Lightning protection systems
JW Gray is able to design and install the appropriate lightning protection system for any site. Some more complex projects require a unique approach, and we are always willing to discuss with our clients and implement any additional site-specific safety requirements.
Depending on your needs, our expert design team can provide either a standard or bespoke solution. All members of our design team are accredited by ATLAS, ensuring that you receive the correct level of protection required for your project by producing an assessment of risk. We can also offer layout drawings to meet architect, consultant and contract engineer specifications.
All our engineers are CSCS card holders and have achieved either an NVQ2 or NVQ3 qualification in lightning conductor engineering, as well as holding an SSSTS qualification.
We employ the services of an external safety consultant and, as part of our in-house quality system, we carry out a completion check on all of our installations prior to hand over.
Testing, inspection and maintenance
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that lightning protection systems are tested regularly in accordance with BS6651 or BS EN 62305. We recommend your system is tested at intervals of 11 inspection and testing months, meaning across a 12-year period your system will have been tested throughout every season of the year.
Our team of expert engineers undertakes detailed testing and inspection of completed installations. This includes verifying the installation is in accordance with the correct specification and compliant with all current legislation.
During these inspections the mechanical condition of all conductors, bonds, joints and earth electrodes should be checked and the observations noted. These periodic inspections and tests will indicate what maintenance, if any, is needed.
JW Gray’s engineers will undertake most remedial and maintenance work at virtually any height, and are trained in the safe and efficient use of the following apparatus:
- Fixed or mobile scaffolding
- MEWPs
- Cradles and ropes
- Ladders and ladder extensions
Surge Protection
For compliance with the recommendations of BSEN 62305, surge protection must be included in a lightning protection system.
Power surges or transient over-voltages can be caused in two ways: either as the secondary effect of lightning strikes up to a kilometre away, or by the electrical switching of large inductive loads, such as motors and transformers. They may last less than a millionth of a second but they are powerful and potentially highly destructive.
The level to which surge protection should be installed is determined by the results obtained from our assessment of risk, and our recommendations for the surge protection measures required are included within our quotation.
Earthing
Advice and installation are available for the following:
- Standby generators
- LV and HV supply systems
- Transformers
- Telecommunication systems