Page 1 of 4

NFPA 780 Standard for the

Installation of Lightning Protection Systems
2011 Edition

MELVIN K. SANDERS
SENIOR MEMBER, IEEE
Things Electrical Co., Inc. (dba TECo., Inc.)
206 SE Eastlawn Drive
Ankeny, IA 50021-3402, USA
515-240-6974 Cell
sanders.m.k@ieee.org

Abstract—This paper will briefly summarize the nature of
lightning, provide a brief history of the document, the lead taken
by the National Fire Protection Association to incorporate
experience proven protections, and highlight topics of interest in
the 2011 edition.
Index Terms—Bonding, Grounding, Lightning, Lightning
Protection Systems, LPS, Lightning Risk Assessment, NFPA 780,
Wind Turbine, Structures Housing Explosive Material, Helipad
I. INTRODUCTION
Strike discharge current results from a breakdown of
electrostatic potential. It is unidirectional (the majority of the
discharges are negative relative to earth but they can also be
positive relative to earth) and creates a broadband
electromagnetic pulse ranging in frequency from a few
hundred Hertz to several kilo-Hertz with the majority of the
energy in its lower frequency components. They are of very
short time duration, containing micro-second individual
bursts that result in multiple flashes appearing as one
continuous flash to the observer for some milliseconds of
elapsed time. Depending upon the path taken, the magnitude
of current flow can induce voltages in nearby metallic
members or other metallic components, and insulations will
break down due to the resultant voltage pressure. These
voltages can exceed the dielectric strength of air, causing
flash-over and arcing to occur, which can ignite combustible
materials, and create explosive pressures due to the
overheated air and any liquids involved that will flash into
steam. In addition, the high temperature (approximately 50
000 degrees Kelvin) associated with the lightning channel
and its resultant attachment point can create as much or even
more damage.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
promulgates over 2000 national codes and standards that are
used world-wide for the application of facility and safety
concerns. IEEE has representation on several, and among
them is NFPA 780. It is among the earliest documents
published by NFPA, and its topic linage leads directly back
to the investigations undertaken by the noted Engineer
Benjamin Franklin. It is intended to provide a solid
foundation for providing protection from the totally random,
uncontrollable, unpredictable natural phenomenon of
environmental electrostatic discharges involving tremendous
current paths linked between the atmosphere to earth and
return to the atmosphere. These current paths develop
seemingly instantaneous high voltage electrical fields. This
leads to electrocutions and electrical shocks at many
locations around the world, and causes a significant
monetary loss.
Reports on NFPA 780 Technical Committee activities are
made to the Type 1 Standards Coordinating Council (SCC)
18 of IEEE.
II. DEVELOPMENT AND MAKEUP OF NFPA 780
National Fire Protection Association 780 Standard for the
Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, 2011 Edition is
among the earliest documents adopted (from 1904, NFPA). It
was first published separate from, then combined with, a
parallel American Standards Association (ASA) (from 1911,
now ANSI) committee document in 1945 and was jointly
sponsored by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) (from
1904, now NIST) and AIEE (from 1884, now IEEE).
Originally identified as NFPA 78 through 1992, it was then
identified as NFPA 780, Standard for the Installation of
Lightning Protection Systems in 1995. Following the
requirements of NFPA Manual of Style (MOS), the text in
this edition has again been changed to make it more user
friendly and correlate with accepted document style. It

