Sunday, May 26, 2019

A Professional Guide On Lightning Protection

By Matthew Young


Lightning kills more than 2,000 people in US every year. This is more than the people who die because of tornadoes that sweep the country all year. Lightning protection is therefore a priority when constructing buildings and during an active storm. There are several safety measures that will keep you safe during a thunder storm.

Ascertain that the building you have rented has adequate protection measures. If you are a developer, take appropriate measures to protect the building. Construction authorities provide standards that must be met during construction. They involve installation of arrestor plates that will earth or ground the current. These are the basic measures of staying safe and keeping everyone in the house safe.

Watch the weather if you live in a place that is prone to thunder. Taking precaution is always preferred as opposed to waiting until the minute of strike. If weather reports indicate that there will be thunder, you can avoid too much traveling or take cover in a safe house. Do not wait to be caught up in the rains and risk being struck. The results might be catastrophic.

Rains and thunder might catch you outdoors and unaware that there was going to be heavy rain. The best solution is to take cover. Avoid water because the current can travel even on the thinnest stream. Keep away from high ground because the current will consider you the best current conductor. Stay away from open spaces where there are no buildings or conductors. At an open space, you will be the best conductor for the current and therefore suffer the burns.

Get into a vehicle like a car, van or lorry that is completely enclosed. Current will get lost when it strikes the body, providing you the best protection. Keep the windows closed and do not touch the body or any metallic surface that is connected to the body. If the storm finds you outside at a place where you cannot take cover, keep your feet together and get to a crouching position. Close your ears to protect them from the clapping thunder.

Indoors are not entirely safe when a storm strikes. Current can pass through different surfaces and still get you indoors. Take measures to protect yourself even when living inside the house. Drop the telephone and do not use your headset during a storm. These gadgets are connected using wires that can conduct current. Unplug all electronics like televisions and gadgets like computers from the wall. The wires will conduct current that damages them or gets to you.

Suspend all activities that relate to water or outdoors and remain within a safe area. You can be affected by a lightning strike that hits the ground up to 10 miles away. This means that it will travel with water and get to you. Avoid water and such other dangerous places for up to 30 minutes after the last thunder.

Protection of buildings and permanent infrastructure is the most important before thinking of measures taken during a thunder storm. There are professionals who will help assess the level of safety for a house. They also assist with maintenance to ensure that you are always covered. Workers and people near the premises must be involved, and especially sensitized on the measures to take in case there is a strike.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment