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Our goal is to help “Make the World a Safer Place” by raising awareness concerning the benefits of lightning protection for any type of structure use. Our team members take that responsibility very seriously, which is why we undergo regular industry specific training, participate in continuing education events, and serve on the Underwriters Laboratories’ Lightning Protection Technical Standards Panel. We stay up to date with lightning protection installation code changes and, through our service on the UL Standards Technical Panel, we also help to shape the future of lightning protection installation practices with proposals and votes that reflect our real world experience.

Lightning Protection Question & Answer

Do people still use lightning rods?

More than ever before. With all the electronics installed in buildings today, lightning protection systems will protect the structure and help protect the electronic systems to keep the building up and running.

Does a lightning protection system attract lightning?

No. Lightning protection systems do not attract or repel lightning; they simply provide a safe path to the ground, away from the nonconductive parts of your home (wood, brick, tile, shingles, etc.).

What does a lightning protection system look like?

Lightning protection systems can be very inconspicuous, especially when it is designed into a new structure. Unless you were looking for it, you probably would not notice it. Most of the wires are run within the structure and are therefore concealed from view. There are decorative finials you can add for a more architectural look.

Are steel framed buildings safe?

A steel framed building can conduct lightning but without a lightning protection system, the lightning can jump to different components of your building like electric or telephone wires because the steel frame is not designed to conduct the lightning to the ground. A lightning protection system will direct the lightning harmlessly through the building and to the ground.

Who can design/install/maintain a lightning protection system?

Only a certified lightning protection expert should design/install/maintain your lightning protection system. Electricians, general contractors and roofers are usually not qualified to do this type of work. You should be sure your lightning protection installer is UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or LPI (Lightning Protection Institute) listed with notable experience (i.e. has received UL Master Label Certificate or LPI certifications). These certificates indicate that the lightning protection system installers are qualified to meet industry-required standards for a fully-operational lightning protection system.

Do lightning rods really work?

Yes. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and UL constantly update the standards with new findings and better equipment. The FAA, NASA, Department of Energy and the Department of Defense typically do not build any structures without a lightning protection system. Florida now requires hospitals, government and educational facilities to have a lightning protection system installed to new structures as a part of the new building codes.

I have tall trees around my home; don’t they protect me from lightning?

NO! Many people believe trees afford their home protection from lightning, this is false! Trees are poor conductors of electricity, like brick and tile, and therefore do not provide the lightning with an easy path to the ground. Lightning may seek an easier path by jumping and attaching to your home’s electrical wires or plumbing pipes, causing damage or a fire.

Do I need surge suppression for my home? Can I just get surge suppression?

Surge suppression is an integral part of any lightning protection system as it helps protect your home from the harmful surge of a lightning strike. Just having surge suppression will not protect your structure from a lightning strike. The structure needs a full lightning protection system including surge suppression for electric, telephone and video feeds to the building to be fully protected. You must have a lightning protection system to capture the impending lightning strike, and then once that massive electrical energy is transmitted deep into the earth, surge suppression can then help protect the electronics inside your home from stray currents. No surge suppression protects against a direct lightning strike unless a lightning protection system is in place.

Lightning Facts

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” –Ben Franklin, inventor of Lightning Protection
Lightning is the only natural weather phenomena for which reliable and affordable protection is available for.
Summer is the peak season for lightning but people are struck year round. An average of 53 people is killed each year by lightning.
NO PLACE OUTSIDE IS SAFE DURING A THUNDERSTORM. Immediately seek shelter in a substantial building (with electricity or plumbing) or a metal topped vehicle.
Indoors: Stay off phones, computers, other electrical equipment. Avoid plumbing, doors and windows.
The Lightning Safety Alliance’s Leon the Lions says, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”
The US receives 20 million lightning strikes annually.
A lightning strike can generate heat in excess of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit and without a lightning protection system resistance from the nonconductive parts of your home (wood, tile, brick, shingles, etc.) can cause the lightning fires you see.

The cost of insurance claims for lightning damage increased 28% from 2004-2008.
Lightning is the cause of 15% of all fires in wood shingle homes.
3-5% of all commercial insurance claims are lightning related. *Source Factory Mutual Insurance Co.
Property losses due to lightning exceed $5 billion in the US annually.
A single bolt of lightning can carry over 30 million volts of electricity and every year the number of homes struck increases.
Lightning is the #1 cause of church fires in the US according to the Insurance Information Institute.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, residential lightning losses exceed $1 billion annually and represent almost 5% of all residential insurance claims.
It is a myth that lightning never strikes twice. In fact, it can and usually does.

Testimonials

Michael D Dorton

"Robbie and his team did a professional job in installing lightning protection at my residence. We were able to get a significant reduction on our homeowners thru Pure. Thanks to Robbie alerting me to the potential for the insurance reduction."

Daniel Buffington

Buffington Homes

"We install lightning protection on all of our homes. It is amazing that people who live near the ocean or marsh in an area prone to thunderstorms would ever consider being without. In regards to the installation, it is critically important that the installation is done correctly (you do not want to find out that it was installed improperly because by then it is probably too late). We use SC Lightning Protection because not only have we seen their professional installations, but they also provide an Underwriters Laboratory certificate assuring us that the system was installed properly. I also like using SC Lightning Protection because of their passion and knowledge of the entire subject of lightning protection. As a techie nerd myself, it is important to me that they have the technical knowledge to answer any of my questions in depth about the installation, etc. of the system."

Janice and Len Brooks

"Fully satisfied with the work completed by SCLP. They patiently answered our many questions and started and completed work according to schedule. Staff was great to work with. Would highly recommend SCLP to anyone concerned about protecting their home from this type of damage."

Anna Pressly

Joel Pelletier

Project Manager

Frank, Headquarters Island

Our unprotected home was struck by lightning which ignited a gas fire that badly damaged our house. We had to relocate for 2 years while our home was rebuilt. This disrupted our way of life, and came at great emotional and financial expense. Although they say ‘lightning doesn't strike twice”, we are not taking any chances. SCLP was extremely professional and responsive and the cost of the system is well worth the piece of mind and is merely fraction of the unreimbursed costs we incurred from the lightning strike.

Lightning is the ONLY natural disaster for which affordable protection is available. The American Meteorologist Society in 2003 issued a bulletin endorsing the Lightning Protection Requirements of the National Fire Protection Associations “NFPA” stating, “It is now well established that properly installed and maintained lightning rod-based protection systems significantly decrease lightning damage.”