Lightning as a fire trigger
About 10,000 lightning strikes hit buildings in Switzerland every year: This means that every third fire damage is due to a lightning strike.
Direct lightning strikes usually cause the greatest damage. In the worst case, they can set entire buildings on fire explosively. Indirect lightning strikes result in damage to electrical equipment such as televisions, computers or heating controls and are more common, as the Fire Prevention Advisory Service (BfB) writes.
Lightning also strikes next to towers, trees, power lines, and near bodies of water. Lightning is unpredictable and can strike several times in the same place. Lightning protection systems do not prevent strikes, according to BfB, but they do protect buildings from major damage. They would dissipate the lightning strikes and ensure that lightning is virtually harmless to buildings. Although the installation of such a system is only mandatory for particularly endangered buildings, a general installation is recommended. The cost of a lightning protection system would usually be one to two percent of the building insurance value.
According to the BfB, in buildings without lightning protection systems, the power plugs of electrical devices such as televisions and radios should be disconnected during a thunderstorm. It is recommended to have a surge protector installed by a specialist.
The following precautions apply during thunderstorms in houses without lightning protection systems:
- For sensitive electrical appliances such as televisions and computers, it is worth installing a surge protector. Otherwise, the plugs of the devices should be unplugged during a thunderstorm.
- Avoid contact with gas and water pipes, electrical installations or antenna cables.
- In the middle of the room is the safest during a thunderstorm. Protection is also provided by cars, railroad carriages or camping trailers.
