How to Protect Your Commercial Property from Lightning Damage
- stephen7705
- May 9
- 3 min read
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 RiskAssured, 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)
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 RiskAssured, 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.
