Commercial Lightning Protection

Lightning can pose a serious risk to commercial properties, electrical systems, equipment and day-to-day operations. A professionally designed commercial lightning protection system provides a controlled path for lightning current to travel safely from the point of a strike to the ground, helping reduce the risk of fire and structural damage associated with direct lightning strikes.

Deseret Lightning Protection provides commercial lightning protection system design, installation, inspection, repair and maintenance throughout Utah, Arizona, Idaho and Wyoming.

As a fourth-generation lightning protection company with more than 60 years of industry experience, we provide solutions for new construction as well as existing commercial buildings.

Commercial Lightning Protection for a Wide Range of Properties

Every commercial property is different. Building height, roof configuration, construction materials, rooftop equipment and surrounding conditions can all influence the design of a lightning protection system.

We provide lightning protection solutions for:

✓ Office Buildings
✓ Retail & Shopping Centers
✓ Warehouses
✓ Industrial Buildings
✓ Manufacturing Facilities
✓ Hotels & Hospitality Properties
✓ Churches & Places of Worship
✓ Schools & Educational Facilities
✓ Apartment & Multifamily Buildings
✓ Municipal & Government Buildings
✓ Storage Facilities
✓ Commercial Garages & Shops
✓ Agricultural & Ranch Facilities
✓ New Commercial Construction

Whether you have a small commercial building or a large facility with multiple structures, our team can evaluate your property and recommend an appropriate lightning protection solution.

How Does Commercial Lightning Protection Work?

A lightning protection system does not prevent lightning from striking a building. Instead, it is designed to intercept a lightning strike and provide a controlled, low-impedance path for the electrical current to reach the ground.

A complete commercial lightning protection system may incorporate several interconnected components.

Air Terminals

Commonly referred to as lightning rods, air terminals are strategically positioned on the structure to provide designated strike termination points.

Main Conductors

Copper or aluminum conductors provide paths for lightning current to travel from the strike termination system toward the grounding system.

Grounding System

Grounding electrodes help disperse lightning current into the earth.

Bonding

Appropriate metallic components are bonded into the lightning protection system to help reduce potentially dangerous differences in electrical potential and the risk of side flashing.

Surge Protection

Surge protective devices can provide an additional layer of protection for electrical and electronic systems from transient overvoltages.

These components work together as an integrated system. NFPA 780 addresses lightning protection installation requirements for ordinary structures as well as various special occupancies, including requirements involving strike termination devices, conductors, grounding and bonding.

Why Commercial Buildings Need Lightning Protection

Commercial properties often contain expensive electrical and electronic equipment, communication systems, HVAC controls, security equipment and other systems that are important to normal operations.

A direct lightning strike can create several risks, including:

✓ Fire and structural damage
✓ Damage to building components
✓ Electrical system damage
✓ Damage to sensitive equipment
✓ Operational interruptions and downtime
✓ Costly repairs
✓ Potential loss of important electronic systems

A properly designed lightning protection system is intended to help safeguard the structure and its occupants from hazards associated with lightning exposure. NFPA 780 is the principal U.S. installation standard addressing this type of structural lightning protection.

Lightning Protection for New Commercial Construction

The best time to consider lightning protection is often during the planning and construction stages of a commercial project.

Planning the system early allows lightning protection components to be coordinated with the building’s roofing, electrical, structural and mechanical systems. It may also allow portions of the system to be concealed or integrated more effectively into the finished building.

Deseret Lightning Protection can work with:

✓ General Contractors
✓ Builders
✓ Architects
✓ Engineers
✓ Electrical Contractors
✓ Roofing Contractors
✓ Property Developers
✓ Building Owners

Our team can help coordinate lightning protection installation as part of the overall construction process.

Lightning Protection for Existing Commercial Buildings

You don’t need to be constructing a new building to add lightning protection.

Deseret Lightning Protection can install systems on many existing commercial and industrial properties. We evaluate the structure, roof configuration, grounding conditions and other relevant factors to determine an appropriate installation approach.

We can also inspect an existing lightning protection system to determine whether components have been damaged, disconnected or affected by modifications to the building.

Commercial Lightning Protection Inspection & Repair

Lightning protection systems can be affected when changes are made to a building.

Roof replacement, HVAC work, additions, solar installations and other construction projects may disturb existing lightning protection components.

Our commercial services include:

✓ Lightning Protection System Inspections
✓ Lightning Protection Repairs
✓ System Retrofits & Modifications
✓ Replacement of Damaged Components
✓ Grounding & Bonding Improvements
✓ System Maintenance
✓ Updates Following Roof Replacement
✓ Lightning Protection for Building Additions

If your commercial property already has lightning rods but you aren’t sure about the condition of the complete system, we can evaluate it.

Commercial Lightning Protection & Surge Protection

Structural lightning protection and surge protection serve different but complementary purposes.

The external lightning protection system provides a path for direct lightning current to reach the ground. Surge protective devices help address transient overvoltages that may enter electrical and electronic systems.

For today’s commercial buildings, this can be especially important because businesses increasingly rely on computers, communication equipment, security systems, building automation and other sensitive electronics.

A comprehensive approach should consider both structural lightning protection and appropriate surge protection.

