The field problem
Heritage Facility — Luxor
A proposal dismissed the need for LPS largely because the building was relatively low and located away from the coast.
why the obvious answer can be misleading
Lightning risk is not determined by height alone. Consequence of loss, occupancy, services, location, collection area and cultural value must be considered in the formal risk process.
Why it failed
Lightning risk is not determined by height alone.
Consequence of loss, occupancy, services, location, collection area and cultural value must be considered in the formal risk process.
Follow the engineering
Switch between the field condition and the engineering concept. Trace the path and examine what changes.
Inspect the engineering detail
What changes
Perform the project-specific lightning risk assessment and treat irreplaceable heritage consequences explicitly.
Correction & verification
Perform the project-specific lightning risk assessment and treat irreplaceable heritage consequences explicitly.
Do not use geography or height as a shortcut for the risk calculation.
Verification recorded in the case
- Document the risk components, selected protection measures and residual risk.
- Record as-built topology and connection points.
- Repeat the measurement or functional test under a defined condition.
- Confirm continuity and mechanical integrity of the corrected path.
- Document instrument/setup, environmental condition and test method.
- Close the NCR/case only when evidence supports the conclusion.
References & project context
References are reproduced from the PIS casebook. Select the governing edition and project acceptance criteria before using them for a design. The diagrams explain the concept, rather than define construction dimensions.
IEC 62305-2.
PIS reviewed field handbook · PIS-CS-019
View the original social cardThe engineering lesson
The value of what can be lost may dominate the engineering decision.
Take the lesson into your next design review.