Facilities and Assets Covered
Refineries and process units
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
LNG and LPG terminals
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
CNG and PNG stations
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Tank farms and petroleum depots
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Compressor and metering stations
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Control rooms and substations
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Loading gantries and pump houses
Included in the project-specific lightning, earthing and surge-protection review.
Why Protection Is Critical
Hazardous-area ignition risk
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Static bonding and equipotential control
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Corrosion and chemical exposure
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
DCS, ESD, PLC and instrumentation protection
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Project-specific safety and approval requirements
Requires dedicated engineering attention during risk assessment and detailed design.
Sector Design Philosophy
The protection strategy should combine external lightning interception, down-conductor routing, earth termination, equipotential bonding and coordinated SPDs. The selected system must follow the current project specification, site conditions and authority requirements.
Engineering Design Workflow
1. Site Data
Collect drawings, dimensions, roof levels, coordinates, occupancy, critical equipment, hazardous classification and incoming services.
2. Risk Review
Evaluate strike exposure, local lightning activity, consequences of failure, fire risk, service continuity and project requirements.
3. System Selection
Select ESE or conventional IEC 62305 route only where accepted by the project specification.
4. External LPS
Define air termination, masts, down conductors, bonding and earth termination.
5. Internal Protection
Coordinate Type 1, Type 2 and signal-line SPDs with the electrical distribution and lightning protection zones.
6. Documentation
Prepare calculations, layouts, BOQ, technical specifications, method statement, test records and as-built drawings.
Typical BOQ
| Item | Description | Quantity Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Air termination | ESE terminal or conventional rods/mesh as specified | Coverage and roof geometry |
| Mast/support | GI/SS mast, brackets, base or guying | Mechanical and wind-load design |
| Down conductor | Specified conductor, holders and test joints | Measured route and number of paths |
| Earthing | Electrodes, conductors, chambers and bonding | Soil study and earthing design |
| SPDs | Power and signal-line surge protection | Panel and circuit survey |
| Services | Installation, testing, commissioning and documentation | Complete project |
Inspection, Maintenance and AMC
Visual Inspection
Check terminals, masts, conductors, joints, labels, supports, corrosion and mechanical damage.
Electrical Testing
Verify continuity, bonding, earth-system performance and SPD status using appropriate test methods.
Post-Strike Review
Inspect after a recorded event, severe storm, roof alteration or electrical modification.
AMC Documentation
Maintain inspection reports, earth-test records, event-counter readings, photographs and corrective-action BOQ.