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The necessity of lightning protection systems for playing fields juries in critical environments such as floodlights, metal fences
and sports grounds as well as the neighbouring spectator gal- and escape routes. More detailed information on this topic
leries is increasingly publicly discussed. Recent damage and can be found in the publications by the German Association
the increased thunderstorm frequency (Figure 9.22.1) under- for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE)
line that adequate protection measures are required. Light- (“Richtiges Verhalten bei Gewitter” [What to do in a thunder-
ning strikes to floodlights, spectator galleries, fences or even storm]) or by the German Committee for Lightning Protection
playing fields pose a high risk to sportspersons and specta- and Research (ABB) (e.g. “Überlegungen zum Blitzschlag an
tors. Persons who are directly hit by lightning or stand next dem Sportplatz in Wald-Michelbach am 08.08.2008” [Consid-
to lightning current carrying parts and carry partial lightning erations concerning the lightning strike to the sports ground
currents themselves as a result of flashover may be seriously in Wald-Michelbach on 08/08/2008]). Supplement 2 of the
injured or may even die. Persons who are not directly hit by latest German DIN EN 62305-3 standard describes how to in-
lightning, but stand next to the point of strike (potential gradi- stall fixed protection systems on buildings, lighting systems or
ent area) bridge a life-threatening voltage difference with their spectator galleries.
legs (step voltage) or by touching other persons. This results in
injuries such as ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrhythmia and Lightning protection for buildings / lightning
injuries caused panic. Therefore, the German building regula- equipotential bonding
tions of some federal states require the following: Covered stands, locker rooms and club houses provide shel-
ter in case of unexpected heavy rain and thunderstorms. A
Structures where a lightning strike can easily occur or lightning protection system according to class of LPS III as per
can have serious consequences due to their location, IEC 62305-3 (EN62305-3) is at least required for these types
type of construction or use must be equipped with of building. For uncovered spectator galleries, class of LPS II
permanently effective lightning protection systems. must be used according to Supplement 2 of the German
(Bavarian Building Regulation (Bay Bo), section 44) DIN EN 62305-3 standard. In case of a lightning strike, partial
lightning currents may also flow through metal fences, parts
This article also applies to sports grounds. of the spectator gallery, flagpoles or scoreboards. The result-
Therefore, experts defined organisational guidelines for behav- ing potential differences lead to uncontrolled flashover which
iour and warning notices which preventively warn of lightning causes fire and endangers persons and animals in close prox-
hazards. If hazards are recognised in time, dangerous areas imity. To prevent this, these parts must be conductively inter-
can be left and buildings or designated shelters can be sought. connected. Figure 9.22.2 shows the connection of a lightning
Additional lightning protection measures reduce the risk of in- protection system to the 230/400 V power supply system at

registered 3,000,000
lightning
strikes
2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Ref.: Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungsgesellschaft e.V. + BLIDS year
Figure 9.22.1 Number of lightning strikes registered in Germany from 1996 to 2011

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