Is Metal Roofs Prone To Lightning Strikes

Metal roofing is perfectly safe.

Is metal roofs prone to lightning strikes.

In other words metal buildings or metal roofs are basically lightning magnets. There is a perception or at least a suspicion that a metal roof will increase the likelihood of lightning striking the building. Even so metal roofs do not attract lightning and are not struck any more frequently than other roofing materials. The metal construction association notes that metal roofs do not attract lightning.

The concern about metal roofs attracting lightning strikes is most likely associated with the fact that metal can be an electrical conductor. The misconception that metal roofs attract lightning is probably because metal itself is known as a good conductor of electricity and people therefore assume that a metal roof must attract lightning. The common myth is that metal buildings are more prone to lightning strikes than any other type of structure. It has been observed that installing a metal roof makes building owners think more about lightning and the dangers of lightning strikes.

Metal roofing materials are non combustible so if a metal roof does get struck by lightning it is less likely to result in a fire than some other types of roofing materials such as cedar shakes. While a building s structural steel will conduct lightning it is the bonding interconnection and grounding provided by a lightning protection system lps that will dissipate lightning s harmful electricity safely to the ground. It does not attract any extra attention from lightning and just like buildings constructed with traditional building materials any electricity from a lightning strike will will be safely transferred to the ground below so occupants will be unaffected. A metal roof can protect your house from both the heat of the lightning strike and the electrical current because of its non combustible nature.

After all metal is highly conductive just like the materials used in lightning rods that are used to attract lightning strikes so doesn t it stand to reason that the metal roof will attract lightning too. In reality when lightning strikes it is seeking a path to ground and almost always will strike whatever object is highest in the area that also has a direct path to ground. Lightning occurs on too large of a scale to be influenced by small objects on the ground including metal objects. Extensive research on lightning protection reveals that metal roofing is no more likely to attract a lightning strike than any other type of conventional roofing material.

It is a false belief that metal roofs can increase the risk of a lightning strike. In fact as a non combustible material with the highest class a fire resistance rating metal roofing is the most desirable material for homes and businesses in lightning prone regions. Lightning produces intense heat and often this heat can cause fires on the roof or inside the house. This may be because metal is highly conductive similar to the metal rods that are used to attract lightning.

There is a belief that metal roofs increase the likelihood of a lightning strike. Lightning is attracted to.