Guide
Lightning protection standards: BS EN 62305 and the risk assessment
Updated
Lightning protection in the UK is designed and checked against the BS EN 62305 series of British Standards, which replaced BS 6651. Whether a building needs a system, and what kind, starts with a risk assessment under that standard.
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The standard
BSI's page for BS EN 62305-1 says the series, with parts 2, 3 and 4, superseded BS 6651:1999, and that part 1 sets the general principles for protecting structures, their contents, the people in them and the services connected to them.
Source: BSI: BS EN 62305-1, protection against lightning, general principles
The risk assessment
Historic England's guidance on lightning protection covers the design, installation and maintenance of systems, briefs on BS EN 62305 and says a risk assessment should be carried out. For a church or listed building its guidance is the place to start.
Source: Historic England: Lightning protection
Fire safety in the workplace
For a non-domestic building, GOV.UK says the responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly. Lightning is a fire risk, so ask whoever does that assessment whether the building's lightning protection, or the lack of it, has been considered.
Source: GOV.UK: Fire safety in the workplace, who is responsible
Getting it assessed
This page explains the standard; it is not an assessment of your building. Lightning protection contractors carry out BS EN 62305 risk assessments and price the system the assessment calls for. Tell us about the building and they will contact you.