Lightning Study

[bwat]

I put this under the PV forum, although it might be more of a general one.

What drives the requirement for a lightning risk assessment? NFPA 780 type of stuff. I heard at one point that it's often required as part of Owner's insurance terms. But is that true? If it's not part of an owner's insurance, there's no requirement to do one?

I'm often on the contractor side of the table and it will be a requirement given to us from the owner to perform this assessment. Sitting on the other side of the table (owner side), I was asked if we need to do a lightning risk assessment and when it is required. Since the only answer I knew was "if the owner requires it", I had a little bit of the 'deer in headlights' look.

 

[ron]

If the owner requires it is correct. Sometimes it may be from their insurance company and sometimes just from their facility standards.

In my experience, the risk assessment never shows no risk, so it is required if the owner wants it because it is a risk / reward decision for the short / long term budget.