Risk calendar
The risk calendar marks key dates throughout the year to help you protect your church and those who use it.
It is common knowledge that tall buildings attract lightning and for centuries, the spires of churches have dominated the skylines making them particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes.
A single bolt of lightning can contain up to one billion volts of electricity. This can cause considerable structural damage if the bolt strikes a building.
The strike can cause an electrical surge and can trigger malfunctions, shutdowns and burn out the wiring. Telephones, computers, electric organs and alarm systems are all at risk.
Damage caused by lightning comes in two main forms:
Of course, there is no way to predict or prevent lightning strikes. The traditional defence for most Anglican churches has been a lightning conductor – a single Franklin rod (named because it was invented by Benjamin Franklin) leading from the top of the spire or tower, to an earth stake buried in the ground.
A modern approach to lightning protection is known as a Faraday Cage system, comprising a mesh of conductors laid at intervals over the roof and down the walls of the church, and connected to the ground by earth electrodes.
Ecclesiastical church insurance does provide cover for lightning strikes. Our risk management team offers the following advice to churches:
You can download our lightning guidance notes for more detailed advice.