Is Metal Roofs Prone To Lightning Strikes

There is a perception or at least a suspicion that a metal roof will increase the likelihood of lightning striking the building.

Is metal roofs prone to lightning strikes.

Lightning produces intense heat and often this heat can cause fires on the roof or inside the house. There is a belief that metal roofs increase the likelihood of a lightning strike. Even so metal roofs do not attract lightning and are not struck any more frequently than other roofing materials. This may be because metal is highly conductive similar to the metal rods that are used to attract lightning.

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. 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. 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.

The metal construction association notes that metal roofs do not attract lightning. 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 is attracted to.

The concern about metal roofs attracting lightning strikes is most likely associated with the fact that metal can be an electrical conductor. 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. Metal roofs and lighting. 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.

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. 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. In other words metal buildings or metal roofs are basically lightning magnets. Metal is also a non combustible material.

Metal roofs are no more attractive to lightning than any other type of roofing material. Lightning occurs on too large of a scale to be influenced by small objects on the ground including metal objects.