Contact LLP to arrange a survey or consultation to learn how a NFPA 780-compliant lightning protection system can help protect your home or business from nature’s leading fire threat.
When it comes to lightning and fire safety, it’s important to understand the risks to life and property. But more importantly, it’s critical to understand how to minimize those risks. Enter NFPA 780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems—also known as the industry benchmark document for helping to safeguard lives and property from fire and related dangers associated with lightning events.
Over the years, Loehr Lightning Protection has shared a wealth of information about NFPA 780. Despite the abundance of information we’ve shared, LLP continues to field questions about standard resources, code clarifications and technical interpretations. To close out National Fire Prevention Month, LLP is recapping a few fundamentals to help you better understand the Safety Standard that sets the quality standard for lightning protection design and installation.
Who is the NFPA?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) describes itself as, “a global nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.”
As a codes and standards organization, NFPA provides technical information (code and standard documents) designed to minimize the risk and effects of fire. These codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides are developed and reviewed through a consensus standards development process, represented by diverse viewpoints and interests. The NFPA’s committee process is accredited the American National Standards Institute.
What is NFPA 780?
Often considered the grandfather of lightning protection, NFPA 780 provides valuable resource information for AHJs, project designers, engineers, insurance professionals and anyone responsible for the protection of lives and property from dangers associated with lightning. NFPA also serves as the basis for the LPI-175 Standard of Practice for the Design-Installation-Inspection of Lightning Protection Systems reference document, which is commonly used by LPI-certified lightning protection designers and installers and LPI-IP inspectors. NFPA 780 covers lightning protection system installation requirements for structures, watercraft, wind turbines, industrial stacks, and other special occupancies. Lightning protection guidance for new construction and building trends (including solar systems, arrays, catenary systems, airfield lighting, rooftop equipment) are also addressed, with new information and sections added to the Standard in conjunction with the three-year review process. Information added to the 2023 edition of NFPA 780 to address new safety challenges includes:
- Additional requirements for lightning protection for additions to a protected structure
- Revised definitions for surge protective devices, surge arrestors, and surge protectors, with proper terms corrected throughout the Standard
- Added criteria citing prescriptive and performance for surge protective devices (SPD’s)
- New definitions for LPS connectors to help clarify the proper application of NFPA 780 connector requirements
- New requirements for protecting tank batteries
When did NFPA 780 originate?
The NFPA first adopted “Specifications for Protection of Buildings Against Lightning” in 1905. Revised editions of the early code (and subsequent standard) continued to be adopted by NFPA throughout the century. In 1992 the numerical designation of the document was changed from “78″ to “780” and the name “Lightning Protection Code” was revised to “Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems” to conform with the NFPA’s routine method of naming documents. Since NFPA 780 contains installation requirements, it is more appropriately termed an installation “standard” rather than a “code.”
Why is it needed?
NFPA 780 is the principal lightning protection Standard in the U.S. and a primary implementing document for the IEC 62305 (International Electrotechnical Commission) series of documents. NFPA 780 also provides the foundation for numerous specialized lightning protection documents for organizations such as the DOD, DOE, NASA and the FAA. Prior to the development of the IEC series, NFPA 780 was routinely referenced and used worldwide.
Where can I find it?
The 2023 Edition of NFPA 780, prepared by the Technical Committee on Lightning Protection, was issued by the Standards Council and as such was approved as the updated version of this American National Standard. The 2023 document can be viewed online at: https://www.nfpa.org/product/nfpa-780-standard/p0780code
Curious about the How?
Need more information? Contact LLP to arrange a survey or consultation to learn how a NFPA 780-compliant lightning protection system can help protect your home or business from nature’s leading fire threat.
NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922. The campaign is the longest-running public health observance in the U.S., notable for providing lifesaving public education that’s helped to drastically reduce casualties and property losses caused by fires.