You are on page 1of 55

Air Force Reserve Command

Integrity - Service - Excellence

Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) and You

MSgt Mike Sherman 301 FW/SEW

Lightning Protection

The U.S. Has 20 Million Cloud-To-Ground Lightning Flashes Each Year The U S H Ab t 100 000 Thunderstorms P Y Th U.S. Has About 100,000 Th d t Per Year! ! The Odds Of An Individual Being Struck By Lightning Each Year In The U.S. Is About 300,000 To 1 Florida 100,000 To 1 (#1 Lightning Area USA)

Integrity - Service - Excellence

Lightning Protection
NUMBER OF DEATHS BY NATURAL HAZARDS, HAZARDS 1940-1981

LIGHTNING TORNADO FLOOD HURRICANE

7,741 5,268 5 268 4,481 1,923 1 923

Integrity - Service - Excellence

Lightning Protection

Strike Locations

40% Unreported 27% Open fields 14% Under trees (not golf) 8% Water-related (boating, fishing, swimming) 5% Golf/golf under trees 3% Heavy equipment and machinery-related 2.4% Telephone-related 2 4% T l h l t d 0.7% Radio, transmitter & antenna-related.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

Lightning Protection
Lightning Casualties In U.S. (1959-1994)
Radio and Radio Equipment
(1.2%)

Trees
(1.7%)

Open Fields
(45.0%)

Telephone
(4.0%)

Farm a d a and Heavy Equipment


(5.0%)

Under Trees
(23.0%)

Water
Golf
(6.5%) Integrity - Service - Excellence
5

(13.6%) (13 6%)

Lightning Protection

"Fast" imagery of plane being affected by the Fast flash.


Integrity - Service - Excellence
6

Lightning Protection

What to do when Lightning shows up?

Evacuate personnel from these locations when lightning is with-in 5 Nautical Miles (5.75 Miles):

Any explosive location without lightning protection (Licensed facilities are exempt). Facilities containing exposed explosives, vapors or dust, even if p protected by lightning rods. y g g Parked vehicles & rail cars. All locations and personnel within PTR distance of the above. Stop aircraft munitions loading / unloading. p g g Stop aircraft refueling / de-fueling.

These types of locations (facilities or areas) are considered unprotected if they have no lightning protection installed.
Integrity - Service - Excellence
7

Lightning Protection

Lightning Protection

Properly maintained lightning protection is required (with exceptions) for ammunition and explosives facilities (e g open pads, revetments, and modules (e.g., pads revetments used for manufacturing, processing, handling or storing explosives and ammunition).

Integrity - Service - Excellence

Lightning Protection

DoD 6055.9 STD - Explosive Safety Standards

Chapter 7:

Defines minimum explosives safety criteria for the design design, maintenance, testing and inspection of lightning protection systems. Also addresses exceptions to required lightning protection systems.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

Lightning Protection

AFMAN 91-201 - Explosive Safety Standards


Implements AF safety policy and DoD 6055.9 Std It applies to everyone involved in any explosives operation in the Air Force, and compliance is mandatory.

Chapter 2, Section D deals with Electrical Hazards:


Hazardous Locations (2.46) Electrical Service (2.48) Static (2.51& 2.52) Grounds and Bonding (2.53) Lightning Protection (2.54)

Integrity - Service - Excellence

10

Lightning Protection

AFI 32-1065 - Grounding Systems

Implements maintenance requirements of DoD 6055.9 Std, Std Chapter 7 Lightning Protection and Assigns Lightning Protection and, maintenance responsibilities and requirements for grounding, static, & lightning protection systems on AF installations. i t ll ti

Integrity - Service - Excellence

11

Lightning Protection

NFPA 780 (National Fire Protection Association)

Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems - 2004 y LPSs must comply with, Standards for the Installation of Lightning Protections Systems, the National Electric Code, NFPA 70, reference (l), and MIL-HDBK-419. All locations where explosives are involved (with exceptions) should be equipped with an LPS, and the systems maintained regularly.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

12

Lightning Protection

Provides practical safeguarding for persons and property from hazards arising from exposure to lightning. These traditional LPS installation requirements are intended for; Ordinary Structures, Miscellaneous Structures structures, Structures containing flammable vapors and gases, but NOT explosives manufacturing buildings and magazines. magazines

Integrity - Service - Excellence

13

Lightning Protection

AFI 32-1065

Responsibilities - The Base Civil Engineers (BCE):

Maintain lightning and grounding systems specifically identified in Table 1. according to the procedures in AFI 32-1065 Make M k sure th t user organizations id tifi d in Table 1. that i ti identified i T bl 1 are aware of their maintenance responsibilities. Train users to perform their responsibilities to inspect and maintain lightning and grounding systems as identified in Table 1. when requested

Integrity - Service - Excellence

14

Lightning Protection

AFI 32-1065, Table 1

FACILITY 6. Aircraft Parking Apron Grounds and Hanger Floor Static Grounds

ACTION REQUIRED Resistance check on static grounds (10,000 ohms max)

