Quote:
Originally Posted by MrLindy
The statement concerning "No Lightning Protection in the Villages" is NOT correct!
Many homes DO HAVE Lightning protection installed. Look on/at the roof tops on homes - and you see those with protection will usually have small rods located usually on the corners and other points along the roof.
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There's also is extensive lightning protection across The Villages as required by Florida building code for critical infrastructure, major commercial and public facilities:
* Pumping stations,
* Fire headquarters, fire stations not in metal buildings,
* Most building in Lake Sumter Landing,
* The Sharon,
* Savannah Center,
* Glenview and Lopez CC,
* Hospitals,
* Independent living facilities,
* Major churches,
* Schools,
* Hotels,
* SECO & Duke substations,
* Middleton and Eastport (?),
* and probably more.
These facilities have likely been struck many times by lightning with no critical damage. Len Hathaway stated a Federal Aviation Administration study showed that the Tampa control tower recorded 25,000 lightning strikes with no damage. The Orlando control tower experienced 20,000 lightning strikes with the loss of one telephone line.
Florida building code includes the following:
Section 2703 Lightning Protection
2703.1 Lightning Protection. A lightning protection system shall be provided for all new buildings and additions in accordance with NFPA 780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, UL 96A, Installation Requirements for Lightning Requirement, HBP-21 or other alternative equivalent standard for the installation of lightning protection systems.
2703.2 Where additions are constructed to existing building, the existing building’s lightning protection system, if connected to the new lightning protection system, shall be inspected and brought into compliance with current standards.
2703.3 Surge protection devices shall be installed for all normal and emergency electrical systems in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.
Exceptions:
1. One- and two-family dwellings
2. Lightning protection shall not be required for any building or addition where shown unnecessary by evaluation using the Risk Assessment Guide in NFPA 780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems or an alternative method approved by the authority having jurisdiction.