How to Protect Your Commercial Property from Lightning Damage
- stephen7705
- May 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 18
Lightning is one of the most underestimated threats to commercial properties. With the power to rip through roofs, ignite fires, and destroy electrical systems in seconds, lightning strikes can cause significant property damage, operational downtime, and even injury or death.
At Risk Assured, we help businesses mitigate lightning risks through proactive planning and protective system design. In this post, you’ll learn how to reduce lightning-related damage with proven strategies and code-compliant safety systems.
The Real Risk of Lightning Strikes for Businesses
Contrary to popular belief, lightning can and does strike the same place multiple times. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), lightning causes hundreds of non-residential structure fires each year. For example:
In 2014, lightning caused 1,400 non-home structure fires, resulting in $65 million in property damage
In 2012, lightning-related structure fires reached $108 million in damages and four fatalities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also highlights that lightning-related workplace injuries are especially common in states like Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Lightning strikes are most frequent in July, but can happen year-round across all regions of the United States.
How Lightning Damages Commercial Properties
Lightning poses multiple threats, including:
Power surges that damage electrical wiring, IT equipment, HVAC systems, and connected appliances
Fires started by high-voltage strikes
Structural damage to roofing, walls, and building systems
Injury or death to staff and visitors if protective systems are not in place
Without adequate lightning protection, a single storm can cost your business thousands—or even force a shutdown.
Install a Lightning Protection System (LPS) for Commercial Property
A Lightning Protection System (LPS) is your best defense against direct and indirect lightning strikes. These systems are engineered to safely channel the electrical energy away from your structure and into the ground.
Core Components of a Lightning Protection System:
Air Terminals (Lightning Rods): Capture the lightning strike before it can reach the building
Conductors (Wires): Carry the electrical charge safely toward the ground
Ground Rods: Disperse the charge safely into the earth
Surge Protection Devices (SPDs): Prevent power surges from damaging electrical systems, phone lines, and data networks
A properly installed system does not attract lightning—it intercepts it and safely redirects the energy.
Follow Industry Standards for Lightning Protection
For maximum safety and code compliance, your lightning protection system should follow nationally recognized standards:
Working with certified professionals ensures your system is designed and installed to the highest safety benchmarks.
Lightning Protection Is Critical Infrastructure
Whether you're managing a retail center, industrial warehouse, school, or office building, lightning protection should be part of your overall risk management and facility maintenance strategy.
Additional Lightning Risk Mitigation Tips:
Perform regular inspections of grounding and surge protection systems
Ensure roof-mounted equipment is properly grounded
Train facility staff on emergency protocols during lightning events
Update insurance policies to reflect coverage for lightning-related damages
Conclusion: Protect Your Property, Protect Your People
Lightning protection is more than just risk reduction—it’s a business continuity strategy. With proper systems in place, you can prevent fires, protect expensive equipment, and avoid unnecessary downtime during storm season.
At Risk Assured, we help commercial property owners assess vulnerabilities and implement lightning protection systems that meet NFPA, UL, and LPI standards.
Contact us today to schedule a lightning risk assessment or discuss your protection plan.
⚡ FAQ: How to Protect Your Commercial Property from Lightning Damage
1) Why is lightning protection important for commercial properties?
Lightning strikes can cause fires, electrical surges, data loss, and structural damage. A well-designed lightning protection system (LPS) safeguards buildings, equipment, and occupants—minimizing repair costs and downtime.
2) What types of damage can lightning cause to commercial buildings?
Lightning can trigger fires, electrical system failures, power surges, equipment destruction, and data corruption. It can also damage roofs, antennas, and building envelopes through direct or nearby strikes.
3) How does a lightning protection system work?
An LPS channels electrical energy safely to the ground using air terminals (lightning rods), conductors, and grounding systems. This prevents lightning current from passing through the building’s structure or wiring.
4) What are the main components of a lightning protection system?
An effective LPS includes air terminals, down conductors, ground electrodes, and surge protection devices (SPDs)—all designed to intercept, conduct, and safely disperse lightning energy.
5) How can businesses protect their electronic equipment from lightning strikes?
Install surge protectors, use uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and ensure proper grounding. Sensitive equipment such as servers and control systems should be protected with industrial-grade surge suppression.
6) How often should lightning protection systems be inspected?
Lightning protection systems should be professionally inspected every 12 months, and after any major storm, renovation, or equipment upgrade that may affect system grounding.
7) Are lightning protection systems required by building codes or insurers?
In many regions, NFPA 780 and UL 96A standards govern LPS design and installation. Some insurers and local jurisdictions mandate lightning protection for critical infrastructure, data centers, and high-occupancy buildings.
8) How can businesses minimize lightning-related fire risk?
Ensure the building’s roofing materials are fire-resistant, maintain proper grounding, and keep flammable items away from electrical systems. Regular inspections and updated LPS systems reduce fire hazards.
9) What should property managers do after a lightning strike?
Evacuate the building if fire or electrical hazards are suspected, disconnect damaged systems, and schedule professional inspections to assess hidden structural or electrical damage.
10) How does Risk Assured help commercial property owners mitigate lightning risk?
Risk Assured provides engineering-based lightning risk assessments, system design reviews, and compliance audits to help property owners prevent damage, reduce insurance exposure, and ensure code compliance.