978-1-61284-127-4/11/$26.00 © 2011 IEEE


continues to note the random natural phenomenon of the
electrostatic discharge. The lightning frequency chart was
changed to the present flash density chart in 1998, and the
topic of open spaces protection was added in 2000. 2004
reflected additional requirements of the NFPA MOS,
provided for administration, referenced publications and
definitions in the first three chapters and then followed by
five technical chapters. It reduced the use of exceptions, SI
units were introduced throughout, and appendices were
identified as annexes. The section on surge suppression was
entirely rewritten, and “Faraday Cage” was changed to
“metallic cage” because the deflection mechanism was more
likely a lattice-like affair than that of solid strips as the
technical definition of Faraday Cage would indicate.
NFPA 780 now has a total of 10 chapters. They are:
Chapter 1 covers the administration of the document;
Chapter 2 its referenced publications; Chapter 3 contains
definitions of terms as used in NFPA 780; Chapter 4
ordinary structure (typical building or constructions; Chapter
5 addresses those that are not included in Chapter 4; Chapter
6 discusses smoke stacks normally used where combustion
by-products are dispersed at higher elevations; Chapter 7 will
be of interest where structures containing flammable vapors,
gases or liquids which emit flammable vapors are involved; a
new Chapter 8 now provides information for those concerned
about structure protection of explosives and other energetic
materials, a second new Chapter 9 is for wind turbine
generators. The new Chapter 9 resulted in the watercraft
protection chapter being incremented by one. This allows a
more logical placement of the new Chapters and is not
intended to lessen the importance of protecting watercraft. It
also has 15 Annexes (three of which are reserved for future
use): ranging from an annex which provides specific
additional information on certain sections within the main
document, to a tutorial on lightning protection principles and
related information to aid in minimizing side-flash issues,
and to expected maintenance and inspection guidance,
earthing measurement techniques. Additional information
can be found in the annexes where historically significant
natural or built protection is warranted or desired, cautions
on open space protections for persons and livestock, aircraft
parking areas, revised information on IEC methodology and
lightning risk assessment, and concluding with references for
additional reading. Immediately following these is an
extensive Index for locating specific terms or conditions.
III. DISCLAIMER
This report is not intended to provide a complete review,
or complete listing, of the many discussions behind the
978-1-61284-127-4/11/$26.00 © 2011 IEEE
Page 2 of 4
adopted text of this new edition of NFPA 780. It is to provide
an overview of the more critically important changes, so
users can quickly turn to their topics of interest. All
revisions, whether editorial or technical, are indicated by
vertical lines in the margin (margin bars) associated with the
changes. Text no longer applicable to a section or topic is
indicated by “dots” in the margin as well. It is therefore
important the previous edition be available for comparison
when reviewing the 2011 version and these can be obtained
by contacting NFPA, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA
02169-7471 (USA) or from www.nfpa.org. This edition, like
the others, depends upon the historical perspective of where
we were, where we are now, and gain advance knowledge of
future activities as they more and more relate to standards
from other parts of the world.
It is intended to apply to most structures exposed to this
naturally occurring event, and is enforced at many military
facilities as well as non-military locations. NFPA 780 is
intended to be adopted by local, state and/or federal
governmental entities and by insurance companies.
In order to apply the information from this paper within
the context of the complete document, a copy of NFPA 780
should be obtained from the National Fire Protection
Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts
02169-7471
IV. SCOPE AND CONTENT OF NFPA 780-2011
The Scope in Chapter 1 states the traditional lightning
protection system (LPS) installation applications and no
longer prohibits covering structures housing explosive
materials. It does not cover electric generating, transmission
and distribution systems because these are subject to unique
engineering review. However, these entities do have
membership on NPPA 780 TC, and utilize applicable
concepts. It goes on to further state it does not cover early
streamer emission or charge dissipation systems, and it’s
purpose is to provide for the safeguarding of persons and
property from hazards arising from exposure to lightning. It
is expected that components employed to meet this end are
listed or labeled for this application and are used wherever
possible. It is imperative that installations are made in a neat
and workmanship manner, because that is the least expensive
method to minimize unwanted direct or induced current
flows and unnecessary exposure to dangerous surge voltages
for both equipment and persons.
Chapter 2 specifically references NFPA 70, National
Electrical Code® 2011 Edition. Other standards are
Page 3 of 4
ANSI/UL 1449 Standard for Safety for Surge Protection
Devices, 3rd Edition September 29, 2009. Some text is
extracted from NFPA 70 and from NFPA 115 Standard for
Laser Fire Protection, 2008 Edition.
Definitions unique for the application of NFPA 780 are
contained within Chapter 3. Some are the primary definitions
as found in NFPA 70 Article 100, but in many instances, the
secondary meaning of common terms are utilized to ensure
the correct understanding of NFPA 780 requirements.
Among these latter are “grounding electrode” and “main
conductor” because they terminate strike discharge current
via a preferred conductive path to earth (ground) rather than
leaving it to random chance and that the current loop
involves returning to the atmosphere rather than back to a 60
HZ source. Definitions have been added to support the new
Chapter 10 and to better align the surge protection device
(SPD) definitions with ANSI/UL 1449.
Chapter 4 Section and Figure 4.1.2 have been revised for
clarity and employ common construction terminology.
Section 4.8.1(A) and (B) were moved to become part of
4.1.2, Section 4.9.2 text for dead-end runs on dormers was
clarified and Section 4.13.5.2 no longer restricts radials to a
maximum of 90O degree divergent angle. Section 4.14.1.3
provides requirements for LPS connections to gas piping,
and Sections 4.14.1.5 and A4.14.1.5 provides requirements
and information where galvanic corrosion are a concern
Section 4.16.1 specifies 4.8 mm (3/16 in) as the required
minimum thickness of metal structural framework members.
Section 4.18 for SPD has been extensively revised for clarity,
to correlate with NFPA MOS for documents, and also with
the new definition for voltage protection rating, and to
correlate with ANSI/UL 1449 Standard. Section 4.18.6.4.1
requires SPD grounding to comply with NFPA 70 National
Electrical Code, Chapter 8. A related note in A4.18.6.4.1
states that while good grounding is important, good bonding
is imperative to minimize damage.
Chapter 5 Section 5.2.2 states that electrically continuous
metal structures are required to bond only to a grounding
electrode or electrodes. Section 5.5 has been revised to allow
strike termination devices to be directly mounted on air-
inflated structures as well as the continued use of mast type
or catenary protection. Annex O material and Section 5.8
was replaced by new Chapter 9 Protection for Wind
Turbines. New text for Section 5.8 addresses roof-top
helipads and correlates with Federal Aviation Authority
Regulations.
Chapter 6 discusses heavy-duty (“tall”) stack protection,
Chapter 7 subpart for overhead catenary protection has been
moved into Chapter 4 for more general application, and has
additional information for flammable vapor protections.
978-1-61284-127-4/11/$26.00 © 2011 IEEE
Sections 7.3.2.6.3 and 7.3.2.6.4 revision requires mast or
overhead ground wires to be grounded and interconnected
with the structure grounding systems in compliance with
Chapter 4. Section 7.4.1.1 clarifies that fixed roof tanks and
any fixed roof internal floating roofs are not required to have
shunt or by-pass conductors. Section 7.4.1.2 provides
information on external floating-roof tanks for placement of
by-pass conductors and Section 7.4.1.5 new text requires
gauge or guide poles that penetrate the floating roof are to be
electrically insulated from that roof to 1 kV or greater.
New Chapter 8 includes information from 2008 Edition
Annex K and from the United States Department of Defense
for protection requirements for structures housing explosive
materials.
Section 5.8 was deleted and 2008 Edition Annex O
material for protection of wind turbines was placed into new
Chapter 9. This chapter does not cover the turbine blades and
related electrical generating equipment, essentially treating
this as another type of “tall” structure.
Chapter 10 (formerly Chapter 8) addresses LPS and
galvanic protection for watercraft. Section 10.5.3.4 allows a
main bonding grounding electrode to be single or multiple
solid conductor at least 0.09 mm2 (1 ft2) immersed during
normal operations, interconnected by at least one main
conductor.
Annex A contains additional information to provide more
detailed criteria on various requirements. Annex K was
deleted because of new Chapter 8, Annex L extensively
revised to incorporate addition information when performing
lightning risk assessment, Annex M Guide for Personnel
Safety from Lightning revised for clarity, Annex N was
deleted because of new Chapter 9, and Annex O now
provides for informational references.
Annex O was revised to include more military publications
due to new Chapter 8 Protection of Structures Housing
Explosive Materials.
V. FUTURE ISSUES
A proposal to add information for protection of airfield
lighting was held for additional study and to report back for
the next cycle. Text relocation for topic alignment and NFPA
Manual of Style issues will be continuing.
IEEE will need to review these to ensure they relate to the
IEEE Standard 142 Recommended Practice for Grounding of
Industrial and Commercial Power Systems (Green Book),

