[Sherman931]

Anyone have any experience with this company. I did a search and, while there is a great deal of info on TOTV about lightning and LPS I was unable to find anything specific about this company. Owner is William Burden and he has a web site www.WBLightningrods.com. I am seriously considering installing a LPS. Anyone with experience/knowledge of this company?

[LittleDog]

We used Bonded Lightning Protection in 2007. This company was referred to us by a knowledgable lightning rod person. Don't know if they are listed in the phone book. They are very reputable and did a great job for us. They had all the certifications. From what I can tell there have been people soliciting in the Villages that are not that qualified. I can't comment on your recommendation.

John

[Lightning]

The installation a lightning protection system (LPS) is not regulated by the state or county as is the case with electrical, plumbing, pools, etc. It is a buyer beware marketplace. Be warry of door-to-door high pressure sales, unmarked trucks, low-ball prices, promise of a 2-3 hour installation, discounts for recruiting neighbors, and by installers who will self-certify that the installation meets the national standard, NFPA-780, 2011 edition. See the back issues for the POA Bulletins that can be found on line at their web site, particulary the Lightning Matters column in the April 2011 and July 2010 issues to find a "listed" installer.

[kb8tpw]

WP Lightning Rods did mine last fall. They operate in a couple of locations I believe, but not sure where else. They put in 5 or 6 for me, two ground terminations. Their materiel and workmanship was great and I am 100% satisfied. I have one of their cards around someplace, but not sure just where, so if you want more info send me a PM and I'll dig it out from it's hiding place. Florida is lightning capital of the world.

[red tail]

it would be interesting to know how many people in florida acually fall for these rods. this is like buying a concrete bunker for your backyard for tornados. or red hawk cages to protect our dogs from wild animals.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by red tail

it would be interesting to know how many people in florida acually fall for these rods. this is like buying a concrete bunker for your backyard for tornados. or red hawk cages to protect our dogs from wild animals.

My goodness. I'm awe of your supreme knowledge. Tell me, should I cancel my auto and homeowners insurance as well? I mean, I've been driving all these years and yet to be in an accident. Please write an appendix to the info on the website for prospective villagers and detail what we should do and believe and what we shouldn't. And forward your information to the Morses, since they wasted so much money on lightning rods on all the town square buildings.

Is there an "Ignore" function on this message board?

[Fourpar]

...What mikeod said!

Anyone contemplating a lightning protection system would be well advised to do their own research about the topic. A couple of places to start: Google Lightning Protection, Underwriters Laboratory+lightning protection and stainless steel corrugated flexible gas pipes, just to start. And don't listen to any provider that will not assure you of UL Inspection and Certification of installation of such protection.

[Lightning]

It would be wise to do your homework before installing lightning rods. See Dr. Martin Uman's book, The Art and Science of Lighting Protection, in The Villages Library. Also see back issues for last two years of the Lightning Matters columns in the POA Bulletin that can be found on the POA web site. Lightning rods have been around for 259 years and research continues to further understand lightning by several universities including the University of Florida where they use a rocket-to-wire technolgy to induce lightning to strike structures and equipment under test. If lightning rods are designed, installed, and maintained according to the national standard, NFPA 780, they give potentially destructive lightning a low-residence and safe path to ground. Unless you contract with a UL or LPI "listed" installer you have no way to know if the system was installed correctly unless you have a working knowlege of NFPA 780.