Lightning protection at onshore hazardous installations

Summary

This document provides guidance on the expected standard for lightning protection at hazardous installations.

Introduction

A lightning strike at a major hazard installation can be an initiating event for a major accident.

Lightning protection concepts, such as equipotential bonding and earthing of metallic structures, are often inherent in the design of process plant. The likelihood of a major accident being initiated by a lightning strike at a well designed and maintained hazardous installation is, therefore, low so Inspectors must act proportionately to focus on those major hazard installations where reasonably foreseeable risk remains.

Action

Inspectors should:

Background

For the purpose of the Enforcement Management Model, this guidance is an interpretative standard

Relevant good practice is provided by the BS EN 62305 series of standards, Protection against lightning. It provides a process for analysing risk and provides information for the design, installation, inspection, maintenance and testing of Lightning Protection Systems and Surge Suppression Measures. In parts, it is a technical standard that addresses a wide range of harm. It can result in a complex assessment of risk, however, established engineered measures exist that, if applied, may obviate the need for such an assessment.

Organisation

Targeting

Onshore major hazard installations.

Timing

Ongoing.

Resources

To be used by HID EC&I Specialist Inspectors during established intervention processes.

Recording & Reporting

No special requirements.

Health & Safety

No special requirements.

Diversity

No special requirements.

Further References

Relevant Acts and Regulations

Relevant Good Practice

Contacts

HID Chemicals, Explosives and Microbiological Hazards Division 2E Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Team

Appendices

Updated 2020-12-15