One of the most persistent myths about metal buildings is that they attract lightning. Here is the truth about metal structures and lightning safety.
Many people believe that metal buildings are more likely to be struck by lightning because metal conducts electricity. This is one of the most common misconceptions about metal construction, and it stops some buyers from choosing steel buildings. The reality is quite different.
Lightning is not attracted to metal. Lightning strikes the tallest point in an area, regardless of what material it is made from. A wooden building, a tree, a telephone pole, and a metal building of the same height in the same location all have an equal chance of being struck.
The National Lightning Safety Institute, NOAA, and the Steel Building Institute all confirm that metal buildings are no more likely to be struck by lightning than buildings made of any other material.
Here is the part that surprises most people: in the event of a lightning strike, a metal building is actually one of the safest places to be. The metal frame acts as a Faraday cage — it conducts the electrical charge around the exterior of the building and safely into the ground, protecting the interior and anyone inside.
Compare that to a wood-frame building, where a lightning strike can ignite the structure and start a fire. Metal does not burn. A lightning strike on a metal building may cause a small scorch mark on the panel, but it will not start a fire.
While the building itself is protected, sensitive electronics inside a metal building can still be damaged by a nearby lightning strike. This is true for any building, regardless of construction material. If your metal building houses computers, audio equipment, or other sensitive electronics, use surge protectors and consider a whole-building surge suppression system.
For additional safety, metal buildings can be grounded with a grounding rod system. This is a simple installation where a copper rod is driven into the earth near the building and connected to the frame with a grounding wire. Many building codes in lightning-prone areas require this for all structures.
Metal buildings do not attract lightning, and they are among the safest structures to be inside during a thunderstorm. Do not let this myth prevent you from choosing the best building material for your project.
Have more questions? Call 833-722-7678. Our team is happy to separate fact from fiction.