Will Your Home Survive the Next Lightning Storm? A Guide to Steel Frames and Electricity
The Australian summer brings not only scorching temperatures but also the potential for dramatic thunderstorms, which we’re all so used to! However, the question of how steel interacts with the unpredictable forces of nature, particularly lightning storms, often sparks concern, and it is a valid one.
For many years, we’ve been dedicated to crafting robust and dependable steel house frames for homes all over Brisbane. Witnessing their exceptional strength firsthand has given us invaluable insights into the material’s performance. The common misconception surrounding steel’s conductivity fuels anxieties about its vulnerability to lightning strikes. In this blog, we’ll embark on a journey to understand the science behind steel frames and electricity, demystifying their interaction and answering the critical question: Will your home withstand the next lightning storm?
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How often does lightning strike in Australia?
When lightning struck my childhood home decades ago, I’ll never forget the acrid smell of burning wood or the hole ripped through the roof. Fortunately, the fire brigade arrived quickly to douse the flames engulfing our beloved oak tree before they could spread to the house. Since then, I’ve been fascinated with lightning protection systems. The University of Western Australia reports that lightning strikes are a significant safety concern, claiming between 5 and 10 lives annually in Australia alone. Their data also reveals the sheer scale of the phenomenon, with an estimated 2,000 thunderstorms happening globally at any given time, unleashing a staggering 10 million lightning strikes daily.
Lightning can easily ignite a fire when it strikes vulnerable wooden structural elements like homes, cabins, etc. and vapourises moisture inside the wood. In addition, the extreme electric current from a lightning strike can destroy appliances, electronics, and electrical wiring while surging through power and telephone lines into your home. Recovering from a lightning-sparked house fire or electrical surge damage is extremely costly, stressful, and time-consuming.
The Science Behind Lightning
Have you ever witnessed the awe-inspiring spectacle of a lightning strike? Perhaps you’ve marvelled at its raw power, or maybe you’ve even felt the ground tremble under its force. Having been building and putting together steel frames for homes for years and having my childhood experience with lightning strikes, I’ve become invested in finding out more about lightning and how it impacts different kinds of structures. As a steel frame builder, I’ve always been fascinated by lightning and its potential impact on structures. Let’s find out the science that lies behind lightning so we can explore how it’s relevant to steel frame homes.
Hot Spark
Lightning is a captivating natural phenomenon—a large-scale spark discharge happening within the atmosphere or between the atmosphere and the Earth itself. During this powerful discharge, a highly conductive plasma channel is formed within the air, reaching temperatures exceeding 25,000°C. This intense heat rapidly expands the surrounding air, creating the familiar thunderclap that follows the lightning flash. Do you know how strikes of lightning leave you scared, yet at the same time in full awe of its wonder? That’s me!
Lightning Comes in Many Forms
I remember being huddled with my family on a stormy night, watching in awe as the sky cracked with energy. We saw the first strike of lightning that resembled a fork. It was like the lightning you’ve seen in the movies, a jagged bolt splitting the clouds with a blinding white light, followed by a thunderous roar that seemed to shake our entire house. But, a few minutes later, I witnessed a sheet of lightning that glowed, illuminating the sky for a second and lighting up our entire neighbourhood in a creepy way. This is when I realised that lightning does come in different forms.
If you’re a homeowner who has used steel frames as a structural foundation for their home, understanding the intricacies of lightning strikes is essential for ensuring the safety and security of our homes. Lightning can come in many forms and behave differently, manifesting within single clouds (intra-cloud), between clouds (cloud-to-cloud), or between clouds and the ground (cloud-to-ground). This last type, cloud-to-ground lightning, is the most relevant and potentially impactful for our steel structure homes.
Cloud-to-ground lightning also has classifications, with differences between negative and positive strikes. Negative strikes are more frequent and often associated with severe weather, while positive strikes, though less common, can be more intense and carry a higher risk of property damage. Finding out what kind of strikes are frequent in your area can help you prioritise the implementation of reliable grounding systems to dissipate energy, so you can minimise damage, or you can safeguard your electronic appliances and devices by investing in surge protection devices (SDP). Recognising and acknowledging these differences allows us to tailor our lightning protection strategies to improve the protection of our steel built homes and properties more effectively.
Steel House Frames and Lightning: What’s the relevance?
As homeowners, our primary concern lies in safeguarding our families and possessions from the elements of fury, among which lightning is included. Lightning, a powerful natural phenomenon, can pose a significant threat to our homes and well-being. But, despite misconceptions about steel house frames and trusses, homes built using steel house frames stand a higher chance of protecting you and your loved ones from lightning strikes, giving you peace of mind.
