Practical Experience in Designing a Lightning Protection System for a Lyceum Building

Abstract

The study was carried out with the aim of demonstrating practical experience in lightning risk assessment and the design of an external lightning protection system in accordance with the requirements of current Ukrainian regulatory documents. The risk analysis and design of the lightning protection system were performed for a specific lyceum building that is currently out of operation and subject to reconstruction.

The surveyed lyceum building has a complex plan configuration with overall dimensions of 42×53 m. There is no basement. The building is a frameless structure with load-bearing exterior and interior brick walls and partitions 250–510 mm thick. The attic floor is made of precast hollow-core reinforced concrete slabs. As a result of the reconstruction, the cold roof will be made of metal tiles installed on a wooden rafter system. According to DBN B.1.2-14:2018, the facility has a responsibility class of CC2.

Calculations by the methodology of DSTU EN 62305-2:2021 showed that the risks of injury or loss of life due to electric shock, as well as the risk of physical damage to the lyceum building caused by a lightning strike, exceed permissible values. These significant risks necessitate the installation of a lightning protection system for the building.

The external lightning protection system of the lyceum building was designed in accordance with DSTU EN 62305-3:2021 requirements. It consists of a protective mesh with 15×15 m cells located on the surface of the pitched roof, down conductors, and both horizontal and vertical earthing electrodes forming a closed-loop contour. The mesh and down conductors are made of galvanised steel wire with a diameter of 8 mm. All connecting and fastening components of the lightning protection structure are manufactured using domestically produced materials.

Based on the design results, the proposed configuration of the external lightning protection system ensures reliable protection of the building against lightning strikes. The described methodology for risk analysis and system design can be applied to the design and reconstruction of other residential and public buildings of a similar type.