Government Building Accident

Juraisin Lightning Protection Systems

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Destruction of Concrete in Lightning Accident

City Government Building

According to this newspaper article, this accident was caused by a direct lightning strike. However, as we know according to the results of our Comparison Test, we can presume that this accident was caused by a secondary lightning strike resulting from the discharge dispersion of an advance upward streamer.

When we look at where the lightning struck, we can see a stainless steel handrail located above the damaged area. Although this handrail has taken the place of a lightning protection conductor, the lightning struck the area below. What can normally be considered is that if the lightning had struck the stainless steel handrail rather than the lightning rod, it would not be possible for the lightning to strike the corner of the concrete located below the handrail. When we consider why the lightning struck the concrete, we can presume that the instant when lightning struck the lightning rod, upward streamers disappeared. As a result, the lightning then scattered and the lightning dispersed to an unpredictable location.

This accident occurred on a Saturday evening when the government building and the parking lot below were closed. As a result, no substantial damages occurred from this accident. However, a secondary entrance is located in this area. Had this accident occurred on a weekday, many people using this entrance could have been injured and the damages would have been significant.