Lightning - containing the threat
December 2003
Electrical Power & Protection
Lightning events are one of the major threats to our commercial/industrial as well as domestic environment. Every year, many millions of rands worth of direct and indirect damage is experienced through lightning events, the damage may be structural, or plant and equipment - resulting in plant downtime, not to mention the potential danger of personal injuries that may be sustained.
It is important to realise that lightning protection is essentially a risk management procedure. Whilst no guarantees of absolute protection against this natural phenomenon can be offered by any protection system, well designed and appropriate lightning protection systems can and will significantly reduce the risks of damage or injury associated with lightning events.
This is according to Ian McKechnie, managing director of Centurion-based specialist consulting engineers and solution providers Innopro. McKechnie adds that companies such as Innopro, with specialised expertise in the field of earthing and lightning protection, can provide their clients with a valuable impartial and independent expert service in this area. The company can provide clients with investigation services on existing installations, coupled with the design of appropriate and cost effective remedial measures. They can also provide designs in respect of new installations, industrial plants, buildings and other structures. These designs and remedial actions can then be used and implemented directly by appropriate in-house client personnel, or can be competitively quoted or tendered for as defined and measurable requirements, again ensuring the client a cost-effective, appropriate and measurable solution.
Many companies and organisations have experienced lightning related problems in the past lightning season. With the new lightning season upon us, it is essential for infrastructure owners and operators to assess the existing problem areas and take appropriate remedial action.
Innopro is a specialist consulting engineering company and solution provider, specialising in the areas of industrial EMC, earthing and lightning protection. Operating from Centurion, clients are serviced locally, nationally and internationally, in a variety of industry sectors including aviation, petrochemical, telecommunications, IT and general industrial infrastructure.
For more information contact Ian McKechnie, managing director, Innopro, 012 667 5151, innopro@gafrica.com
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