Guide
Lightning protection testing cost: what UK buyers pay for inspections
Updated
Lightning protection testing is usually bought as a contract covering a schedule of sites over several years. In the notices we read, Wakefield and District Housing paid £5,800 for about three years of annual tests, and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust £28,590 for three years of inspection and testing.
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Two testing contracts
| Buyer | Term | Total value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield and District Housing: annual inspection and testing of a schedule of sites | March 2021 to February 2024 | £5,800 | Contracts Finder: Maintenance and Testing of Lightning Conductor, Wakefield and District Housing |
| Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust: inspection and testing | April 2023 to March 2026 | £28,590 | Contracts Finder: Lightning Protection Systems Inspection and Testing, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust |
Wakefield and District Housing's notice says the contractor visits a schedule of sites every year to inspect and test the lightning conductors, and that it is a test and maintenance service only: major upgrades go out to tender separately.
Source: Contracts Finder: Maintenance and Testing of Lightning Conductor, Wakefield and District Housing
What a test does not cover
A test finds what needs fixing; it does not fix it. Repairs, replaced conductors and upgrades after a failed test are priced as separate work, which is why the housing contract above kept them out of its value.
Source: Contracts Finder: Maintenance and Testing of Lightning Conductor, Wakefield and District Housing
Why it is tested at all
Historic England's guidance covers the maintenance of lightning protection systems as well as their design and installation, and says a risk assessment should be carried out. A system that is never tested can fail without anyone knowing.