Lightning protection issues
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At our facility, the vent pipes for the methanol storage tanks and those for venting non-condensable gases from the condensers lead to the roof, at a height of about 1 meter above the factory building. The roof is equipped with lightning protection systems, which have also passed lightning protection inspections; however, these lightning protection systems are located below the vent pipes, and there are no higher lightning protection structures in the surrounding area. Is it necessary to add lightning rods next to the vent pipes? What are the specific requirements? Which laws and regulations require it?
A metal wire can be connected from the vent pipe to the lightning protection device!
Vent pipes that emit materials with explosive hazards and protrude from the roof outside the protection area of the lightning conductor shall be equipped with lightning conductors and connected to the roof’s lightning protection system. A flame arrester is installed on the vent pipe; since the flame arrester can prevent the spread of flames, a lightning arrester is generally not necessary. For details, refer to the relevant provisions of the Code for Design of Lightning Protection of Buildings GB50057-94 (2000 edition).
A vent pipe is essentially a lightning conductor; all that’s needed is to ground the vent pipe! ! !
Is there any basis for this? If it happens to be thundering at the time of emptying, then just fire the cannon. In accordance with the requirements of the \"GB 50057-1994 Code for Design of Lightning Protection of Buildings\", \"in order to prevent backflash from occurring to the building under protection or to the metal objects connected to it due to the high voltages generated when lightning current passes through the lightning protection system, a certain safety distance must be maintained between the lightning protection system and such objects.\"
Article 3.3.2 of the Code for Design of Lightning Protection of Buildings GB50057-94 (2000 edition) stipulates that objects such as discharge pipes, air ducts, and chimneys that protrude from the roof shall be protected in the following manner: Discharge pipes, breather valves, exhaust ducts, and other systems that discharge gases, vapors, or dusts with explosive properties shall meet the requirements specified in Paragraph 2 of Article 3.2.1 of this code. II. For vents and chimneys that emit gases, vapors, or dusts that are not explosive, for natural ventilation ducts in explosive hazard areas classified as Zone 1, Zone 11, and Zone 2, as well as for vents, breather valves, and exhaust ducts that discharge explosive gases, vapors, or dusts and are equipped with flame arresters, and for the pipes, valves, and gas vent pipes specified in Paragraph 3 of Article 3.2.1 of these standards, the lightning protection requirements are as follows: 1. Metal objects need not be fitted with lightning arresters, but they must be connected to the roof’s lightning protection system ； 2. Non-metallic objects located outside the protection area of the roof lightning conductor should be equipped with lightning conductors and connected to the roof lightning protection system.
A vent pipe with a flame arrester and properly grounded meets the regulatory requirements, but it cannot guarantee protection against lightning strikes; however, with a flame arrester in place, an explosion will not occur in the event of a lightning strike. If you want to minimize the risk of being struck by lightning, then install lightning rods around the vent pipe – that’s exactly what we do. As stated on the 3rd floor, exhaust pipes that discharge materials with explosive hazards and protrude from the roof outside the protection area of the lightning receptor should be equipped with lightning receptors and connected to the roof’s lightning protection system. A flame arrester is installed on the vent pipe; since the flame arrester can prevent the spread of flames, a lightning arrester is generally not necessary. For details, refer to the relevant provisions of the Code for Design of Lightning Protection of Buildings GB50057-94 (2000 edition). ”That’s right.