Is Metal Roofs Prone To Lightning Strikes

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.

Is metal roofs prone to lightning strikes.

Metal roofing materials are non combustible so if a metal roof does get struck by lightning it is less likely to result in a fire than some other types of roofing materials such as cedar shakes. This may be because metal is highly conductive similar to the metal rods that are used to 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.

Metal is also a non combustible material. The common myth is that metal buildings are more prone to lightning strikes than any other type of structure. 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. There is a belief that metal roofs increase the likelihood of a lightning strike.

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. It is a false belief that metal roofs can increase the risk of a lightning strike. Metal roofs and lighting. A metal roof can protect your house from both the heat of the lightning strike and the electrical current because of its non combustible nature.

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. 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. In other words metal buildings or metal roofs are basically lightning magnets. Even so metal roofs do not attract lightning and are not struck any more frequently than other roofing materials.

Lightning produces intense heat and often this heat can cause fires on the roof or inside the house. The concern about metal roofs attracting lightning strikes is most likely associated with the fact that metal can be an electrical conductor. The metal construction association notes that metal roofs do not attract lightning. Lightning is attracted to.

There is a perception or at least a suspicion that a metal roof will increase the likelihood of lightning striking the building. It has been observed that installing a metal roof makes building owners think more about lightning and the dangers of lightning strikes.