What Happens to Metal Buildings When Struck By Lightning

According to the National Weather Service, the average number of lightning strikes in the United States is 20 million per year. In case you are wondering how powerful the lightning strike is, you may be surprised to know that a typical lightning flash is 300 million Volts (around 30,000 Amps) compared to our house current, which is 120 Volts (15 Amps).

Clearly, lightning is a beautifully striking & dangerous phenomenon occurring on Earth. Any direct contact with it may cause significant damage to your building or yourself. So, you must be thinking metal is a good conductor; hence, how can it be a safe option for a building?

That’s the question we are going to address in this blog. So, come alone, let’s see and burst some myth surrounding lightning & its effect on metal buildings.

Do Metal Attract Lightning?

Yes, metal is a good conductor, but it is just one side of the story. There is more to it. You see, unlike the widespread belief that makes you think that you should remove all objects like metal poles or rods that may attract lightning, the truth is lightning strike often times depends upon factors such as:

• Height of the structure,
• the shape of the structure and
• How isolated the structure is.

So, the ideal structure that is most likely to be struck by lightning is a tall, pointy, and secluded or detached structure. A metal building simply does not fit the bill. But how safe are metal structures from lightning strikes? Let’s find out.

What Will Happen If Lightning Hits Metal Buildings?

Having a metal roof on top of your head does not increase the chances of getting your home hit by a lightning strike. It is a myth that structures that are made up of metal or metallic bodies or your smartphone will attract thunder strikes. Instead, as we have seen above, the structure’s shape, size, and location contribute more towards whether they will get hit by lightning.

Keep in mind that natural elements such as trees and mountains get hit by lightning all the time, and they are not made up of metals. But what if lighting strikes a metal building?

In that case, electricity will be transferred to the ground below. The metal frame will act as a safeguard. It will transfer the energy of the lightning bolt to the ground, not to the people or any objects that are inside the metal building.

It is understandable that, as a metal building owner, you are worried about your assets. In that case, you would be pleased to know that metal is a non-combustible material that does not flame up easily. So, where a wooden structure is more likely to catch fire due to a lightning strike, metal is relativity a safer option.

More than anything, you should be more concerned with the proximity of thunderstorms. Currently, no known material can resist lightning at 100%. So, go for a sturdy metal roof that is adequately grounded to pass all the electric current into the ground.

How To Be Safe During Lightning Storm Inside Metal Buildings?

• As discussed above, gather all tall and pointy things near your main building & put them in a shed. This will prevent any unwanted attraction during lightning storms.
• You can unplug all appliances that are not in use just to be safe.
• If you have a lawn or plantation near your house, ensure that they are properly trimmed and extra hanging branches are cut short.
• And finally, I prefer staying indoors as much as possible.

Note that these precautions apply to all types of buildings, be it metal, wood, or concrete.

Installing Lightning Protection for Your Home

This recommendation also goes for all building types, including metal buildings. You can do this by installing a lightning rod, having a sturdier building foundation, and properly grounding the lightning rod.

The NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) states that LPS (lightning protection system) does not prevent lightning from striking. Instead, it redirects the current safely into the ground. This is done by installing a lightning rod that gives a conductive path to the current and disperses the energy into the ground.

For an LPS to work appropriately, it is necessary that all its parts are firmly connected with each other. This ensures the safety of the building & avoids any sparkle.

Note that LPS might be needed for gas pipes that are connected to your building.

Get Lightning Deals with Metal Buildings:

As you have seen above, a lot of fear and myth surrounding lightning strikes on metal roofs or buildings is a mere misconception that needs to be addressed. It is by far clear from the facts that metal structures are much safer and resistant to lightning, and fire caused by it.

So, now you can contently choose the metal buildings of your choice, be it a carport, garage, or metal barn, without worrying about the flash of electricity from the sky.