Lightning protection systems are very effective. More than 50 years ago, Underwriters Laboratories found that properly designed and correctly installed systems meeting the UL 96A installation standard are approximately 99% effective.
- Lightning is a very random act of nature.
- Lightning is very unpredictable.
- Ben Franklin is credited with inventing “lightning rods”. His famous kite experiment dates back to 1752.
- There are about 1,800 thunderstorms around the world at any given time.
- About 100 deaths and 1,000 injuries occur each year.
- Lightning is our #2 weather-related killer in the U.S. Lightning kills more people than hurricanes and tornadoes combined.
- Lightning causes billions of dollars in property damage each year.
- Lightning travels upwards and downwards.
- Lightning can reach temperatures of approximately 50,000°F. Very, very hot!!
- Lightning causes more than 30% of church fires and almost 20% of lumberyard fires.