and are not in conflict with country specific codes or
standards, whether NFPA or IEC, or elsewhere.
BIOGRAPHY
Melvin K. Sanders (A
’88, M ’02, SM ’03) Mel
was Principal member for
IEEE on NFPA 780
Standard for Lightning
Protection Installation and
he received his Associate in
Liberal Arts from Des
Moines (IA) Area
Community College 1980.
A former instructor in
electrical apprenticeship
training, he now develops
978-1-61284-127-4/11/$26.00 © 2011 IEEE
Page 4 of 4
and presents Codes and Standards industrial electrical
application and safety programs, Mel remains a Principal on
NFPA 79 and was IEEE Principal on both NFPA 70-NEC
CMP 03 and NFPA 70B. He retired as Industrial
Maintenance Electrician John Deere Des Moines (IA), serves
as SAE HS 1738 Vice-Chair, and is a member of UL STP
508A and UL STP 810. Mel is a member of IAEI and its
Iowa Chapter and Western Section Past President, a member
of NFPA and SAE. He earlier received the Iowa State
Governor’s Award for Safety Education, the I & CPS
Departmental Award in 2005, awarded Iowa Chapter IAEI
Honorary Chapter Membership in April 2010 and the NFPA
Committee Service Award June 2010 for his efforts serving
NFPA Technical Committees.
Mel is IEEE-SA SB Official Board/Committee Standards
Chair of Coordinating Committee 18 IEEE-External
Representatives to NFPA 70, NFPA 70B, NFPA 70E, NFPA
73 and NFPA 780 Technical Committees.