“Protecting” a Georgia Tech Legacy.
LPI Member Atlanta Lightning Protection in Collaboration with BASE Roofing.
As conversations around climate change grow, so does the commitment to building with sustainability. Architects, engineers, and the design-build community are leading the way by developing innovative materials and design methods to create resilient, eco-friendly buildings built to last.
This year’s LPI Most Innovative Design Award showcases the collaboration to integrate a lightning protection system into this net-zero garage to protect tradition and legacy. This garage showcases innovation, sustainability and resiliency - to a lightning strike!
Who is Ramblin’ Reck?
The Ramblin’ Reck became Georgia Tech’s official mascot in 1960, inspired by students’ enthusiasm for classic cars. Ramblin’ Reck was the nickname given to the Ford Model T, Ford Model A, and Ford V8 cars driven by Dean Floyd “Bob Cat” Field. Buzz the Yellow Jacket joined as a co-mascot in 1972.
The Garage Design
It is said that Ramblin’ Reck was stored in an undisclosed location for years. Wanting to bring visibility to this iconic mascot, the Ramblin’ Reck Club hired Square Feet Studio - an Atlanta, award-winning, architecture firm focused on smart, simple and sustainable designs. Their challenge was to design a 1,000 square-foot glassed pavilion and working garage to display the vintage vehicle.
Credit: C. Robertson
The Garage Design
Within this small footprint, they were able to create sustainability and functionality - a net-zero garage.
A couple key features:
Roof provides natural lighting, shading from direct sunlight, and a discrete location for solar panels.
Doors: Large, laminated doors pivot upwards for Ramblin’ Reck to easily enter the garage through both ends of the building.
The Garage Protection
Everyproject,neworrenovation,shouldstartwithalightningriskassessment.TheNFPA780 standardforlightningprotectionisoneoptionthatoffersasimpleandcomplexapproachto assessments.Attheveryleast,considerthekeyassessmentfactorswithinthreegeneralareasofa structure:theexternalsurroundings,the structure/material&design,andtheinternal -whoandwhatishappeningontheinside.
Assessment&Considerations
The structure will contain a high valuable, historic item
The building is located in a moderate zone for lightning strikes
Solar Panels on roof need to be protected
High visibility to the public
Challenges
Small footprint with glass walls – and some moveable walls/doors
Solar panels on the roof need to be incorporated into the lightning protection design Roof size and design
Above: Drone picture courtesy of Atlanta Lightning showcasing the Ramblin’ Reck behind glass doors and solar panels to fulfill the garage’s energy needs.
The Solution
Atlanta Lightning Protection, an LPI Certified Contractor member since 1998, talks about the collaboration with BASE Roofing.
“Brandon Smith, owner of BASE Roofing, was immediately brought in to help with the design of the roof, which is short and slopes outward on all sides, making the roof very visible to people walking around. Brandon immediately started thinking that a concealed system would be best, although most commercial systems are exposed on top of the roof.”
Then, the terminals were field wrapped instead of booted like a typical waterproofing detail in order to keep the terminals as low profile as possible. Atlanta Lightning stated, “There were exceptions to capture units on the roof, but the goal was to conceal as much cable as possible to conceal it from people walking by - and we think we accomplished that goal.”
Below/Bottom Left: Illustrate the appropriate inclusion of a lightning protection system on building equipment and solar panels. All pictures courtesy of Atlanta Lightning.
The Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) is a national organization that leads the way in establishing the highest standards and guidelines for the design, installation, and inspection of lightning protection systems. https://lightning.org/