FREQUENCY When installed or physically damaged

RESPONSIBILITY Base Civil Engineer

REFERECE AFM 88-9, Chapter 3

Integrity - Service - Excellence

15

Lightning Protection
FACILITY 12. Non-Hazardous Explosive Area (Weapons) ACTION REQUIRED a, Visual inspection of static wire bonds FREQUENCY Quarterly RESPONSIBILITY User REFERECE AFMAN 91-201; this AFI

b. Continuity check on static bond from equipment to static ground

24 months

User

AFMAN 91-201

c. Visual inspection of lightning protection

12 months

Base Civil Engineer

AFMAN 91-201; this AFI

d. Resistance check on lightning protection earth ground system (25 ohms max except Ground Loop System)

24 months

Base Civil Engineer

AFMAN 91-201; this AFI 91 201;

Continuity check on air terminals, bonds, and conductors (1 ohm)

24 months

Base Civil Engineer

AFMAN 91-201; this AFI

Static bus bar continuity to ground (1 ohm)

24 months

Base Civil Engineer

AFMAN 91-201; this AFI

Integrity - Service - Excellence

16

Lightning Protection

All Inspection Records are kept for:


6 Inspection Cycles (BCE and Munitions)

Integrity - Service - Excellence

17

Lightning Protection

Who is an Authorized Inspector?

Personnel Maintaining, Repairing, Modifying, and Testing grounding systems must be thoroughly familiar with test equipment operation, lightning protection grounding and bonding theory and practices; referenced codes and standards and the standards, specific requirements and procedures set forth in the regulations.
Base

Civil Engineering
DoD 6055.9-STD, C7.3.4 AFI 32-1065, para 6

Integrity - Service - Excellence

18

Lightning Protection

Different kinds of protection

Mast Catenary
MAST HEIGHT = H

Integral System
MAST

RADIUS 100FT 100 FT

RADIUS 100FT ( (30M) )

OVERHEAD GROUND WIRES

RADIUS 100FT (STRIKING DISTANCE) H 100FT Single mast zone of protection defined by dashed lines GROUND SURFACE Overhead ground wires zone of protection defined by ground wire(s) and dashed lines

Integrity - Service - Excellence

19

Lightning Protection

Mast System

The required zone of protection determines the height of the Mast Provides a primary attachment point for lightning remote from the structure to be protected

AFI 32-1065, para. 14.5 Integrity - Service - Excellence


20

Lightning Protection

Catenary System

The primary benefit of a Catenary System over a Mast System, is it provides GREATER protection coverage

AFI 32-1065, para. 14.5 Integrity - Service - Excellence


21

Lightning Protection

Integral System

Air terminals - Strike Termination Devices Conductors - Roof Perimeter, Cross Run and Down Conductors Earth Electrode System - Ground Rods or Plates and a Ground Loop System

Integrity - Service - Excellence

22

Lightning Protection

Air Terminals

An air terminal is a component of a lightning protection system that is intended to safely intercept lightning strikes. li ht i t ik

Integrity - Service - Excellence

23

Lightning Protection

ConductorsProvide low impedance paths from the air terminals to the earth electrode (ground) system.

Roof Perimeter, Cross Run and Down Conductors Perimeter

Integrity - Service - Excellence

24

Lightning Protection

Earth Electrode System - Earth electrode systems dissipate the current from a lightning strike to ground.

Ground Rods or Plates and a Ground Loop System

Integrity - Service - Excellence

25

Lightning Protection

Earth Electrode System -

Integrity - Service - Excellence

26

Lightning Protection

An LPS also consists of:


Interconnecting Conductors Surge Suppression Devices Other connections or fittings required to complete the system

Integrity - Service - Excellence

27

Lightning Protection
Lightning Protection Exceptions Explosive operations served by a local lightning warning system to permit operations to be terminated before the incidence of an electrical storm if all personnel can and will be provided protection equivalent to public traffic route distance. distance An approved operating instruction (OI) governing withdrawal of personnel from the area is required. Structures and facilities limited to the storage or handling of small arms ammunition where the value of the ammunition is $10,000 or less.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

28

Lightning Protection
Lightning Protection Exceptions -

Lightning protection systems may be omitted on flightline Potential Explosion Sites (PES) if the system interferes with flightline criteria. criteria Facilities used for temporary (non-recurring) storage of munitions. t f iti Structures, facilities, or mobile equipment housing explosives or explosives operations not regularly l i l i ti t l l situated at a fixed location.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

29

Lightning Protection
Lightning Protection Exceptions -

Licensed explosives locations outside the explosives storage area but situated in buildings primarily used for other purposes and that have relatively small quantities of explosives. Note: This exemption from additional or special lightning
protection is made because of the explosives. Other contents of the building may require protection.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

30

Lightning Protection

Installed Systems and Equipment Ground: (2.53)


All grounding mediums should be bonded together. Test grounds when installed. Test grounds per AFI 32-1065. 32 1065.

