Join the MRA | Member Login
Find a Professional
Sign Up Log In Add New Topic

TOPIC: Lightning

Lightning and Metal Roof

Return to Lightning

Return to Archive

Return to Forum

Souldn't I be concerned about lightning with metal roof. How would I ensure that if I get metal roof instaleld, how can I protect my home for lightning. Thansk for advise.
Guest User

9/11/2002
Souldn't I be concerned about lightning with metal roof. How would I ensure that if I get metal roof instaleld, how can I protect my home for lightning. Thansk for advise.
Guest User

9/11/2002
Souldn't I be concerned about lightning with metal roof. How would I ensure that if I get metal roof instaleld, how can I protect my home for lightning. Thansk for advise.
Guest User

9/11/2002
When lightning strikes, it chooses the fastest path to ground. For that reason, lightning is typically striking the highest object in an area, regardless of that object's composition. While metal conducts electricity, it does not "draw" lightning. Documents put out by the Metal Construction Association and other groups, as well as numerous magazine articles over the years, have concluded that there is not an increased risk of lightning strike with a metal roof. If the house is the highest object in an area, then it is at risk of a lightning strike and it makes no difference what type of roof it has. It is wise in all cases, though, to make sure that all plumbing pipes and electrical conduits coming through the roof meet current building codes and are non-metallic. That way, if the home is struck, there is little chance of the charge being carried into the structure. If someone chooses to have a metal roof grounded or have lightning protection installed, that can be done through any qualified lightning protection contractor.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/11/2002