Should the Builder of my building to install a Lightning Conductor after my building got hit by Lightning.?

Question

I live in Nasik Maharashtra India. Nasik has a history of thunder-storms and Lightning Strikes in the start of pre-monsoons (first few rains of the season). Last month my building got hit by Lightning and the corner of the roof parapet wall was totally destroyed. In total 10 people (including 4 members of my family) of our building miraculously escaped death that day when there was a shower of rubble from the roof (6th floor) of the building.

Is there any way I / My building society can pressurise the builder and / or the town planner to erect a lightning arrestor on our building.

Our Building is of ground + 5 Floors is there any other security equipment required on such tall building. Is there any website where i can see the rules and regulations of buildings and safety procedures to be provided by the builder in case of fire, lightning or any other eventuality.

Answer 1

I think it's up to the landlord, not the builder..if YOU own the property, then it's YOUR responsibilty to install a lightning conductor .. but if you are renting, then you have a case to make sure the owner gets it sorted, otherwise you should get the town planner involved
take care and be safe

Answer 2

It is easiest to understand this if any of these people took an actual electronics class like I have. Electricity flows on an atomic level. The reason the air is a poor conductor is mainly because it isn't a single substance, it is many different things mixed together (Nitrogen, oxygen, etc). The Rod on the other hand is a single substance that is a great conductor (probably Copper). What makes something a great conductor is if it has a single space open for an Electron in its last "Shell"(just like Copper does), the reason that works so well is because the charge can jump right in and back out without causing instability (it is simply replaced with the next electron), and not to mention that the atom was looking to fill the hole (like a negative charge). So thinking of electricity as a line of electrons, each will basically do a frog leap into and back out of each atom of Copper until it finds its way to the ground (literally at some point it will find its way to the Earth). If you put a very long conductive rod into the ground, it would work as a ground (that is where they get that term from). Electricity moves VERY quickly and will easily slip to the strongest ground. Much like if you were to take an empty 2 liter and put a small hole about 2 inches from the hole in the top, then filled it with water and turned it upside down with the cap off, some water may slip out the small hole, but it will naturally go for the big hole (in this case, because of Newton's Law). In the same way as the water experiment, some electricity will ground near the rod, but tiny amounts that could barely bother a fly. If you look at a picture of lightning, you will see these tiny strands of current around it, they do this because the ground's load is full and they will find the next best ground. Something else to know (while we are learning), the light from lightning actually starts at the ground and goes up, the exchange takes place just before you see the light, the light is a product of the event, it is not the event itself. I'll stop droning now : ) By the way, it doesn't look for the shortest or quickest path, it goes to the path with least resistance. Obviously a Copper rod connected to a good ground is much better than your son while he is wearing RUBBER shoes on cement, two very good insulators (non conductive substances).

Answer 3

Find or locate an Electrical or Civil Engineer in your area and ask them about what kind of grounding and lightening protection your biulding should have. They pretty much know all the biulding codes for your area, and will usually answer you question at no charge. Most engineers can also help you(r) building or whoever the owner may be, get funding to install the protection needed.

Answer 4

I would say that lightning equipment would be an option. If it wasn't shown on the plans, then you'll have to pay for the installation.

Answer 5

I don't know what the legalities are there for this. You can ask, but it remains to be seen if they'll do it.
You can get sergers for things like the PC and other plug ins. Or, make sure your insurance covers everything you own.

Answer 6

If it is not in your contract then he is not responsible. If you knew your area is susceptible to lightening then why did you not have it done at the time of completion? You could take it up with your zoning/planning board, take your contract with you. Lots of luck.