It only takes one lightning strike to shut down critical systems, damage expensive equipment, or cause a serious safety incident. Yet, many facilities continue to operate without a clear understanding of their actual exposure. That’s where a proper lightning risk assessment becomes essential—not optional.
At Skytree Scientific, we’ve worked with industrial plants, commercial complexes, solar farms, and telecom infrastructure across different regions. The common thread? Every site has a different risk profile, and no two solutions are the same. But all of them start in the same place: a well-executed risk assessment.
Let’s explore what lightning risk assessment involves, what mistakes to avoid, and how it fits into a broader protection strategy.
What Does a Lightning Risk Assessment Cover?
In simple terms, it’s a process that evaluates how likely your structure is to be affected by lightning, and what the consequences could be.
A thorough assessment considers:
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Building height and shape
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Local lightning strike density
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Nature of operations (equipment, occupancy, process criticality)
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Existing protections, if any
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Potential financial, functional, and safety impacts of a strike
For one of our clients—a data center in Pune—the turning point was a short power disruption traced back to a nearby strike. No direct hit, but enough to cause network failure and a cascade of issues. After a full lightning risk assessment, we recommended targeted surge protection, bonding improvements, and rework on the grounding setup. The outcome: better protection with minimal changes.
Where LRA Fits In
LRA, or Lightning Risk Analysis, is the technical core of the assessment process. It uses standardized models (such as IEC 62305 or NFPA 780) to calculate the level of risk and decide if protection is needed—and to what extent.
We’ve seen many cases where companies either do nothing or install more equipment than necessary. With LRA, you get clarity. No guesswork, just well-informed decisions.
How Software Supports Better Planning
Manual assessments can be time-consuming and inconsistent, especially when dealing with complex sites. That’s why we rely on purpose-built tools, like lightning protection design software, to run calculations, simulate strike scenarios, and produce documentation that aligns with international standards.
Software isn’t just about convenience—it helps ensure accuracy, consistency, and audit-ready reporting.
In a recent project involving a multi-building manufacturing campus, software allowed us to model each structure individually and identify which ones required full protection, and which only needed internal surge devices. That approach saved the client over ₹8 lakhs in unnecessary installations.
When Should You Do a Risk Assessment?
Ideally, before:
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A new site is constructed or occupied
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Adding sensitive electronic systems
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Expansion or major renovation
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Compliance audits or insurance evaluations
We also recommend updating the assessment every few years, especially if your operations have changed or you’re located in a high-strike region.
Final Thoughts
A lightning risk assessment isn’t about checking a box—it’s about understanding real risk and making practical choices to protect your people, equipment, and operations.
At Skytree Scientific, our team combines field experience with standards-based tools to deliver reliable assessments, clear reports, and cost-effective protection strategies. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need a review of your existing system, we’re ready to support you.
If lightning risk hasn’t been on your radar yet, now is a good time to bring it into the conversation. Because when it comes to lightning, prevention always costs less than repair.
