Date: 4/15/2021

To: Engineering Team

From: Mark Sapyta
Subject: Our Need for Lightning Safety Equipment
Distribution List: Engineering Team

The intention of this paper is to explain the importance of including lightning protection
systems in our future projects. Our company is an innovator and a leader in the large-
scale building space and with that power comes the responsibility for us to set a good
example for the rest of the field. With the Arabian Construction Group setting a
precedent that all new building projects include a lightning protection, it is our belief that
other companies will adopt the practice and make it an industry standard. In the future
these systems maybe required in all buildings and the lack of a system on a building
may be seen as negligent and leave us open to a lawsuit.

Summary
A lightning protection system that we believe should be standard on all buildings large
and small consists of three parts. Lightning rods at the top of the building to be the initial
striking point for the lightning. Conduction cables, which are large metal cables, will
carry the large current to the final component. Ground rods will disperse the current into
the ground safely avoiding and damage to property or harm to anyone around. With
this system in place as a standard all future building will be made with better chances of
coming out of a lightning strike unscathed. These systems will have an upfront cost that
could be a large investment, but it is my belief that a fire or structural damage to any of
our projects will far outweigh the cost of these systems.

Components of the System

This system has an incredible basic design that will start at the top of a building with a
metal rod and run down the side to rods buried into the ground. It works by being the
easiest target for lighting to hit. It is important to note for legal reason that these
systems will not guarantee our building is safe from lightning damage but will greatly
decrease our risk of having damage from a strike.
Lightning Rods
These will be at the top of the buildings and will be higher than anything else so it will be
the easier target for lightning if it were to strike. These would be easily installed when
constructing the building but be very difficult to add once the project was completed.
Conducting Cables
These are large metal cables that will offer the path of least resistance down from the
roof to the ground. These two would be difficult to install after the completion of the
building and be even more difficult to hide and affect the appearance of the building.
Ground Rods
These are metal rods buried into the ground that will disperse the current carried by the
conducting cables. These will be easier to install that the other two but might come out
to be more expensive because of the cost of digging holes for them to go into the
ground then covering the holes back up.
Conclusion
The implementation of this system will have an upfront cost which is why I imagine it is
not already standard, but it is my belief that these systems are a necessity for
preventing damage or fires in these large structures that could be devastating. With the
Arabian Construction Group being pioneers in the field and making this a standard all
new buildings will be much safer for their owners and residents. This will prove to cost
much less if we get in front of the curve and do these things before we are required to
install them later.
Recommendation
It is very important that all large structures have these systems installed but I know it is
unreasonable to assume that this will happen overnight. It is my recommendation that
going forward all new construction projects have one of these systems included to
ensure the safety of new projects going forward. Slowly over time, previous projects
should also be retrofitted with lighting safety systems as well to help ensure the safety
of all our previous projects. Having all previous and future projects protected from
lightning strikes will give our customers and investors piece of mind.

References
Consumer Alert: Homeowners Warned about the Dangers of Shoddy Lightning
Protection System Installations.” Lightning Protection Institute, 14 June 2016,
lightning.org/consumer-alert-homeowners-warned-about-the-dangers-of-shoddy-
lightning-protection-system-installations/.
Elsom, Derek M. Lightning. Reaktion Books, 2015.
Robinson, Dan. “Weather Library - How Lightning Protection Systems Work.” Storm
Highway by Dan Robinson, stormhighway.com/protection.php.