LPS -- Lightning Protection Systems -- Disappointed with Statement of Work
 

After so many documented lightning strikes, I decided to research the installation and cost of LPS.

I initially talked to a neighbor and he described how they are installed, which contrasted with what I see around The Villages.

I watched some Youtube videos and saw the installation in the attic with the only protrusions being the Rod Thread through the roof and the connectors and wires running inside the attic in the trusses. I liked the concept of the clean and permanent install.

I even watched videos where it was done in existing homes in the Central Florida area.

I liked the idea of not having wires attached to the shingles -- potentially causing abrasions to the shingles in the wind, and also not being strapped down to the roof with screws through the shingles, membrane, and wood roof panels.

My spouse got quotes from the 2 major installers in the area, and 1 from Orlando that was featured in This Old House episodes.

They all want to do an On-Top Roof mounting of all items. They told my spouse that it limits protrusions into the roof. Maybe I'm missing something, but strapping down the Rod Holders, the Connections, and Wires seem to be holes in my roof -- each a potential for leaks.

Anyway, I like the idea of a Copper Install in the Trusses that would last longer than I will last.

Some of the quotes were for Aluminum and also an option for Copper.

One quote indicated that the Aluminum was a disposable item at each Shingle Replacement.

All quotes indicated Roof-Top install with required removal and reinstall at Shingle Replacement.

I just felt deflated that this didn't match the Youtube videos of the clean install in the roof. One of the vendors suggested that they could do an In-Roof install during New Contruction, but not afterwards.

For those of you who might consider LPS, and those of you with an opinion. Am I justified in being skeptical of an installation with All-parts on the shingles?

By the way, being skeptical of whether LPS is worth the expense is a whole other discussion.

Big Steph

I understand your concern but as you discovered you can only get an In-roof install when the house is being built if the builder will allow it. There are thousands of On-roof installs here in the Villages and in speaking with A1 and Triangle, there are very few issues with leaks and shingle issues. They use a special screw with sealant on all roof penetrations and the cables are secured tight so they don't move around. I agree when you think of the number of roof penetrations needed to install a system it can be a little daunting but in reality it's not a problem. Worse is if you don't install a system and then get hit. The ensuing damage will dwarf any concerns with the On-roof installation. Hope this helps.

If I recall correctly, the is UL requirement for the installation of these systems, I have never heard of the inside the attic arrangement, and I would have concerns about the use of aluminum cables. I would go to the UL website and see what they have available to guide the consumer on these installations.

I found a link to start with:
Code-Compliant Installation of Lightning Protection Systems | UL Solutions

We used Danny Mack with A-1 Lightning Protection 352-465-0620. A-1 is UL qualified and local. He is one of the several respected companies that install lightning systems in the villages. I recommend you call him for an estimate and explanation. You also can see many of his installs on homes in the villages.

Now that I've been living in a home with a metal roof for the past 5 years, I would look into the affordability of investing in one for a newer home. If the ARC allows it - and I could afford it - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Metal roofs are safer in lightning prone areas, they can last between 40-70 years before they need replacing. You never have to worry about replacing shingles, though you do have to check the screws every year or so and apply sealant ever few years wherever there are screws (it's just a few hundred dollars every few years). They now come in different colors and styles, including a really nice ribbed matte finish which looks great on eaves and gables. You can save on insurance, with a metal roof.

Downside is they're crazy expensive. But they're an investment item. It can increase the value of your home, /and/ lower the risk of a potential buyer backing out unless you spring for a new roof when the old one is only 10 years old, because they're afraid of insurance issues.

Because?

Much of the energy for a high frequency/rise time transient event is carried in the electric field around the wire. This is one of the reasons they use braided cable as it will present the minimum impedance to the event.

The UL approved aluminium cable is sized to handle the same transient currents as copper cable for lightening suppression applications.

As far as I know, there should be no electrical difference between these two for a properly installed system.

I would be concerned with bringing the millions of volts inside the attic.

I'm just curious. Are you sure there are "thousands" of houses in The Villages that have a lightning protection system? I have not seen very many.

A-1, highly recommended.

not sure if metal roofs are allowed in the villages, better check first with ARC

Big Steph: Thank you for posting this. You just very effectively talked me out of a lightening protection system. Having the developer offer this internally when new homes are being built provides another revenue stream !!! AND you don’t need to replace when you reshingle the roof.

The systems don’t really stand out much for you to see them unless you look closely. I believe A1 told me they have installed over 3000 systems. If you have gas and the distribution header is in the attic in the garage strongly suggest you rethink not having lightning protection.

They are allowed but yes you would need arc approval. There are ones you wouldn’t even know are metal if you didn’t see the install.

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Part of my justification is the Developer installs then on critical infrastructure, pump houses, fire stations, buildings in squares, etc.

The state of Florida, whose building code requires Lightning Protection Systems to be installed on all newly constructed Schools, Hospitals, and Nursing Homes. This is the only such mandate in the US.

If we are just talking about houses, there are about 70,000 houses in The Villages. So, 1/100 would equate to about 700 houses with lightning protection systems. I have only seen one house with a system in my neighborhood.