BS EN IEC 62305-1:2024

The UK committee advises users that the BS EN IEC 62305 third edition series should be implemented in full as it would not be safe to implement parts 1, 3 and 4 of the third edition without having done a risk assessment in accordance with BS EN IEC 62305-2:2024.

What is BS EN IEC 62305-1:2024 - Protection against lightning general principles about? 

The first in a four-part international series on lightning protection measures, BS EN IEC 62305-1:2024 sets out general principles for protecting structures against lightning. The other standards in the series are: 

• BS EN IEC 62305-2 Risk management
• BS EN IEC 62305-3 Physical damage to structures and life hazard
• BS EN IEC 62305-4 Electrical and electronic systems within structures

Who is BS EN IEC 62305-1:2024 - Protection against lightning general principles for? 

BS EN IEC 62305-1 is essential for anyone directly or indirectly involved in lightning protection, most likely in the built environment, health and safety, risk management, and electrical engineering sectors. 

Specific users will include: 

• architects involved in the design and construction of large and critical buildings, including the retrofit installation of equipment in existing buildings having lightning protection;
  
• surveyors involved in design and construction of large and critical buildings including the retrofit installation of equipment in existing buildings having lightning protection;
  
• engineers involved in the design and manufacture of lightning protection components;
  
• builders involved in construction of large and critical buildings;
  
• facility managers involved in maintenance of large and critical buildings;
  
• electrical engineers in specialist earthing companies;
  
• high voltage engineers; and
  
• consultants and specification engineers.

What does BS EN IEC 62305-1:2024 - Protection against lightning general principles cover? 

BS EN IEC 62305-1:2024 provides general principles for the protection of structures against lightning, including their installations and contents as well as people.  

Why should you use the standards in the BS EN IEC 62305 series?

Efficacy: lightning discharges are an unpreventable and hazardous weather phenomenon. Protection measures are essential and the measures in the BS EN IEC 62305 series of standards are proven to be effective at reducing risk.

Assurance: the BS EN IEC 62305 series of standards give assurance that a building design provides adequate protection against lightning. It gives assurance that retrofitted equipment is sufficiently separated from lighting conductors and lightning bonded equipment, or if this isn’t possible, that appropriate bonding is performed. And it gives assurance that an appropriate maintenance cycle is adopted.

Knowledge: the BS EN IEC 62305 series of standards provide a robust, up-to-date understanding of the specific requirements of lightning earthing and, especially in Part 1, the electrical characteristics of lightning positive and negative strokes.

Empowerment: the BS EN IEC 62305 series of standards give users sufficient knowledge of lightning protection to understand the outcome of a lightning risk assessment and write specifications for installation and maintenance contracts.

What has changed?

BS EN IEC 62305-1:2024 constitutes a technical revision and includes the following significant technical changes:

1. reference to the IEC 62561 series is made in Annex D to provide a link to relevant lightning protection system components according to the IEC 62561 series;
2. risk management introduces the concept of types of loss with public relevance;
3. the concept of frequency of damage that can impair the availability of the internal systems within the structure has been introduced;
4. surge currents due to lightning flashes have been more accurately specified for SPD dimensioning in low-voltage power systems and in telecommunication systems.