The view from a skyscraper is so beautiful. It feels like touching the sky. But, the same skyscraper seems scary during a thunderstorm. Lightning gets terrific and dangerous, especially if the skyscraper isn’t protected. 

Generally, the risk of death from being struck by lightning is low. But, as it’s about skyscrapers, anything can happen due to the short distance between positively charged buildings and negatively charged layers of a cloud. If not humans, the lightning poses a greater risk to the system and infrastructure. It causes disruptive blackouts and expensive-to-repair damages to any structure in its path. 

Skyscrapers seem strong but they aren’t during thunderstorms without protection. A skyscraper might lose its identity within a minute if the lightning is strong, putting many people to death. 

How should you protect skyscrapers from lightning during thunderstorms?

The technology helps in securing skyscrapers from lightning. You should utilize the Lightning Protection System to prevent damage to skyscrapers and protect the people inside. This system attracts lightning bolts and sends them to the Earth, where the energy dissipates safely. 

How does the Lightning Protection System work to protect skyscrapers?

Lightning rods are installed at the top of the skyscraper. They actively draw lightning towards them by emitting positive ions that attract the negative ions found in storm clouds that create lightning. 

Even if lightning rods don’t emit positive ions, they are effective because lightning follows the path of least resistance. In this case, the lightning rods give a path for lightning, giving much less resistance than the air. This is a major reason why lightning strikes metal and the lightning rods are made using metals. 

The lightning rods are designed in such a way that charge flows down the length of the rod and then into the ground safely as the lightning strikes. The skyscrapers or people inside don’t feel the lightning attack. 

Are lightning rods enough to handle lightning strikes in skyscrapers?

As one of the important parts of the Lightning Protection System, the lightning rods are enough to handle lightning strikes in skyscrapers. But, to ensure complete protection of the building, the lightning rods are combined with other precautions, such as surge protectors. 

The combination of these elements increases the safety level of skyscrapers, protecting the infrastructure from the strongest lightning and thunderstorms. But, the thing is both the elements should be high quality. 

Where lightning rods should be placed in skyscrapers?

Lightning tends to strike the highest object in the vicinity. So, you should place the lightning rods at the apex of a structure and along its ridges. Don’t worry about the connection of the lightning rods to the ground as they are connected by low-impedance cables. 

How JSM Energy can help you?

JSM Energy is one of the leading lightning protection system suppliers in the UAE. We don’t just give away the system. We first assess the building and additional structure on the property, identifying the vulnerable areas. Based on our assessment, we recommend the best lightning protection system for the building. Also, we provide lightning protection system installation service.