Power of Steel in Conductivity
Steel’s excellent conductivity serves as a natural shield during lightning strikes. When lightning strikes a steel-framed building or home, the electrical current doesn’t damage the interior. Instead, it finds a readily available path—the steel itself—and is safely diverted into the ground. This simple yet potent action significantly reduces the risk of damage to the building’s electrical systems, preventing potential fires and safeguarding your possessions and your loved ones. I remember a few years back when lightning stuck in our neighbourhood. Homes built with wooden frames didn’t survive the strike, while homes built with steel frames like ours withstood the lightning strike almost without a scratch. Let’s compare the conductivity, fire resistance, and durability of wood and steel frames.
Wood House Frames vs Prefab Steel Frames
| Feature | Wood House Frame | Steel House Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Conductivity | Poor | Excellent |
| Fire Resistance | Low | High |
| Durability | Moderate | Very high |
| Lightning Protection | Limited | Superior |
| Risk of Electrical Hazards | High | Low |
| Risk of Fire Damage | High | Low |
| Maintenance Requirements | High | Moderate |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
- Conductivity: Steel conducts electricity approximately 10,000 times better than wood. This means that steel frames can safely divert lightning strikes away from the building’s interior, while wood frames can allow the current to enter the building, potentially causing electrical fires and damage.
- Fire Resistance: Steel is non-combustible and has a melting point of over 2,500°F. This makes it highly resistant to fire damage, even in the event of a lightning strike. Wood, on the other hand, is a combustible material and can easily ignite, creating a significant fire hazard.
- Durability: Steel is a strong and resilient material that can withstand extreme weather conditions, including high winds, heavy rain, and snow. While wood is durable, it can still be damaged by natural elements, which make it weaker and more susceptible to lightning strikes.
- Lightning Protection: Because of steel’s excellent conductivity and fire-resistant properties, steel house frames offer better protection against lightning.
- Risk of Electrical Hazards: Woodhouse frames can easily burn from lightning strikes because of their poor conductivity. This can pose a significant electrical hazard to occupants and can damage the building’s electrical systems. Steel frames are the opposite, as they direct electricity away from the property.
- Risk of Fire Damage: The combination of poor conductivity and low fire resistance makes wood frames susceptible to fire damage from lightning strikes. Steel frames, on the other hand, are highly resistant to fire and are less likely to suffer fire damage in the event of a lightning strike.
- Maintenance Requirements: Steel frames require less maintenance than wood frames. They are less susceptible to rot, insect damage, and moisture problems. Wood frames, on the other hand, require regular maintenance to prevent rot, insect damage, and other problems.
- Cost: Steel frames are generally more expensive than wood frames. However, the long-term benefits of steel, such as its lower maintenance requirements and superior durability, can help offset the initial cost and give you a return of investment that you’ll be more than happy with.
Historical Steel Frame Buildings Defying Time in Australia
Ever wondered how iconic structures like the Sydney Opera House or Old Parliament House have endured the test of time? Discover the secret of their resilience: steel frames. These robust skeletons not only lend stunning designs strength and flexibility but also offer exceptional durability against the harsh Australian elements, including the unpredictable fury of lightning strikes.
- The Sydney Opera House (1973)
- Old Parliament House (1927)
- BHP Billiton Tower (1962)
Will My House Survive a Lightning Strike?
If your home is built with steel house frames, the answer is a resounding yes!
By choosing steel, you choose not just a building material but a haven of protection for your family and your belongings. Invest in peace of mind, knowing that your steel frame home stands resolute against even the fiercest storms. Remember, the journey to a secure and comfortable home starts with informed decisions. Consult with qualified steel frame builders and professionals at Tag Steel House Frames to ensure your steel frame house is built to the highest standards, offering you the ultimate protection against all kinds of weather.
Steel Frames for Houses FAQ
While steel frames offer inherent protection against lightning strikes, a direct hit can still leave lasting damage. Here’s a guide to help you identify potential signs that your steel-framed home may have been affected:
- Cracks
- Scorch marks
- Holes
- Suddenly malfunctioning electronic devices inside the home
- Melted electronic components, such as outlets and electrical wires
Yes, steel-framed homes can be retrofitted for better lightning protection. While steel inherently conducts electricity, proper grounding and additional safety measures can significantly enhance the home’s ability to withstand a lightning strike, such as installing metal roofing, lightning rods, and Surge Protection Devices (SPD).
If you feel uncomfortable with your steel house frames during storms, you can reinforce your home to protect it from lightning strikes by considering the following tips from steel house frame experts:
- Install a lightning protection system (LPS)
- Ensure proper grounding
- Use highly conductive materials
- Bond and interconnect components
- Don’t stand near tall objects
- Avoid touching conductive surfaces
- Use UL-listed LPS materials
- Consult with experts to get the right protection for your home
