Is your church covered against lightning damage?

[AS CHURCHES BEGIN to welcome their congregations once more, thoughts might naturally turn to the risks involved – and to the relevant insurance policies in place. One of the risks traditionally endured by churches is that of lightning strike. Although there are fewer lightning strikes in the UK than elsewhere in Europe and indeed the world, the architecture of places of worship makes them particularly vulnerable.

According to leading church insurers Ecclesiastical, most damage from lightning strikes these days is to electrical equipment. Injury to people is mercifully very rare.

Insurance for damage by lightning is, says Ecclesiastical, included in most church insurance policies. The company also has guidance on the kind of lightning protection churches should have.

The guidance states: • A lightning conductor is not a condition of cover, but Ecclesiastical does advise having one fitted

• if the risk assessment indicates one is required.

• Simple level 3 (loss of cultural heritage) and level 4 (loss of economic value) lightning protection

• systems found on most churches need to be formally tested every four years as per • recommendations provided under BS EN 62305. • Older lightning protection systems do not have to be upgraded unless the upgrade has been

• identified during one of Ecclesiastical’s risk assessments of the church. • Installing surge protection equipment can prevent damaging electrical power surges.

• Any work on a church’s lightning protection system should be conducted by a competent contractor.

Most authorities recommend that systems should be inspected and tested at an interval not exceeding 12 months, and Ecclesiastical states that an inspection and test is also advisable following a strike or suspected strike, as some damage may have occurred. q

Earthing Equipment Supplies Southern Ltd is a well-established, ATLAS accredited, company offering a wide range of lightning protection services. ATLAS is the UK governing body for lightning protection. 30 years trading. • BS EN 62305 2012 • System Installation • Upgrading • Remedial Work • Testing • Earthing • Materials Supply • Risk Assessment Calculations • Soil Resistivity Testing • Surge Arrester Quotes • Site Visits

T: 0118 976 0239 / 07502 934466 E: sales@earthingequip.com W: earthingequip.com

Lavender House, Church Lane, Arborfield, Nr Reading RG2 9JA

• Annual Testing • Inspection & Maintenance

• Surge Protection • Height Safety Systems Churches, Schools, Hospitals, Universities, Colleges

T: 01761 437796 M: 07974 184449 E: graham@gnssteeplejacks.co.uk W: www.gnssteeplejacks.co.uk

Unit 3, Bath Business Park, Peasedown St John, Somerset BA2 8SF

Installation, maintenance and testing of lightning protection systems, utilising rope access systems for safe access. • Cathedrals • Churches • High Rise Office Blocks • High Rise Residential Blocks • Towers • Sports Centres • Schools • Hospitals

A C Wallbridge & Co Ltd T: 01722 322750 E: mail@wallbridge.co.uk W: www.wallbridge.co.uk

Trading for over 40 years, we specialise in: Lightning protection systems BS EN 62305 & BS 6651 Earthing and resistivity testing High maintenance work Flagpoles • All rope access work Full architectural surveys & cover meter surveys T: 01225 761330 M: 07973 397770 E: wiltssteeplejack@aol.com W: www.wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk

The Coach House, 5 Court Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8BR

North(Head office): 01461 800323 South: 01582 511036 N.E: 01914 661145 E: info@lightningconductor.co.uk W: www.lightningconductor.co.uk

T: 07807 334441 E: south@lightningconductor.org W: www.lightningconductor.org

Airport Business Centre, 10 Thornbury Road, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PP

Design, installation and maintenance

• Lightning Protection • Surge Protection

• Earthing Services • Height Safety Services

T: 020 8371 0001 E: info@cuttings.co.uk W: cuttings.co.uk