Businesses at risk from substandard lightning protection

Stone Technical Services, one of the UK’s most accredited lightning protection companies, has reported having to conduct works for a number of organisations in past months who have required emergency repairs to substandard lightning. Frequently, it has been discovered that works have been undertaken by unqualified contractors.

Dave Stone, managing director of Stone Technical Services, explained the risks businesses are running by not employing the correctly qualified contractors: “Failing to have the correct, industry-standard lightning protection can invalidate insurance policies, result in expensive damage to buildings, structures and technology, and even cause injury- or worse.”

Stone Technical Services, based in Darlington, provides specialist lightning protection installation to help prevent damage to buildings caused by lightning strikes and the costly repairs associated with them. They also ensure that systems are compliant for insurance purposes.

The company is one of the most highly accredited in the industry as a member of the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS), Lightning Conductor Engineers and also of the Steeplejack Training Group Association and operates to the highest compliance standards for lightning protection, BS EN 62305.

Stone outlined that installations of substandard lighting protection has been growing as a result of the downturn: “Because of difficult trading conditions, there are a growing number of businesses offering lightning protection as an extra service. However, the number that have the proper industry accreditations is dwindling and this concerns me. We’ve had to correct quite a few poor installations in recent months. My advice is to not be misled by cheap offers and check a company’s credentials.”

Stone is the approved contractor managing lightning protection on St Paul’s Cathedral and works with housing associations on developments, on historic structures, churches, war memorials, schools, offices and car parks.

As well as lightning protection, Stone Technical Services specialises in all aspects of high level maintenance, steeplejack services and restoration and masonry refurbishment projects on churches, museums, clock towers, castles, spires and historic buildings.

Last year, Stone Technical Services increased its workforce by a third and created 10 new jobs for local people to cope with the increased demand for its services. The company now employs a team of 30.