Is Metal Roofs Prone To Lightning Strikes

In other words metal buildings or metal roofs are basically lightning magnets.

Is metal roofs prone to lightning strikes.

There is a belief that metal roofs increase the likelihood of a lightning strike. Metal is also a non combustible material. In reality when lightning strikes it is seeking a path to ground and almost always will strike whatever object is highest in the area that also has a direct path to ground. There is a perception or at least a suspicion that a metal roof will increase the likelihood of lightning striking the building.

Extensive research on lightning protection reveals that metal roofing is no more likely to attract a lightning strike than any other type of conventional roofing material. The misconception that metal roofs attract lightning is probably because metal itself is known as a good conductor of electricity and people therefore assume that a metal roof must attract lightning. Lightning occurs on too large of a scale to be influenced by small objects on the ground including metal objects. Metal roofing is perfectly safe.

While a building s structural steel will conduct lightning it is the bonding interconnection and grounding provided by a lightning protection system lps that will dissipate lightning s harmful electricity safely to the ground. It is a false belief that metal roofs can increase the risk of a lightning strike. Metal roofs are no more attractive to lightning than any other type of roofing material. Metal roofs and lighting.

Lightning produces intense heat and often this heat can cause fires on the roof or inside the house. The metal construction association notes that metal roofs do not attract lightning. Even so metal roofs do not attract lightning and are not struck any more frequently than other roofing materials. After all metal is highly conductive just like the materials used in lightning rods that are used to attract lightning strikes so doesn t it stand to reason that the metal roof will attract lightning too.

It has been observed that installing a metal roof makes building owners think more about lightning and the dangers of lightning strikes. Lightning is attracted to. It does not attract any extra attention from lightning and just like buildings constructed with traditional building materials any electricity from a lightning strike will will be safely transferred to the ground below so occupants will be unaffected. The common myth is that metal buildings are more prone to lightning strikes than any other type of structure.

In fact as a non combustible material with the highest class a fire resistance rating metal roofing is the most desirable material for homes and businesses in lightning prone regions. This may be because metal is highly conductive similar to the metal rods that are used to attract lightning.