A Study on the Current Status and Reduction Method Caused by Lightning at Educational Facilities

This study was aimed at identifying the causes of continuous failures, fires, and explosions of electrical and electronic systems in educational facilities that result from lightning, which occurs frequently during the summer. The study is also aimed at suggesting prevention measures for such damage. The installation status and problems of lightning protection systems (LPSs) were examined by analyzing the damage compensation data of the Korea Institute of Educational Facility Safety, a questionnaire and field survey, and related laws. A total of 49,989 educational facilities responded to the questionnaire. The survey indicated that out of all the educational facilities, 21% had external LPSs, 6.2% had internal LPSs, 4% had both internal and external LPSs, and only 2.5% had installed bonding in addition to internal and external LPSs. The LPSs were not installed properly because the heights of most educational facilities are less than 20 m although the Building Act stipulates that LPSs should be installed in buildings with a height of 20 m or more. Furthermore, periodic inspections and checkups were not performed because the Electric Utility Act does not apply to LPSs. However, starting in January 2021, the installation and management of LPSs will be conducted in accordance with the Korean Electric Equipment Regulation, which includes the standards for LPSs. A design using a field survey must be performed prior to the installation of LPSs. Based on the survey, an estimate should be calculated, and the design, construction, and supervision should be performed.