The Integrated Lightning Engineering Plan as an overarching and coordinating framework for an effective and holistic lightning protection solution

摘要

The objective of a lightning protection system (LPS) is to comprehensively protect humans, animals, structures, systems and equipment against the damaging and dangerous effects of lightning. Human behaviour during a lightning storm is an important consideration and emphasises the need for a holistic safety strategy over an extended period of time. Lightning protection solutions must be holistically engineered and relevant risks (due to lightning and in a wider context) must be assessed and managed. Furthermore, the ongoing integrity of the LPS must be properly coordinated with all relevant parties (for example at a plant) and maintained. Awareness and training of all stakeholders and potentially affected parties in respect of the objectives, measures and plans in place is key to the effectiveness and sustainability of the strategy and solution. This paper discusses the requirements and key elements of an Integrated Lightning Engineering Plan (ILEP) and argues that such a comprehensive and integrated plan should be the overarching and coordinating engineering management framework to enable an effective and holistic lightning protection strategy and solution.