Lightning Protection Code

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 7

Lightning Protection Code

Deaths by llgfitnlng—such as that reported from Warkworth last Wednesday are comparatively rare in New Zealand. An officer of the National Safety Association said it was tile only death by lightning on a New Zealand farm he could recall for U years. Two men were sheltering under a 40ft pine tree from a storm when a bolt of lightning struck the tree, killing one of them. According to the Lightning Protection Code (1968) of the National Fire Protection Association, Boston. United States, the men should not have sought shelter under a lone tree. Certain places are extremely hazardous during thunderstorms and should be avoided if at all possible. Approaching thunderstorms should be anticipated, the code says, and the following places avoided when storms are in the immediate vicinity: “Open fields (farms), athletic fields, golf courses, swimming pools, near wire fences, clothes lines, overhead wires and rail: way lines, isolated hilltops, and wide open spaces.

“In these locations it is extremely hazardous to be riding in or on any of the following during thunderstorms: “Tractors and other farm machinery in open fields, golf carts, scooters, motor-cycles and bicycles, open boats (without masts).” ? The association says to follow these rules when there is a choice of place during ! thunderstorms: i “Seek dense woods—avoid isolated trees; seek depressed areas—avoid hilltops and high places: I seek small unprotected buildings, tents and shelters in low areas—avoid large unprotected buildings and shelters in high areas.” | The code advises persons i not to go out during thunderstorms unless it is necessary. Places which afford shelter from lightning are listed as: Large metal-frame buildings, dwellings and other buildings protected by lightning conductors, cars and buses with metal tops and bodies, trains and trams, enclosed metal boats or ships, boats which are protected against lightning, and city streets which are

shielded by nearby buildings. The code lists ways of protecting all types of houses and buildings from lightning, giving details of the methods recommended.