If you're responsible for a commercial or industrial building, keeping people and assets safe from the effects of lightning strikes isn't just good practice, in most cases, it’s a compliance requirement.

Here’s what you need to know about British lightning protection regulations, system testing, surge protection, and how to stay compliant.

In the UK, the design, installation and maintenance of lightning protection systems (LPS) are governed by BS EN 62305. This comprehensive British Standard covers four key parts:

• Part 1 - General principles
• Part 2 - Risk management (assessing the probability and potential consequences of a strike)
• Part 3 - Physical damage to structures and life hazard (covering external LPS requirements)
• Part 4 - Electrical and electronic systems within structures (covering internal LPS and surge protection)

BS EN 62305 isn’t a nice-to-have. If you’re responsible for building compliance, insurance coverage, or health and safety, it’s essential.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty to protect people from foreseeable risks, including lightning. If your building is deemed at risk, you are legally required to have appropriate protection in place.

However, there isn’t one single rule that covers every situation - several regulations and standards overlap. Together, they make lightning and surge protection a compliance issue, not just good practice:

• Electricity at Work Regulations - precautions are required against electrical danger, such as overvoltages from lightning.
• DSEAR/COMAH - for sites storing flammable or explosive substances, lightning protection is mandatory because a strike is a potential ignition source.
• Building Regulations - reference BS EN 62305 when lightning protection systems are installed.
• BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regs) - requires surge protection devices (SPDs) in many new installations (Sections 443 & 534).
• Insurers - often expect LPS and SPDs as part of risk management.

In practice, if your site is tall, isolated, hazardous, or critical infrastructure, lightning protection isn’t optional.

Compliance starts with a risk assessment carried out in line with BS EN 62305-2. This helps determine whether protection is required and what level of protection is appropriate.

Once a system is installed, compliance means:

• Inspections and testing at least annually, and more frequently if your site risk or conditions demand it, as set out in BS EN 62305-3
• Maintenance and repairs if issues are found
• Keeping detailed records of testing, repairs, and system status

If your system isn’t regularly and properly maintained, it could fail when you need it most and leave you exposed legally and financially.

Not all buildings need lightning protection systems, but many do, especially if they:

• Are tall, isolated, or on elevated ground
• House sensitive electronic equipment
• Store flammable materials
• Are critical to operations (data centres, warehouses, utilities, hospitals)

Warehouses, industrial estates, manufacturing plants, commercial sites, and high-occupancy buildings are all frequently assessed as high-risk.

Lightning protection testing involves a visual inspection and continuity testing of the system, ensuring it still meets BS EN 62305 standards.

This includes checking:

• Earth electrode resistance
• Bonding of metal components
• Condition of conductors, air terminals and fixings
• Surge protection devices (SPDs)

Access North provides detailed reports after each inspection, with remedial work recommendations to keep you compliant.

Good question! They’re often confused, but lightning protection and surge protection serve different purposes:

• Lightning protection refers to the external system that redirects lightning safely into the ground, protecting the structure and people.
• Surge protection safeguards internal electrical and electronic systems from overvoltage spikes caused by nearby lightning strikes or grid switching events.

Under BS 7671, SPDs are a compliance requirement in many new electrical installations. Surge protection is essential for legal compliance and business continuity - it’s not optional.