Non - Hazardous Locations (2.53.2)


Static bonding straps will be inspect Quarterly for breaks and corroded connections. Test for electrical continuity and resistance. y Test grounds IAW AFI 32-1065. (24 months)

Integrity - Service - Excellence

31

Lightning Protection

Static Grounding: (2.52)

The method generally used to eliminate or reduce the hazard from static electricity is to provide an electrically continuous path to ground. l t i ll ti th t d Electrical continuity may be broken by oil, on y y y , bearings, paint, or rust at any contact point.

Grounding straps should be used to bridge such locations.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

32

Lightning Protection

Static Grounding:

Static grounds will NOT be made to:


Telephone grounds. Electrical conduit systems. Gas, steam, hot water, or airlines. Sprinkler systems; or Air terminals of lightning protection system. (connection to the down wire of the system at the ground level is authorized). authorized)

Integrity - Service - Excellence

33

Lightning Protection
Equipment Grounds:

Integrity - Service - Excellence

34

Lightning Protection

Ground Test Locations


37 38 35 34 5 4 3 2 1 A 24 23 20 19 16 15 1 18 4 38 43 33

7 25 26 21 22 17

27 3 B 9 40

41

42 32

10

11 12

13

28

29 30

31

Integrity - Service - Excellence

35

Lightning Protection

Equipment Grounds Tracking:

Integrity - Service - Excellence

36

Lightning Protection
Ground Terminals
The portion of a lightning protection system such as a ground rod, ground plate, or ground conductor that is installed f th i t ll d for the purpose of providing electrical f idi l ti l contact with the earth Placed "symmetrically" about the circumference of the facility

Ammo 47 - 11 - 1

Integrity - Service - Excellence

37

Lightning Protection
Ground Rods
Explosive Operating Buildings
3/4 inch in diameter 10 feet long Spaced no closer than 10 feet 3 feet away from walls or footings Max. 25 ohms earth resistance Top of rod 1 foot below grade

Ammo 47 - 11 - 3

Integrity - Service - Excellence

38

Lightning Protection
Bonding
Bonding is the electrical connection between an electrically conductive object and a component of a lightning protection system that is intended to significantly reduce the potential differences created by lightning currents. The rational behind this is to prevent side flash (arching) between metal objects that could create a fire hazard. All components of a bonding system shall be sized IAW the bonding requirements of NFPA 780, Tables 4.1.1.1(A) d 4 1 1 1(A) and (B) and AFI 32 1065 Att h d 32-1065 Attachment 3 t 3.
Ammo - 47 - 10 - 1

Integrity - Service - Excellence

39

Lightning Protection
Bonding
All conductors (piping, phone lines, power cables etc) All buried underground for a minimum distance of 50 feet prior to entering the facility. Earth covered igloos - All metal objects, within side flash distance bonded to the LPS. Grounded metal objects within side flash distance of a down conductor - Bonded to the down conductor. Isolated (Ungrounded) metal bodies located close to a lightning conductor and to a grounded metal body bonded is bonded when within side flash distance
Ammo - 47 - 10 - 5

Integrity - Service - Excellence

40

Lightning Protection

Bonding

Integrity - Service - Excellence

41

Lightning Protection

Bonding

Integrity - Service - Excellence

42

Lightning Protection
Why Inspect and Test
Lightning Protection Systems Contact with Earth Electrically Intact Properly Designed P l D i d

Ammo 47 - 12 - 1

Integrity - Service - Excellence

43

Lightning Protection

Where do you go for training:

From the Defense Ammunition Center (DAC):

Course Title: AMMO-47 Lightning Protection for Air Force Facilities Classes are presented at different US Bases. The WEB Address for the classes and additional information

https://www3.dac.army.mil/AS/cou06o.html

There is also a link on the AFRC Weapons Safety page p yp g that will take you there.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

44

Lightning Protection
Locations for Upcoming LPS Training

Integrity - Service - Excellence

45

Lightning Protection

Integrity - Service - Excellence

46

Lightning Protection

Who Should Attend:

Base Civil Engineer Personnel

Engineers & Technicians

Explosive Safety

Managers NCOs

Munitions Personnel & Civilian Contractors

Integrity - Service - Excellence

47

Lightning Protection
Rolling Ball Theory

10 0

Integrity - Service - Excellence

48

Lightning Protection

Zone of Protection

100 Ft. Ft

Zone of Protection

Integrity - Service - Excellence

49

Lightning Protection
Mast and Catenary Systems
MAST HEIGHT = H

RADIUS 100FT 100 FT MAST

RADIUS 100FT (30M)

OVERHEAD GROUND WIRES

RADIUS 100FT (STRIKING DISTANCE) H 100FT Single mast zone of protection defined by dashed lines GROUND SURFACE Overhead ground wires zone of protection defined by ground wire(s) and dashed lines
50

Integrity - Service - Excellence

Lightning Protection

Air terminal design showing both Franklin rods and tall steel masts.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

51

Lightning Protection

Defective bonding strap shows poor maintenance.

Integrity - Service - Excellence

52

Lightning Protection
Ufer ground g

Integrity - Service - Excellence

53

Lightning Protection

Integrity - Service - Excellence

54

Questions

Integrity - Service - Excellence

55

You might also like