InspectAPedia ^®

This article cites further opinions on what to do to reduce the chances of personal injury by lightning during a storm - how to avoid being struck by lightning while outdoors near a river. This website describes common lightning protection systems, certification, installation, and lightning protection system inspection. We provide information about lightning strikes, lightning hazards, related equipment, sources of lightning protection system installers, and lightning strike risk assessment

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Lightning Strike Catastrophes for Small Boats on Open Water

Stay off of open water: OPINION by DF: Living on the Rappahannock river in Virginia, we had heard of people who were killed by lighting. A case close to home and involving the speedboat shown here ended in tragedy in 1950 [the photograph was taken in 1949]: a neighbor who had purchased my dad's Higgins speedboat came to take delivery. The new owner was excited about the Higgins' reputation for speed and handling. Higgins was an early plywood-hulled inboard-motor speedboat made famous by its larger cousins such as the PT109. The boater, who lived across the river, ignored Dad's advice that he wait with us until a rapidly-approaching storm had passed. Instead the new owner, in a rush to get his new boat home and proud of its speed, insisted on making a dash across the wide river. We watched him cast off and we also watched a wall of rain and storm rush up the river from the Chesapeake bay. He disappeared from view, roaring East into a wall of black storm front. The neighbor was never found. Charred portions of the boat were found floating in a freshwater creek across the river on the following day, and it was believed he was struck by lightning while on the water.

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

Search InspectAPedia

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR
GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS
What is Lightning?
Lightning Protection Systems Defined
How do Lightning Systems Work?
Damaged, Unsafe Lightning Systems
Lightning Protection Certification
Outdoor Lightning Protection Design
Lightning Protection for Trees
Hidden Lightning Protection Design
Lightning Strike Risk Assessment
How to Avoid Being Struck by Lightning
Lightning Strikes Small Boat
WIND TURBINES

• Portions of this information are based on UL publication 200-81 11/87 and other local service company information about lightning protection systems and lightning strike hazards.
• Special thanks to Associated Lightning Rod Company, Cooper Road Box 329A, Millerton NY who has been contributing technical content in presentations to NY ASHI home inspectors since 1996. Some of that information [on lightning system material and installation details] was edited for clarity. ALRCi can be reached at 518-789-4603, 845-373-8309, 860-364-1498 and will inspect your lightning protection system at no charge. [We have no financial nor any other business relationship with any company or product discussed at this website--DF]
• For more details on how lightning protection systems work, see Lightning Protection from Pacific Electric and Gas Company, and Electrical System Grounding and Lightning Protection, Engineering Technical Letter 90-6, Department of the Air Force, HQ USAF.
• Lightning strike risk assessment: for the full body of this excellent article which summarizes recent opinions about lightning strike risk assessment and safe practices for individuals or groups needing to avoid being struck by lightning, see Updated Recommendations for Lightning Safety - 1998 Ronald L. Holle and Raul E. Lopez from National Severe Storms Laboratory, NOAA and Norman, Oklahoma, Christoph Zimmermann Global Atmospherics, Inc. Tucson, Arizona
• As we indicated in an original version of this article, a lightning strike risk assessment guide can be found in Appendix I of the National Fire Protection Association's Lightning Protection Code, NFPA #780. The guide considers type of structure, type of construction, structure location, topography, occupancy, contents and lightning frequency. Contact NFPA, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 617-770-3000.
• Lightning Protection Institute, 3365 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Suite J., Arlington Heights IL 60004
• Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL96A. These requirements cover the installation of lightning protection systems on all types of structures other than structures used for the production, handling, or storage of ammunition, explosives, flammable liquids or gases, and other explosive ingredients including dust. These requirements apply to lightning protection systems that are complete and cover all parts of a structure. Partial systems are not covered by this standard. These requirements do not cover the installation of lightning protection systems for electrical generating, distribution, or transmission systems. These requirements do not cover lightning protection components, which are covered by the Standard for Lightning Protection Components, UL 96.
• Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL96: These requirements cover lightning protection components for use in the installation of complete systems of lightning protection on buildings and structures. These requirements do not cover the installation of lightning protection components. Products of this type are covered by the Standard for Installation Requirements for Lightning Protection Systems, UL 96A.
• "Lightning Awareness," Gerry Schulte, BMW ON magazine, June 2007 pp. 58-60, provided some technical details about lightning, and refers readers to www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outdoors.htm

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
• Armor Lightning Protection Inc Manchester Center, VT, 802-375-0266 state-of-the-art lightning protection and surge protection for residential and commercial buildings in Vermont, New England, and throughout the Northeast
• Associated Lightning Rod Company, Inc., Box 329A, Cooper Road, Millerton, NY 12546 914/373-8309 518/789-4603
• A-C Lightning Security, Inc., 2100 East First St., PO Box 329, Maryville MO 64468 816-582-8115 800-821-5575 816-562-2932. In New York, Hudson Valley, contact Christensen Electrical Power Systems, Richard G. Christensen, 518-537-4128.
• Lightning Eliminators & Consultants 6687 Arapahoe Road Boulder, CO 80303 (303) 447-2828. "Engineering Solutions For Lightning, Grounding and Surge Protection Worldwide Since 1971"
• Electrical EINET
• Lightning Protection for Facilities, Dr. Bruce Gabrielson, Robert B. Marcus, Published and presented: EMCEXPO92, Washington D.C.
• MIT's Electrical Safety Files
• Lightning Protection for Workers What to Do if You're Outside in a Lightning Storm - Center to Protect Workers' Rights (PDF)
• 1998 and Current Lightning Protection Conferences & Exhibitions
• Lightning Risk and Hazard Analysis Measurement from the National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI).
• "Lightning Fatalities, Injuries, and Damage Reports in the United States from 1959-1994", E. Brian Curran, Ronald L. Holle, Raul E. Lopez, NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS SR-193 October 1997
• UL - Underwriters Labs Lightning equipment certification program. "Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has been testing and certifying lightning protection equipment since 1908. UL issues certificates of conformance for systems, inspecting system components and checking completed installations. Installations are required to comply with UL's internationally recognized Standards for lightning protection systems. Manufacturers, suppliers and installers demonstrate their commitment to safety by building, selling and installing only those lightning protection products that pass UL's rigorous testing." -- (Op.Cit.)
  
• * Safety Hazards and Safe Inspection Procedures for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
• Aluminum Wiring Information Website Aluminum Electrical Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth authoritative info, photos, documents including selection of proper vs. ineffective repair methods. E.g.: Ideal 65 "Twister" purple connector fails in field and lab testing with aluminum wire.
• Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in Buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
• Lightning Strike Risk Assessment, Protection Systems & Services
• Multi-wire branch circuit inspection and defects
• Rust and Corrosion in Electrical Panels, A Study and Report on Frequency and Cause for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
• Directory of Home Inspectors accessible via internet
• Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Detection, Cause, Remedy, Prevention - Main Electrical Page
• ...

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting