Is your church or heritage building ready for the storms?

Churches have always suffered form the effects of lightning. Golde (1977), for example, notes that the campanile of San Marco in Venice was struck and severely damaged or completely destroyed nine times between 1388 and 1762.

Even in an era when skyscrapers and cell towers overshadow the tallest church steeple, it’s crucial for churches to be intentional about lightning protection. A single lightning strike can not only sear church roofs and steeples, but it can also ruin computers, sound systems, alarms, and other electronics.

While you can’t prevent lightning, proper protection can help your ministry and avoid many risks associated with it.

One lightning strike can carry enough electricity to power 10 million homes for one month. Plus, it’s fast. The average lightning bolt can span 3,700 miles in one second.)

Consider the damage that lightning can cause:

• Fires: Thirty percent of church fires are caused by direct strikes to the building.
• Explosions: When lightning penetrates through a chimney or a steeple, an explosion can accompany fire.
• Structural damage: A single strike is powerful enough to break through structural brick or concrete. Roofs and windows in lightning’s path can tear away or shatter.

Many churches don’t realize they could be affected a great deal. That’s why we they should invest in a lightning protection system.

When it comes to lightning protection, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Installers design a protection system unique to each building, based on lightning frequency, the size of the structure, and its contents. Usually churches install a lightning protection system after they have been hit, But installing one sooner rather than later almost entirely removes the risk from your ministry.

To ensure that your lightning protection system meets safety standards, hire a professional electrical contractor to install it. Professionals are trained to assess your situation and can answer any questions about how to best protect your building from lightning.

To find a qualified installer in your area, you can refer to the ATLAS website http://www.atlas.org.uk/