There are all kinds of ways fires can start - some very predictable and others a little bizarre and unexpected. However, the best way you can be prepared is to do your best to foresee as many risk factors as possible. One thing that can start fires but one we don't always think about is lightning. Yes, lightning. While it's rare that lightning strikes and causes fires, it's best to have that base covered, especially if you have objects on your building that could be potential lightning rods. Today we are going to look at a fire that started from a lightning strike, and see what lessons we can learn.
The National Fire Protection Association published a report about a fire that occurred on April 28, 1994, in St. Louis, Missouri. At St. Anthony of Padua in St. Louis at 8:26 a.m., a fire broke out in the combustible space below the roof, apparently due to a lightning bolt strike, which was the second that day. This building is set on a hill and is one of the tallest in the area. Lightning struck the cupola that was located at the center of the cross-shaped building. When the firefighters arrived, a church service was still in progress, and immediately, the attendees were told to evacuate.
Because of the threat of a vaulted ceiling collapse in the attic, the firefighters attempted to extinguish the fire from the outside rather than the inside. With 144 firefighters on the scene, the fire was brought under control by 10:25 am and declared finally extinguished by noon.
After investigation, it was determined that wood and other combustible materials in the cupola were the first to ignite, which then spread to the attic and roof. The church had a lightning protection system installed, but the installation and maintenance of this system didn't appear to be up to NFPA standards. It also appeared that modifications and repairs had been made to the system, but there was no indication that testing on the system had been done after these changes. Additionally, the lighting system could have been damaged during the first strike earlier that day, around 5 am, which disallowed the electricity from the lightning bolt to be guided safely to the ground. Thankfully, no one was killed in this fire, but there was a significant loss of property as well as damage.
While lightning strikes are very rare occurrences, it is best to be prepared. Your building should have a lightning protection system if it is required by law for your building. It's not a bad idea to have one installed, even if it's not required because you just never know. If your building does require it, you need to make sure the installation and maintenance are all up to standard, especially if there have been modifications, repairs or even a prior lightning strike.
This also serves as a warning to us that fires can break out in the most unexpected ways, during unplanned times. All protective measures should be in place - such as smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers and flameproofing. Having combustible materials treated with fire retardants is one of the primary ways you can keep a fire from raging out of control and destroying lives and property. Flameproofing treatments are extremely effective in containing a fire.
Certified Flameproofing is here to meet all your flameproofing needs as well as answer all your fire-related questions. Please call us today if we can be of service to you in your fire protection plan. We would also be happy to offer you a free, no-obligation quote: 800-590-5530.