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The art and science of lightning protection is a specialty niche. From our experiences, SLP has noticed that electrical engineers typically need to be better versed in general LPS. Architects design something unique and appealing with their vision in mind. The LPS frequently gets value engineered from the scope due to cost or the fear that an LPS system may diminish the desired aesthetics. LPS is not the prettiest thing, but there are ways to hide many components if designed adequately and early in the project process.
The art and science of lightning protection is a specialty niche. From our experiences, SLP has noticed that electrical engineers typically need to be better versed in general LPS. Architects design something unique and appealing with their vision in mind. The LPS frequently gets value engineered from the scope due to cost or the fear that an LPS system may diminish the desired aesthetics. LPS is not the prettiest thing, but there are ways to hide many components if designed adequately and early in the project process.
How do you determine if you need LPS? What do you do when you look for an LPS contractor? If you ask an LPS installer if you need LPS, there is a great chance the answer will be yes. Have you done any business with the contractor previously? Unless you are a builder, an LPS hire is a one-and-done encounter.
How do you determine if you need LPS? What do you do when you look for an LPS contractor? If you ask an LPS installer if you need LPS, there is a great chance the answer will be yes. Have you done any business with the contractor previously? Unless you are a builder, an LPS hire is a one-and-done encounter.
So, you hired an LPS installation contractor. After your LPS installation is complete, what happens next? The installation contractor will call the 3rd Party Inspection company, typically UL or LPI. The field engineer/inspector will inspect the LPS (and surge if requested on the inspection application). They’ll issue the inspection certificate to the installation contractor, who will then release a copy to you. The entire inspection process works like this. The installation contractor hired the 3rd Party inspection. Therefore, the inspector is there to “work” for the installation contractor. If there was an issue with the LPS, you’ll never know. It’s fixed in the inspector’s presence. If, at a later date, the inspectors require photo proof of the repair work.
So, you hired an LPS installation contractor. After your LPS installation is complete, what happens next? The installation contractor will call the 3rd Party Inspection company, typically UL or LPI. The field engineer/inspector will inspect the LPS (and surge if requested on the inspection application). They’ll issue the inspection certificate to the installation contractor, who will then release a copy to you. The entire inspection process works like this. The installation contractor hired the 3rd Party inspection. Therefore, the inspector is there to “work” for the installation contractor. If there was an issue with the LPS, you’ll never know. It’s fixed in the inspector’s presence. If, at a later date, the inspectors require photo proof of the repair work.
The SLP solutions are simple. We can help assess your structure to see what type of LPS (if any) suits your needs. LPS is a basis-by-basis item. We’ll help you decide if you need LPS only, surge protection only, or both. If LPS is required, what kind is necessary: traditional LPS, a streamer delaying system, or an early stream emission system? We are here to work directly with you. We offer solutions to bridge the gap between architects, engineers, contractors, and owners (or AHJ-authority having jurisdiction).
The SLP solutions are simple. We can help assess your structure to see what type of LPS (if any) suits your needs. LPS is a basis-by-basis item. We’ll help you decide if you need LPS only, surge protection only, or both. If LPS is required, what kind is necessary: traditional LPS, a streamer delaying system, or an early stream emission system? We are here to work directly with you. We offer solutions to bridge the gap between architects, engineers, contractors, and owners (or AHJ-authority having jurisdiction).
We’ll help review the submitted shop drawings and recommend changes if we see fit. We understand that LPS is a specialty niche, as mentioned previously. Electrical engineers typically are not as versed in LPS for that reason. We can help with the spec/scope before the project goes out to bidders. We can help select LPS installation contractors. We have a network of LPS contractors throughout the years. We can connect you with a local contractor. Someone we recommend, at worst, possibly steer you away from particular contractors. The inspection process removes you from the picture. If I conduct the inspection, you’ll know about the findings. We are there to work for you, not the LPS contractor. There’s nothing wrong with correcting failed inspections, but if there is a reason for it. For example, something that happened during construction is something to monitor during the life of the LPS. Then, that is something you should be aware of. The following line is a pretty typical example. Did the grade calculations handed down from the GC end up being wrong? Now, your grounding isn’t as deep as expected. That’s worth knowing.
We’ll help review the submitted shop drawings and recommend changes if we see fit. We understand that LPS is a specialty niche, as mentioned previously. Electrical engineers typically are not as versed in LPS for that reason. We can help with the spec/scope before the project goes out to bidders. We can help select LPS installation contractors. We have a network of LPS contractors throughout the years. We can connect you with a local contractor. Someone we recommend, at worst, possibly steer you away from particular contractors. The inspection process removes you from the picture. If I conduct the inspection, you’ll know about the findings. We are there to work for you, not the LPS contractor. There’s nothing wrong with correcting failed inspections, but if there is a reason for it. For example, something that happened during construction is something to monitor during the life of the LPS. Then, that is something you should be aware of. The following line is a pretty typical example. Did the grade calculations handed down from the GC end up being wrong? Now, your grounding isn’t as deep as expected. That’s worth knowing.
Another example, post-installation and pre-inspection, did someone disturb the LPS? Maybe the HVAC contractor disconnected the LPS conductor from the RTU and didn’t reconnect it. That happens. Or, what if a contractor tripped on conductors and pulled them loose? These are things worth knowing to monitor the life of the LPS. Once we issue our inspection certificate, we’ll keep a record of it. We’ll reach out before expiration to see if you’d like to renew the certification. The NFPA 780 (National Fire Prevention Association's Lightning Protection Installation Standard) discusses maintenance and proper inspection routines. We can take care of this and minor repairs as needed. For more information on the inspection program, click here.
Another example, post-installation and pre-inspection, did someone disturb the LPS? Maybe the HVAC contractor disconnected the LPS conductor from the RTU and didn’t reconnect it. That happens. Or, what if a contractor tripped on conductors and pulled them loose? These are things worth knowing to monitor the life of the LPS. Once we issue our inspection certificate, we’ll keep a record of it. We’ll reach out before expiration to see if you’d like to renew the certification. The NFPA 780 (National Fire Prevention Association's Lightning Protection Installation Standard) discusses maintenance and proper inspection routines. We can take care of this and minor repairs as needed. For more information on the inspection program, click here.
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