NFPA 780 Chapter 8 Section 8.4 Interpretation

[StruggleEngr]

Hello All,

I work as a Facility Engineer for a government ammunition and explosive storage campus. I do not have much experience in a topic that comes up routinely: Lightning Protection, specifically NFPA 780 Chapter 8 Section 8.4.1 ground ring electrode. The following is the text from NFPA 780:
"8.4 Grounding.
8.4.1 General.
A ground ring electrode shall be required for all lightning protection systems on structures containing explosives, interconnecting all down conductors, structural steel, ground rods, and other grounding systems.
8.4.1.1
A ground ring electrode shall not be required for structures with areas of 500 ft2 (46.5 m2) or less or those that can be protected by a single mast or air terminal.
8.4.1.2
A ground ring electrode shall not be required for portable structures meeting the provisions of 8.7.4."

I understand the requirement for a ground ring around structures containing explosives. Does the above code require that the ground ring be dedicated to the Lightning Protection System only? If I need a grounding electrode for my service entrance panel, I cannot just run a grounding electrode conductor to the loop and call it good. The service entrance panel must have its own grounding electrode. I also somewhat understand the necessity to interconnect the systems as required in NFPA 780 Chapter 4. I want to ensure that I interpret the code so that I do not run afoul with the government client or any UL inspections.

 

[cdafd]

Highly suggest you contact a lightning protection company with your questions

 

[StruggleEngr]

Highly suggest you contact a lightning protection company with your questions

Hi, you are absolutely right. I have reached out to a Lightning Protection Specialist and installer we have worked with in the past. I was hoping maybe the community maybe have had similar experiences as my facility and could provide their interpretation.

Thank you,
SE