Facilities and Assets Covered
Server halls and network rooms
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
UPS and battery rooms
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Generator and transformer buildings
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
NOC, SOC and control facilities
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
BMS, fire alarm and access control
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Telecom carrier entries
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Cooling and rooftop equipment
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Why Protection Is Critical
High availability and low downtime tolerance
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Multiple power and telecom entries
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Layered SPD coordination
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Rack and structural bonding
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Post-event inspection and documentation
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Sector Design Philosophy
The protection strategy should combine external lightning interception, down-conductor routing, earth termination, equipotential bonding and coordinated SPDs. The selected system must follow the current project specification, site conditions and authority requirements.
Engineering Design Workflow
1. Site Data
Collect drawings, dimensions, roof levels, coordinates, occupancy, critical equipment, hazardous classification and incoming services.
2. Risk Review
Evaluate strike exposure, local lightning activity, consequences of failure, fire risk, service continuity and project requirements.
3. System Selection
Select ESE or conventional IEC 62305 route only where accepted by the project specification.
4. External LPS
Define air termination, masts, down conductors, bonding and earth termination.
5. Internal Protection
Coordinate Type 1, Type 2 and signal-line SPDs with the electrical distribution and lightning protection zones.
6. Documentation
Prepare calculations, layouts, BOQ, technical specifications, method statement, test records and as-built drawings.
Typical BOQ
| Item | Description | Quantity Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Air termination | ESE terminal or conventional rods/mesh as specified | Coverage and roof geometry |
| Mast/support | GI/SS mast, brackets, base or guying | Mechanical and wind-load design |
| Down conductor | Specified conductor, holders and test joints | Measured route and number of paths |
| Earthing | Electrodes, conductors, chambers and bonding | Soil study and earthing design |
| SPDs | Power and signal-line surge protection | Panel and circuit survey |
| Services | Installation, testing, commissioning and documentation | Complete project |
Inspection, Maintenance and AMC
Visual Inspection
Check terminals, masts, conductors, joints, labels, supports, corrosion and mechanical damage.
Electrical Testing
Verify continuity, bonding, earth-system performance and SPD status using appropriate test methods.
Post-Strike Review
Inspect after a recorded event, severe storm, roof alteration or electrical modification.
AMC Documentation
Maintain inspection reports, earth-test records, event-counter readings, photographs and corrective-action BOQ.