Why Choose Deseret Lightning Protection?

Experience matters when designing and installing a system intended to protect an entire commercial property.

Deseret Lightning Protection is a fourth-generation lightning protection company with more than 60 years of industry experience.

✓ Fourth-Generation Lightning Protection Company
✓ More Than 60 Years of Industry Experience
✓ Commercial & Industrial Lightning Protection
✓ New Construction & Existing Buildings
✓ System Design & Installation
✓ Inspections & Repairs
✓ Retrofit & Maintenance Services
✓ Grounding & Bonding Solutions
✓ Serving Utah, Arizona, Idaho & Wyoming

From an individual commercial building to a larger property or facility, we can help develop a lightning protection solution suited to the structure.

Commercial Lightning Protection in Utah, Arizona, Idaho & Wyoming

Deseret Lightning Protection serves commercial property owners, contractors and businesses throughout the Mountain West.

We provide commercial lightning protection services throughout Utah, Arizona, Idaho and Wyoming, including system design, installation, retrofit, repair, inspection, maintenance and grounding services.

Request a Commercial Lightning Protection Quote

Whether you are planning a new commercial project, adding lightning protection to an existing building or need an existing system inspected, Deseret Lightning Protection can help.

Call (435) 219-4421 today or complete our online form to request a commercial lightning protection quote.

Serving Utah • Arizona • Idaho • Wyoming

Commercial Lightning Protection FAQs

What is a commercial lightning protection system?

A commercial lightning protection system is designed to intercept a lightning strike and provide a controlled path for the electrical current to travel safely to the ground. A complete system typically includes air terminals (lightning rods), conductors, grounding components and bonding. Surge protection may also be incorporated to help protect electrical and electronic systems.

Does a lightning protection system prevent lightning from striking a building?

No. Lightning protection systems do not prevent or attract lightning strikes. Instead, they provide a designated path for lightning current to travel toward the ground, helping reduce the risk of fire and structural damage associated with a direct strike.

What types of commercial buildings can have lightning protection installed?

Lightning protection systems can be designed for many types of properties, including office buildings, warehouses, retail centers, industrial facilities, churches, schools, hotels, multifamily buildings, storage facilities and agricultural buildings. Each system should be designed for the specific structure.

Can lightning protection be installed on an existing commercial building?

Yes. Lightning protection can often be retrofitted to an existing commercial building. The structure, roof configuration, building materials, grounding conditions and existing equipment are evaluated to determine the appropriate installation method.

Should lightning protection be installed during new construction?

New construction is an ideal time to incorporate lightning protection because the system can be coordinated with roofing, electrical, mechanical and other building components. Deseret Lightning Protection can work with building owners, contractors and other project professionals during the construction process.

What is included in a commercial lightning protection system?

Depending on the building, a complete system may include air terminals, main conductors, grounding electrodes, bonding connections and surge protective devices. These components work together to provide an appropriate path for lightning current and address hazards associated with a lightning event.

Is surge protection the same as a lightning protection system?

No. Surge protection and structural lightning protection perform different functions. A structural lightning protection system addresses the effects of a direct lightning strike to the building, while surge protective devices help protect electrical and electronic equipment from transient overvoltages. They can be used together as part of a comprehensive protection approach.

Do commercial lightning protection systems need to be inspected?

Periodic inspection is a good practice, particularly after roof replacement, remodeling, building additions, HVAC work, solar installation or other construction that could affect system components. An inspection can identify disconnected, damaged or altered components that may require attention.

Can you repair an existing commercial lightning protection system?

Yes. Deseret Lightning Protection can inspect existing systems and provide repairs, modifications, retrofits and replacement of damaged components when appropriate. This can be especially important when an older system has been affected by roofing or other building modifications.

Where does Deseret Lightning Protection provide commercial lightning protection services?

Deseret Lightning Protection provides commercial lightning protection system installation, inspection, repair and retrofit services throughout Utah, Arizona, Idaho and Wyoming.

Protect custom homes, mountain homes, cabins, vacation properties, and estates with professionally designed lightning protection systems that blend with your architecture while providing dependable protection.

Protect office buildings, warehouses, retail centers, hotels, schools, churches, medical facilities, commercial buildings, and industrial properties with engineered lightning protection systems built for long-term reliability.

Protect barns, horse stables, riding arenas, dairy facilities, grain storage, equipment buildings, ranches, livestock facilities, and agricultural operations throughout the Mountain West.

Whether you’re building a new structure or upgrading an existing property, Deseret Lightning Protection designs systems that integrate seamlessly with your building while meeting current industry standards.

Our tree lightning protection systems are designed for mature, historic, landmark and valuable trees. Each system is customized for the tree’s size, location and surrounding property.

Industries we serve

• Residential Homes
• Commercial Buildings
• Industrial Facilities
• Agricultural Properties
• Barns and Farms
• Equestrian Facilities
• New Construction Projects
• Historic and Existing Buildings
• Churches and Religious Facilities
• Schools and Educational Buildings
• Hotels and Hospitality Properties
• Warehouses and Storage Facilities
• Government and Municipal Buildings
• Trees and Outdoor Structures