Attachment_2_-_30_CES_VAFB_LPS_Design_Guidelines.pdf

th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg AFB

Engineering Design Guide – Lightning Protection Systems March 2012

Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) 1 of 5 Revision 0

1. SCOPE

These guidelines for lightning protections systems (LPS) provide direction on the design, installation and commissioning of complete LPS in compliance with the specifications and standards of the most current editions of Air Force Instruction AFI 32-1065, Air Force Space

Command Instruction AFSPCI 32-1065, AFI 32-1065 Supplement, the National Fire Protection

Association’s Lightning Protection Code NFPA-780, and AFMAN 91-201, Explosive Safety

Standards, including the AFSPC supplement, any Unified Facilities Criteria documents, and any project specific mission requirements shall also be applied. Design, installation, or repair of LPS systems, or subsystems shall comply with all portions of Air Force Instruction AFI 32-1065

(Grounding Systems) and NFPA 780 (Standard for Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, including the Appendices). If there is a conflict with publications listed in Attachment 1 of

AFI32-1065, the more stringent criteria will apply.

The purpose of this Design Guide is to provide for the specific design and installation requirements for LPS at Vandenberg AFB. It assigns specific criteria for the process of design evaluation, maintenance and material considerations, installer certifications, and method of final installation acceptance.

2. COMPLIANCE PUBLICATIONS (MANDATORY)

Publications listed below (including amendments, addenda, revisions, supplements, and errata) are a mandatory part of these guidelines to the extent referenced.

AFI 32-1065, Grounding Systems. 1 October 1998, or latest revision.

AFI 32-1065, AFSPC Supplement 1. Grounding Systems. 3 February 2003. Certified current as of 1 October 2009.

NFPA 780, Standards for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, most current edition.

AFSPCMAN 91-710, Range Safety User Requirements – Facilities and Structures.

Volume 5, Section 5.1.4 1. July 2004.

AFMAN 91-201, Explosive Safety Standards. 12 January 2011.

AFMAN 91-201, AFSPC Supplement, Explosive Safety Standards, 16 December 2011.

Unified Facilities Criteria.

ETL 11-12: Grounding, Bonding, Testing, and Record keeping for Communications

Facilities.

ETL 11-28: Mandatory Review and Update of Record Drawings for Nuclear-Capable

Weapons and Munitions Storage and Maintenance Facilities.

Attachment 2

Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg AFB

Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) 2 of 5

3. SUBMITTALS

The designer, installer, or repair contractor for projects with LPS requirements shall submit the following documentation prior to construction:

(1) Design analysis, drawings and construction specifications, (Final LPS drawings to be stamped by a California Registered Electrical Engineer), to include:

a. Scaled engineering drawings in pdf and AutoCAD format, using the most current

VAFB AutoCAD Standards. Drawing shall include plan views, elevations, sections, details, and notes showing, labeling, dimensioning, and describing all LPS elements (e.g., air terminals, masts, conductors, cable, wire, bonding, connections, grounding, surge protection, etc., including size and material type.

b. Rolling sphere zone of protection analysis with diagrams and calculations for side flash distances.

d. Manufacturer data, catalog cuts and description of all LPS elements (e.g., air terminals, masts, over head wires, grounding electrode system, surge protection, etc. including size and material type).

e. Any methods of mounting the system to the adjacent construction, or infrastructure.

f. Component UL certification documentation.

g. 30 CES Resident Engineer, 30 CES/CEO, 30 SW/SEAL, and 30 SW/SEW shall be provided the opportunity to participate in all development phases, design review meetings, and requests for proposal submittals.

h. Corrosion Analysis: Document compliance with the NFPA 780 on how the design resists corrosion.

i. NFPA 780 Risk Analysis documentation with recommendations. (Note: not all facilities require LPS protection.)

j. Report of soil resistivity tests. Where soil resistance is not less than the maximum allowable impedance, conductive cement or chemically enhanced soil shall be used to bring the resistance to all LPS ground elements to less than the listed requirements.

(2) Completed LPS Design and Inspection Checklist, Section 6A. (Note: LPS Checklist is a design and inspection compliance tool and should not be used as a means of interpretation for meeting requirements.)

Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg AFB

Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) 3 of 5

(3) Proof of Certification to Air Force Space Command recognized lightning protection course (for installing or repair contractor). LPS installation must be performed by a

California Licensed Electrical contractor.

