Steeplejacks & Lightning Protection
Steeplejacks work at height on the parts of a building nobody else reaches: spires, towers, chimneys, flagpoles, weathervanes and finials. The work combines access, inspection and repair, and on historic buildings it usually includes lightning protection, since spires and towers are the most exposed elements of any structure and are frequently the tallest thing for some distance. The contractors in this category provide rope access and traditional laddering, high-level masonry and metalwork repair, and the installation, testing and certification of lightning protection systems.
What this category covers
- Rope access and traditional steeplejack access to towers and spires
- High-level masonry, pointing and metalwork repair
- Weathervane, finial, cross and flagpole repair and regilding
- Lightning protection design, installation and testing
- High-level inspection and condition reporting
A C Wallbridge & Company Ltd
STEEPLEJACKS AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR ENGINEERS: Wallbridge has been providing comprehensive and professional ...
Association of Technical Lightning & Access Specialists (ATLAS)
The Association of Technical Lightning & Access Specialists (ATLAS) is the trade ...
High-level work on towers and spires
Inspect before you scaffold. Rope access or drone inspection establishes what is actually wrong and how much access is needed, which frequently reduces a full scaffold to targeted access. On a tall structure that is the largest single cost in the job.
Test lightning protection regularly. Systems degrade: bonds corrode, tapes come loose, earth resistance changes and additions to the building get missed. Periodic testing to the current standard, with results recorded, is what insurers expect to see.
Do not add metal without considering protection. New handrails, cameras, aerials, lighting and rooflights at high level all change the lightning risk, and they need bonding into any existing system rather than being left as isolated conductors.
Combine the work while access is up. Pointing, weathervane repair, gilding, bird protection and clock face work are all far cheaper carried out in one visit. Access costs dominate high-level work, so plan a programme rather than reacting to individual defects.
Questions to ask
Does a church tower or spire need lightning protection?
Tall, isolated and exposed structures are at greater risk, and a risk assessment to the current standard determines what is appropriate. Many historic towers already have systems, and the practical issue is usually whether they are still tested, bonded and effective.
Is rope access an alternative to scaffolding?
For inspection and many localised repairs, yes, and it is considerably cheaper and less intrusive. Extensive repair, or work needing materials and working platforms, still requires scaffolding. Inspecting first usually establishes which is needed.
How often should lightning protection be tested?
The current standard sets inspection and testing intervals, commonly annual or biennial depending on the system and risk, with additional testing after alterations or a known strike. Records of testing are normally required by insurers.
All 2 businesses listed under Steeplejacks & Lightning Protection
Directory information is provided to help visitors identify potentially relevant specialists and suppliers. Inclusion does not constitute a recommendation, approval or guarantee by Tuscan Foundry Products. Please check current services, credentials, availability and suitability directly with each business.