What is BS EN 62561-5-2013?

BS EN 62561-5-2013 is a technical standard that pertains to the protection against lightning - Part 5: Physical damage to structures and life hazard, also known as "Protection against lightning - Protection of structures against lightning" in layman's terms. This standard specifies the requirements for protection against physical damage to structures and risks to human life due to lightning.

Importance of BS EN 62561-5-2013

Lightning poses significant risks to both infrastructure and human lives. The purpose of this standard is to provide guidelines for the design, installation, and maintenance of lightning protection systems to minimize these risks. By adhering to the provisions outlined in BS EN 62561-5-2013, buildings can be safeguarded from potential lightning-related hazards.

The impact of lightning on structures can range from damage to electrical systems, fires, and even structural collapse. Furthermore, the electric current associated with lightning can pose a serious threat to human safety. Therefore, it is crucial to implement effective lightning protection measures, which comply with BS EN 62561-5-2013, to mitigate these risks.

Requirements set out in BS EN 62561-5-2013

BS EN 62561-5-2013 outlines various requirements for protecting structures and minimizing the associated risks. These requirements include:

Selection and installation of lightning protection systems: The standard provides criteria for selecting appropriate lightning protection systems based on the specific structure and its characteristics. It also details the correct installation procedures to ensure the system's effectiveness.

Air termination systems: BS EN 62561-5-2013 specifies requirements for the positioning and design of air terminations, which are components that intercept lightning strikes and provide a safe discharge path for the resulting electrical currents.

Down conductors: The standard defines guidelines for the installation and configuration of down conductors, which transfer the electrical energy from the air termination system to the grounding system.

Grounding systems: BS EN 62561-5-2013 outlines the necessary provisions for grounding systems, which dissipate the electrical energy safely into the ground and prevent it from causing harm to the structure or its occupants.

Bonding: The standard also covers bonding requirements, ensuring that all metallic parts of the structure are adequately interconnected to minimize potential differences and resist the effects of lightning-induced currents.

Conclusion

BS EN 62561-5-2013 plays a critical role in safeguarding structures and protecting human lives from the dangers associated with lightning strikes. Adherence to this technical standard provides a comprehensive framework for the design, installation, and maintenance of lightning protection systems. By fulfilling the requirements outlined in BS EN 62561-5-2013, buildings can effectively mitigate the risks posed by lightning, reducing physical damage and ensuring the safety of occupants.