Objects having an impact on the environment due to the lightning stroke

Abstract

Operations of some objects, as for instance nuclear power plants (NPP), may be influenced by several, quite difficult to prevent natural events. In this group it is possible to distinguish earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, mudslide, drought, heavy downpour, strong wind, sandstorm, dust, high temperature, low temperature, lightning and so on. In the present contribution lightning phenomena is taking into account. The structures under consideration due to their location and spatial configuration are especially exposed to the lightning flashes with very heavy consequential effects. The complex construction as that of NPP may be classified as “critical structure”, which may be damage itself, but much important may be damages to its contents and to its surroundings, for instance, due to radioactive emissions. In the paper the selected aspects of lightning protection are presented and adequate conclusions are formulated.