation needs of the building against the provision of an acceptable level of protection.
'Surge Protection Equipment'
Statistical evidence indicates that most of the claims against damage resulting from lightning strikes arise from the destruction of electronic components and printed circuit boards commonly found in the following modern building systems.
- fire alarm control panels
- security systems
- telephone exchanges
- sound system mixer units and microphones
- lighting dimmer units and control panels
This advice note from English Heritage and Ecclesiastical Insurance Group recommends that consideration be given to the installation of surge protection devices in all at risk historic buildings, including places of worship.
BS EN 62305 Protection Against Lightning
At the end of August 2008 British Standard BS 6651:1999 was replaced by British Standard Europe Norm (BS EN) 62305 Protection against Lightning. This advice note summarises the new standard's key requirements and the main differences it introduced.