(3) Any projects within explosive clear zones, within explosive licensed facilities, or deemed as Safety Critical must be coordinates with the 30 SW/SEAL, Range Safety office.

Prior to final acceptance:

(1) Letter of Certification stating project meets the intent of these guidelines, stamped by a

Registered Professional Engineer (see Sec. 5, Project Certification).

(2) As-Built drawings (stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer).

(3) Completed LPS Design and Inspection Checklist (All Sections). (Note: LPS Checklist is a design and inspection compliance tool and should not be used as a means of interpretation for meeting requirements.)

4. QUALIFICATIONS

Design: LPS designs shall be reviewed and approved by a Registered Professional Electrical

Engineer and Final design drawings, rolling sphere analysis, and side flash distance calculations shall be stamped by the Registered Professional Engineer proficient in LPS design and inspection.

Installation, Construction, and Repair: LPS construction contractors performing installation, construction or repair shall submit proof that all personnel testing, inspecting, repairing, modifying, or installing lightning protection and grounding systems are qualified, or that their work is inspected by a person who is qualified. At a minimum, there shall always be at least one qualified lightning and grounding system certifier at all times that has had suitable and adequate experience installing other lightning protection systems and is thoroughly familiar with test equipment operation; lightning protection, grounding, and bonding theory and practices;

referenced codes and standards; and specific requirements and procedures in these Guidelines.

Qualification of installation and repair certifier shall be through the successful passing of the Air

Force Space Command (AFSPC) recognized lightning protection course(s) and receiving the required certificate of completion. Personnel who have not worked in lightning and grounding for at least two full consecutive years must repeat the taking and successfully passing the sponsored lightning protection course(s) to be considered qualified.

The following course(s) are considered AFSPC acceptable courses:

Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg AFB

Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) 4 of 5

AMMO-47, Lightning Protection for Air Force Facilities, McAlester, OK o Note: Web based version of AMMO-47 cannot be used as the initial qualification course.

National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI), Advanced Technical Lightning Protection

Program, Denver, CO

5. PROJECT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION

Two weeks prior to final inspection, the installer shall submit four copies of a Letter of

Certification to the 30 CES Resident Engineer, 30 CES/CEO30 SW/SEAL, and 30 SW/SEW.

Certification that the lightning protection system has been properly installed and tested shall be accomplished by the submittal of a Letter of Certification stamped by a Registered Professional

Engineer, stating that the LPS has been inspected by a certified inspector (certified in accordance with AFI 32-1065 AFSPC Supplement 1, 3 Feb 2003) and that the system meets all requirements without deviation or variation to the requirements of these Guidelines. The letter shall identify, in detail, any deviations from the 100% design package, and the deviations identified, shall be included in the As-Built drawings. Critical facilities requiring deviations from requirements shall require relief requests to be submitted for review and approval by 30 SW/SEAL.

6. MATERIALS

All lightning protection materials and components shall comply in weight, size and composition with all requirements of AFI 32-1065, AFSPCI 32-1065, AFMAN 91-201, any associated

Supplements, and NFPA-780 lightning protection material Code requirements for the type of structure under consideration; whichever is more stringent.

Protection systems shall be made of materials that are resistant to corrosion or protected against corrosion. Combinations of materials that form electrolytic couples of such a nature that, in the presence of moisture, corrosion is accelerated shall not be used.

All installation materials shall be copper, bronze, or stainless steel. Any use of aluminum on

Vandenberg AFB (an area of excessive moisture) is prohibited for use. In the case of aluminum siding construction, copper lightning protection materials shall not be installed on or in contact with aluminum roofing, aluminum siding, or other aluminum surfaces. The designer or installing contractor shall contact 30 CES Resident Engineer and 30 CES/CEO in case of a conflict for direction.

Cadwelding: CADWELD connections are the preferred method of making LPS or grounding connections, because they will not deteriorate with age and remain unaffected by corrosive

Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg AFB

Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) 5 of 5 products to the same degree as copper. Mechanical or brazed connections shall be used only in cases where maintenance considerations require their use. The designer or installing contractor shall contact 30 CES Resident Engineer and 30 CES/CEO for approval of the use of mechanical or brazed connections.

Maintenance: The LPS design shall take maintenance into consideration. Integral systems are maintenance intensive and consideration shall be given for mast or catenary systems. Integral systems can be impracticable to reach on tall metallic roof systems and become a maintenance problem.