5 BRITISH STANDARD BS 6651: 1992" Code of practice for Protection of structures against lightningBS 6651 : 1992 _—_———— Committees responsible for this British Standard ‘The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the General Electrotechnical Standards Policy Committee (GEL/-) to Technical Committee GEL/106, upon which the following bodies were represented: AEA Technology Association of Consulting Engineers Association of Manufacturers Allied to the Electrical and Electronic Industry (BEAMA Ltd.) British Broadcasting Corporation British Gas ple British Telecoramunications ple Cathedrals Advisory Commission for England Council for the Care of Churches Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency) ERA Technology Ltd. Electricity Association Engineering Equipment and Materials Users’ Association Home Office Institution of Electrical Engineers National Federation of Master Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers jonal Radiological Protection Board National Transcommunications Ltd. ‘This British Standard, having hheen prepared under the ddzection of the General Electrotechnical Seandards Policy Committee, was published under the authority ot the Standards Board and ‘comes into effect on 15 December 1092 Amendments issued since publication © st 1992. es Amd. No. [Date Text affected Fist published November 1985, Second edition July 1080 ‘Third edition December 1972 ‘he following BSI references telate wo the work om this standart, Committee reference GBI. 106 Draft for comment 91/2878 D> ISBN 0 580 21322 6Contents Committees responsible Foreword Code of practice Section one. General 0 Introduction 1 Scope 2 Definitions and abbreviations 3 Technical aspects of lightning 4 Effects of lightning strike 5 Function of a lightning conductor 6 Materials 7 Dimensions Section two. Basic considerations 8 General 9 Need for protection 10 Zone of protection Section three, System design 11. General considerations 12 Consultation 13 Component parts 14 Air terminations 15 Down conductors 16 Earth termination network 17 Earth electrodes 18 Metal in or on a structure 19 Structures exceeding 20 m in height 20 Structures with roofs of high flammability 21. Buildings with explosive or highty flammable contents 22 Dwelling houses 23 Fences 24 Trees and structures near trees 25 Structures with radio and television aerials 26 Miscellaneous structures 27 Corrosion Section four. Construction sites 28 Structures 29 Overhead power lines ‘Section five. Inspection, testing and records 30 Inspection 31 Testing 32 Records Section six. 33 Maintenance at d upkeep “Appendices A Explanator + . a 0. some of the recormentis:iows ef thie ~ade B Giitance or e.mn!"~tI0n of BS 6651 © Genera’ ec: t+ oF 2 otection of siectronic -aipme ¢'thin oF oF; structures * irs. ligss1ing Page Inside front cover 3 70 70 70 n 72 7 "1 BS 6651 : 1992 Tables 1 Recommended fixing centres for conductors 2 Recommended materials for the manufacture of lightning protection components 3 Some characteristics of typical materials listed intable 2 4 Minimum dimensions of component parts 5 Minimum thicknesses of sheet metal used for roofing and forming part of the air termination network 6 Relationship between thunderstorm days per Year and lightning flashes per km? per year 7 Comparative probability of death for an individual per year of exposure 8 Weighting factor A (use of structure) 9 Weighting factor B (type of construction) }0 Weighting factor C (contents or consequential effects) 11. Weighting factor D (degree of isolation) 12 Weighting factor E (type of terrain) 13 Examples of calculations for evaluating the need for protection 14 Relationship between diameter and mass of electrodes 16 Effective collection area of mains services 16 Effective collection area of data lines 17 Weighting factor F (type of construction) 18 Weighting factor G (degree of 21 Classification of exposure level 22 Location category A (mains) 23 Location category B (mains) 24 Location category C (mains) 25 Location category C (data lines) 26 Definitions of the waveshape parameters 1.2/50 ps Figures Number of lightning flashes to the ground per km? per year for the UK 2 Typical designs for lightning conductor fixings 3 Map showing thunderstorm days per year throughout the world 4 Details of structures and collection areas 5 Examples of lightning protection systems for brick chimneys 6 Protective angles and zones of protection for various forms of air termination 7 Examples of air terminations and down ‘conductors usin, handrails, metal copings and reinforcing bars 8 Test joints 9 Typical forms of vertical sir terminations 10 Air ‘erminations for a ‘ie root 11 Air terminations for flat roots at diferent levels 12 Al terminations for large areas of root of various profiler Page 10 n 2 13 SSSSFRELRBEN g 20 21 2 28 27 2B 28 30