What are the general requirements for lightning protection design of buildings storing solid explosive materials?

May 23, 2022

The building that stores solid explosive materials is very important. Once a lightning strike occurs, it may have a huge impact, so the lightning protection level of the building is also high.
So, what are the general requirements for lightning protection design of buildings storing solid explosive materials?

1) For buildings that store solid explosive materials, the lightning protection design should consider the structural sensitivity of the materials used or stored in the building. For example, some non-sensitive bulk explosive materials need not be considered other than those contained in this appendix. The structures of some sensitive explosive materials may be sensitive to the radiation of rapidly changing electric fields and/or lightning pulse electromagnetic fields, and other equipotential bonding or shielding requirements may be necessary for such applications.

2) For buildings storing solid explosive materials, separate external LPS may be used. If the building is completely contained in a 5mm thick steel structure or an equivalent structure (eg: 7mm thick aluminum structure), it can be considered to be protected by a natural air-termination system, and its grounding requirements are shown in 5.4 of GB/T 21714.3-2015.

3) In all locations where explosive materials are present, a surge protector (SPD) should be part of the LPS. When conditions permit, SPD surge protectors should be installed outside the area where solid explosive materials are located. For SPD surge protectors installed in areas with exposed explosive materials or explosive dust, use explosion-proof SPD surge protectors or seal SPD surge protectors in explosion-proof containers.

Analysis: GB/T 21714.3-2015 "Lightning Protection Part 3: Physical Damage to Buildings and Danger to Life" Article D.4

The above are the general requirements for the lightning protection design of buildings that store solid explosive materials. You can refer to it. The lightning protection design of flammable and explosive places still requires a professional lightning protection company to come to the site to make lightning protection plans according to the actual situation.