000000
Lightning Risk Assessment from NFPA # 780 - 2008 edition
Replace values in blue with appropriate numbers
(Values in red are calculations - DO NOT DISTURB)
Building Dimensions
(for a rectangular structure in feet) conversion
Length = 100 ft. 30.5 m
Width = 50 ft. 15.2 m
Height = 60 ft. 18.3 m
Yearly average flash density (from map on Tab 2 )
Ng = 6
Table C1 - Environmental Coefficient
Relative Structure Location
Structure located within a space contain-
ing structures or trees of the same height 0.25
or taller within a distance of 3 H
Structure surrounded by smaller struct- 180 ft. = 3 H
ures within a distance of 3 H 0.5 54.86 m = 3 H
Isolated structure, no other structures
located within a distance of 3 H 1.0
Isolated structure on a hilltop 2.0
C1 = 1
Table C2 - Structural Materials Coefficient Roof
Structural Framing Metal Nonmetallic
Flammable
Metal 0.5 1.0 2.0
Nonmetallic 1.0 1.0 2.5
Flammable 2.0 2.5 3.0
C2 = 1
Table C3 - Structure Contents Coefficient
Structure Contents
Low value and nonflammable 0.5
Standard value and nonflammable 1.0
High value, moderate flammability 2.0
Exceptional value, flammable,
computer or electronics 3.0
Exceptional value, irreplaceable
cultural items 4.0
C3 = 2
Table C4 - Structure Occupancy Coefficient
Structure Occupancy
Unoccupied 0.5
Normally occupied 1.0
Difficult to evacuate or risk of panic 3.0
C4 = 1
Table C5 - Lightning Consequence Coefficient
Lightning Consequence
Continuity of facility services not
required, no environmental impact 1.0
Continuity of facility services required,
000000
no environmental impact 5.0
Consequences to the environment 10.0
C5 = 1
Data Input equations Computation Results
Equivalent collective area L= 30.48
Ae=(LW)+6H(L+W)+(pi)(9)(Hsq.) W= 15.24
(for a rectangular structure) H= 18.29 Ae= 14937.66 in sq. m
Hsq= 334.45 0.01494 in sq. km
Expected lightning stroke frequency Ng= 6
to the structure Ae= 0.01494 Nd= 0.08963
Nd=(Ng)(Ae)(C1) C1= 1
Tolerable lightning frequency to the C2= 1
structure C3= 2
Nc=(1.5x0.001)/C C4= 1 Nc= 0.00075
where C=(C2)(C3)(C4)(C5) C5= 1
C= 2
If Nd < or = Nc, an LPS may be optional
If Nd > Nc, an LPS should be installed Comparison Answer = SHOULD BE INSTALLED
000000
Lightning Risk Assessment from NFPA # 780 - 2008 edition
Replace values in blue with appropriate numbers
(Values in red are calculations - DO NOT DISTURB)
Building Dimensions
(for a rectangular structure in meters)
Length = 20 m
Width = 20 m
Height = 10 m
Yearly average flash density from map on Tab 2
(flashes / sq. km / year) Ng = 4
Table C1 - Environmental Coefficient
Relative Structure Location
Structure located within a space contain-
ing structures or trees of the same height 0.25
or taller within a distance of 3 H
Structure surrounded by smaller struct- 30 m = 3 H
ures within a distance of 3 H 0.5
Isolated structure, no other structures
located within a distance of 3 H 1.0
Isolated structure on a hilltop 2.0
C1 = 0.5
Table C2 - Structural Materials Coefficient Roof
Structural Framing Metal NonmetallicFlammable
Metal 0.5 1.0 2.0
Nonmetallic 1.0 1.0 2.5
Flammable 2.0 2.5 3.0
C2 = 1
Table C3 - Structure Contents Coefficient
Structure Contents
Low value and nonflammable 0.5
Standard value and nonflammable 1.0
High value, moderate flammability 2.0
Exceptional value, flammable,
computer or electronics 3.0
Exceptional value, irreplaceable
cultural items 4.0
C3 = 0.5
Table C4 - Structure Occupancy Coefficient
Structure Occupancy
Unoccupied 0.5
Normally occupied 1.0
Difficult to evacuate or risk of panic 3.0
C4 = 0.5
Table C5 - Lightning Consequence Coefficient
Lightning Consequence
Continuity of facility services not
required, no environmental impact 1.0
Continuity of facility services required,
no environmental impact 5.0
000000
Consequences to the environment 10.0
C5 = 1
Data Input equations Computation Results
Equivalent collective area L= 20
Ae=(LW)+6H(L+W)+(pi)(9)(Hsq.) W= 20
(for a rectangular structure) H= 10 Ae= 5627.43 in sq. m
Hsq= 100 0.00563 in sq. km
Expected lightning stroke frequency Ng= 4
to the structure Ae= 0.00563 Nd= 0.01125
Nd=(Ng)(Ae)(C1) C1= 0.5
Tolerable lightning frequency to the C2= 1
structure C3= 0.5
Nc=(1.5x0.001)/C C4= 0.5 Nc= 0.006
where C=(C2)(C3)(C4)(C5) C5= 1
C= 0.25
If Nd < or = Nc, an LPS may be optional
If Nd > Nc, an LPS should be installed Comparison Answer = SHOULD BE INSTALLE
