Faith communities across Canada are increasingly concerned about the potentially catastrophic risks that lightning can pose to buildings with tall spires, steeples or other structures. Faith buildings have innate features and architecture that put them at elevated risk. Although this issue is not new, a number of recent losses, including a total loss by fire, were the direct result of lightning strikes.
Such losses are often preventable. Most provinces in Canada require lightning protection systems to be installed under CSA Standard CAN / CSA-B72-M87 — Installation Code for Lightning Protection Systems. Churches are in the CSA’s highest risk category because of their height, construction, size and the presence of spires or steeples.
Our Findings
Ecclesiastical Insurance’s Risk Control Department recently inspected a number of churches that were thought to have adequate lightning protection. These surveys were carried out with a representative from a licensed¹ lightning protection company. Each of the lightning protection system inspected revealed serious deficiencies, illustrating the urgent need…
